source: unwiht
I don’t know about you all, but I think that planning a vacation is at least half the fun.
When you’re planning, you imagine everything going just so, and there are no fussy babies, teething toddlers, sick kids or moody teenagers on your trip. The anticipation of the trip can oftentimes be better than the trip itself!
While it’s futile to hope for a perfect vacation (where would the fun be in that?), planning ahead can eliminate at least some of the stress that inevitably comes from being away from home and in an unfamiliar place, leaving you more time and energy to enjoy your vacation.
Whether you’re staying home to take advantage of some quality time with the family without the expense of traveling or heading off for an annual trip to the beach, we’ll be looking at stress-free vacation planning this week.
Let’s start with some basic questions:
The Basics
:: Have you decided between a vacation or staycation this year?
:: Do you have your dates scheduled already?
:: Have you taken time off work and rescheduled any lessons or childcare for that week?
:: Do you have a vacation fund or have you set a budget?
Who and Where
:: Will you be vacationing with just your immediate family, or will extended family and/or friends be joining you?
:: Do you have babies and toddlers to accommodate? Teens or young adults?
:: Will you be staying home or heading to a familiar spot, or are you going somewhere new that you’ve never visited before?
:: Will the weather affect your vacation plans?
:: Do you need to purchase tickets in advance for any events or attractions?
Accomodations
:: Will you be driving or flying to your destination? Do you need to rent a vehicle or buy plane tickets?
:: Will you be staying with someone you know or in a hotel, condo or rental home?
:: Do you need any supplies or gear that you don’t already have (i.e., camping gear, beach gear, etc.)?
:: Do you need any special accommodations such as a crib or handicap access?
:: Will you be cooking your own meals or eating out?
Do you prefer a structured schedule or a more laissez-faire approach to vacation? Has the economy affected your vacation plans for this year?
