Summer is here and now is the perfect time to schedule some much-needed vacation time for your family. But how do you start and where do you start? Whether you are looking to plan a perfect beach getaway, a trip to the mountains, a cross country road trip, or fly to Europe, here are some important tips to consider before you begin packing your bags.
Getting Started:
When planning your trip, start by deciding who is traveling. Nerd Wallet’s 2024 Summer Travel Report indicates that 42% of summer vacations this year will involve trips with the family, and another 39% include visiting family members over vacation.
Talk with family members about destinations that meet your family budget and discuss your expectations for travel. If you are traveling with children, consider travel time(s), daily schedules (including naptimes), mealtimes and amenities to keep them occupied. For older family members, keep mobility and accessibility in mind as you create your itinerary(s). Your destination should be one that can accommodate everybody traveling, and one that all parties can enjoy without breaking the bank.
Researching Your Destination and Itinerary:
To make the most out of your vacation time, learn about what you can experience at your destination.Traveling across the country by car? Schedule stops that appeal to your sense of wonder, love of nature or fascination with history. Visit museums, national parks, and other popular sites. Flying to another country? Check out books from your library on the locale, food, culture, language, or tourist hotspots. Websites like UpMenu, Yelp and TripAdvisor top the 10 best restaurant review sites. Visit them to help you plan for places to dine during your travels.
Investing in a travel agent to help you plan your trip can save you time and money, especially if your trip involves multiples cities or varied modes of travel. If you are interested in building your own plan, you can visit AAA.com for all types of planning resources including digital Tour Book guides. Consider using Google or travel internet sites such as Booking.com, Expedia.com, Kayak.com or Tripadvisor.com when booking flights or accommodations. Travel guru Peter Greenberg recommends websites like the National Weather Service to follow weather trends and storm predictions, or bringfido.com for hotels, restaurants and public venues that are pet friendly. DarkSkyMap.com provides the best views for night stargazing in 22 countries across 6 continents and includes a light pollution map, access by car, where to park, lunar phases and astronomy-friendly destinations.
Preparing for Your Trip:
Once you decide where to go, who is coming with you, and when you will be traveling it’s time to get ready! Preparing is more than just packing your clothes. You want to also include items that will simplify your trip and ease your anxieties.
- Make copies of key documents: Keep copies of drivers’ licenses/IDs, passports, hotel confirmations, and tickets
- Consider travel insurance: It can provide peace of mind if scenarios like medical emergencies, cancellations, and lost luggage occur.
- Check Your Phone:
- Make sure your calling plan includes international service if you will be traveling overseas or check that your data plan will have coverage over the course of your trip.
- Make sure you have enough memory to capture and save photos from your time away.
- Provide your Itinerary to a Friend/Family member at Home:Before you leave, share your itinerary with a close friend so someone knows your plans and how to reach you in case of an emergency.
When packing clothing - pack light. According to Midlife Globetrotter.com, the packing hacks to avoid overpacking include starting early. Start planning your wardrobe weeks in advance. Try putting everything together and consider keeping a limited color palette (so things can mix and match), add scarves as lightweight accessories and simplify jewelry options. Keep your total number of shoes to a max of four pairs. Consider packing cubes, which can be very useful. Pack your clothes a few days ahead of your departure to make sure everything fits in your bag. If you have too much, remove 10% to 20% of what you plan to take. When you return home, you can reflect on what was or wasn’t worn and why, which will help you pack for future trips. Don’t forget you can always shop on your vacation as well!
Small children add a layer of complexity when traveling, so remember to bring snacks, water bottles, small games, a book or two, a lovey or comfort item and a small toy that can be used as diversions. If you’re flying, book flights with enough layover time to avoid rushing and be as mindful of nap times when booking. Before long flights, help little ones release energy by letting them run around in waiting areas or indoor play areas before boarding.
Trip is Here:
Make sure you are packed and can rest well the night before. Take time to straighten up your living spaces before you leave, so you can return to a clean and organized home after your vacation. Try not to rush leaving the house, as you will be less likely to forget something. Enjoy the excitement of your upcoming travel and embrace every stage of your journey. Take pictures, try new foods, walk when you can, experience the new locale and environment to take in the change of scenery. Stay hydrated. Most of all, have the time of your life! While you travel take advantage of sites like Squarespace, WordPress, or Blogger to create a personal travel blog to share your experience with close friends. Don’t post on social media until you return to keep your home safe from burglars while you are away. After your trip, create scrapbooks or digital memory books to relive and treasure your travels for years to come.
For more information about travel insurance, reach out to www.hurleyinsurancegroup.com or call 910-868-3500.