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Need a break? Here are some steps to help you plan that dream trip
It’s that time of the year! Maybe you have annual leave to burn or expecting a big fat bonus. Perhaps you’re just pure exhausted from a year of work and feel like you need a break. Whatever your motivations may be, it sounds like a holiday is in the cards. Here are some suggestions to help you plan the best holiday ever.
1. Passport to your heart
So, you want a holiday. Now what? Well, dream big and find some inspiration! You can do this by listing out the places that you’ve always dreamed of visiting or maybe put a post online to ask friends for ideas. Make sure you set parameters if you’re asking for advice. Do you want a relaxing holiday or a busy one? How many days can you afford to be away for? What is the furthest distance you’re willing to travel? From these, you can make a short list of potential destinations that will make you happy. It’s really that plane and easy.
2. Digging the trip
Once you’ve got your list down, it’s time to do some research and read some reviews. They don’t just tell you what’s hot and what’s not but are also a great place to get a feel for the way different people have dealt with their various trips. There’s a lot to learn from other people’s experiences. Travel websites such as Expedia and Tripadvisor, or blogs by Asian travelers like Happy to Wander and Travel with Lakshmi – #asianpride – also help you imagine the trip better to see if it’s something you’d enjoy.
3. Don’t just wing it
It’s always good to have a plan. Whether you prefer to go #YOLO and take each day as it comes or have everything sorted out, a general plan is always useful when travelling. At least book your travel arrangements or have an idea for timings. If you take some time to do this way ahead of the holiday, you could also find the best and more affordable options. Online travel sites like Agoda, Skyscanner and Kayak are great places to start to see what options are available. You can also watch travel vlogs on YouTube for some ideas. Once you get an idea of your possible travel arrangements, visit the websites of airlines or train companies directly because you may get a better deal.
4. Flex it like it’s hot
If you have the luxury of time, make your plans well in advance of your trips. This way, travel tickets and hotels are much more affordable. If budget is an issue, you can also try to be as flexible as possible with your arrangements. Flights to the same destinations on different days of the week may have different prices, so shift your dates if you can. Depending on where you’re travelling to, hotels in some cities are cheaper on the weekends (or weekdays), so see how you can play around with your schedule to make this work. This is especially so when you’re travelling to more than one location.
5. Let’s get ready to rumble
Now that you’ve got your travel and accommodation arrangements sorted, it’s time to get yourself holiday ready. One great way to do this is to keep your exercise routine going. Whether you’re up for a beach holiday or one where you’re walking to one site to another, the fitter you are the better. Walking around tourist sites can take a lot out of you! Not to mention that beach bod you want to show off – you’ll want to sea to your fitness regime as early as possible. Make sure to set some fitness goals to help you achieve this!
6. It’s the final countdown
As the holiday is approaching, get yourself in the right mode. Turn on a Spotify holiday playlist while you’re packing will help put you in the right mood. Early packing means you won’t forget things – sunscreen, beach shorts, passports and other travel documents. Don’t work too hard before the trip because you don’t want to fall ill! And if you have the opportunity, why not say “Adios, beaches!” to your colleagues sooner by taking a day off ahead of the trip to start the holiday early?
