We all need a break from our lives from time to time. Working a 9 to 5 job makes us value our holiday time and it’s precious, therefore choosing how and where to spend our vacation is extremely important.
There are many physical and mental advantages to going traveling, so making the right choices about the experience you ‘need’ will bring the benefits you crave. Holiday vacation time should be valued, and proper planning will enable you to make the most of your days away.
In this article, we will help personalise and maximise your travel plans. Feet Do Travel share 7 tips to prepare for the perfect holiday vacation.
There are many physical and mental advantages to going traveling, so making the right choices about the experience you ‘need’ will bring the benefits you crave. Holiday vacation time should be valued, and proper planning will enable you to make the most of your days away.
In this article, we will help personalise and maximise your travel plans. Feet Do Travel share 7 tips to prepare for the perfect holiday vacation.
1. Can You Afford It?
This may seem obvious, but it’s the first thing you need to consider before continuing with your travel planning. There is no point going on the trip of a lifetime, only to return home to the misery of paying off debt for the following few years. Spending a lot of money also doesn’t guarantee the trip of a lifetime, and you can have an amazing experience on any budget, if you think clearly about your means, needs and expectations!
You need to ensure you are able to afford the trip by researching carefully based on the budget you can afford, and how you want to spend your time.
Make a plan to save more money if you want to visit somewhere outside of your budget, if you want to travel longer, or if you want more adventure when you’re away.
This may seem obvious, but it’s the first thing you need to consider before continuing with your travel planning. There is no point going on the trip of a lifetime, only to return home to the misery of paying off debt for the following few years. Spending a lot of money also doesn’t guarantee the trip of a lifetime, and you can have an amazing experience on any budget, if you think clearly about your means, needs and expectations!
You need to ensure you are able to afford the trip by researching carefully based on the budget you can afford, and how you want to spend your time.
Make a plan to save more money if you want to visit somewhere outside of your budget, if you want to travel longer, or if you want more adventure when you’re away.
2. Are You in the Right Headspace?
How you are feeling should be another factor to consider when choosing the way you’re spending your hard earned time and money. What you ‘want’ from your vacation is one consideration, but also what you ‘need’ from this time as well. You want a trip to a city, but do you really ‘need’ peace and quiet to reset? You may want a beach, but do you ‘need’ excitement and adventure to energise?
Assessing your mental state and understanding not just what you want, but also what you ‘need’ from your vacation will point your planning in the right direction. Think honestly and carefully.
How you are feeling should be another factor to consider when choosing the way you’re spending your hard earned time and money. What you ‘want’ from your vacation is one consideration, but also what you ‘need’ from this time as well. You want a trip to a city, but do you really ‘need’ peace and quiet to reset? You may want a beach, but do you ‘need’ excitement and adventure to energise?
Assessing your mental state and understanding not just what you want, but also what you ‘need’ from your vacation will point your planning in the right direction. Think honestly and carefully.
3. Do You Need a Beach Body?
Yes, we all want to have perfect curves in all the right places or 6-pack abs, but is it really important to have a beach body for your vacation? Developing a beach body takes time, hard work and dedication, however if you plan for an active adventure such as a hiking trip, then fitness will be far more important than the beach body look.
Don’t be fooled by city breaks either! You will discover that walking around a City can be just as tiring as a gym class and you can easily achieve 10+000 steps without knowing it. Being physically fit for all the walking required for sightseeing, or maybe swimming if you plan to try water sports such as surfing, of diving, or just being fitter to carry your bags is something that needs to be considered for whatever trip you are planning.
Yes, we all want to have perfect curves in all the right places or 6-pack abs, but is it really important to have a beach body for your vacation? Developing a beach body takes time, hard work and dedication, however if you plan for an active adventure such as a hiking trip, then fitness will be far more important than the beach body look.
Don’t be fooled by city breaks either! You will discover that walking around a City can be just as tiring as a gym class and you can easily achieve 10+000 steps without knowing it. Being physically fit for all the walking required for sightseeing, or maybe swimming if you plan to try water sports such as surfing, of diving, or just being fitter to carry your bags is something that needs to be considered for whatever trip you are planning.
Related Article: 4 Ways to Stay Active and Exercise on Vacation
4. Comfort zone considerations?
What has my comfort zone got to do with my vacation time you ask? Well quite a lot actually. Your vacation time is very limited, so taking in to consideration how far you want to push your limits of comfort during your trip away is very important.
Imagine planning a trip to Disney Land with your partner, only to discover they have a fear of theme park rides and don’t want to move outside of their comfort zone to try them. Or, if you push yourself to try something new because you ‘think you should’ rather than you ‘want to’, and you don’t enjoy it, this can really damage your valuable time away. We all want to challenge ourselves and push our limits from time to time, but with our limited vacation time, thinking in more detail about what we ‘need’ and ‘want’ from this time will allow us to make the best choices for us.
However, don't be afraid to push yourself outside of your comfort zone either. Maybe you enjoy snorkelling but are too scared to take the next step and try freediving or scuba diving. This is the perfect chance to get outside of your comfort zone, because in doing so you may surprise yourself and discover a world of adventure you never knew existed.
What has my comfort zone got to do with my vacation time you ask? Well quite a lot actually. Your vacation time is very limited, so taking in to consideration how far you want to push your limits of comfort during your trip away is very important.
Imagine planning a trip to Disney Land with your partner, only to discover they have a fear of theme park rides and don’t want to move outside of their comfort zone to try them. Or, if you push yourself to try something new because you ‘think you should’ rather than you ‘want to’, and you don’t enjoy it, this can really damage your valuable time away. We all want to challenge ourselves and push our limits from time to time, but with our limited vacation time, thinking in more detail about what we ‘need’ and ‘want’ from this time will allow us to make the best choices for us.
However, don't be afraid to push yourself outside of your comfort zone either. Maybe you enjoy snorkelling but are too scared to take the next step and try freediving or scuba diving. This is the perfect chance to get outside of your comfort zone, because in doing so you may surprise yourself and discover a world of adventure you never knew existed.
5. Don’t rule out solo travel
If no one is available to travel with you, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! Solo travel is liberating because the only person you have to please is yourself.
Solo travel means you can jet off and explore the world at your own pace, so being comfortable with this idea is important as it can be a game-changer, even though it may seem daunting.
There are a few things to consider before you head out by yourself. Make sure you leave your flight details with someone at home, stay in touch with people regularly (which isn’t difficult if you’re posting on social media!). For photographs, invest in a selfie stick and remote control, then you won’t have to rely on asking other people to capture your perfect picture.
If no one is available to travel with you, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! Solo travel is liberating because the only person you have to please is yourself.
Solo travel means you can jet off and explore the world at your own pace, so being comfortable with this idea is important as it can be a game-changer, even though it may seem daunting.
There are a few things to consider before you head out by yourself. Make sure you leave your flight details with someone at home, stay in touch with people regularly (which isn’t difficult if you’re posting on social media!). For photographs, invest in a selfie stick and remote control, then you won’t have to rely on asking other people to capture your perfect picture.
Related article: Hiking Solo? All you Need to Know
6. Pamper yourself with a mani-pedi
You will want to look great and feel great for all your Instagram photos, and this starts at home with a trip to your local beauty salon. Spruce up your hair with the perfect sun-streaked look by adding a few low-maintenance blonde highlights. An eyelash lift and tint will ensure you have luscious lashes all day long without having to wear mascara, which is perfect for activities or beach days. Don’t forget to book a mani-pedi so you can show off your French manicure in open-toe shoes or sandals.
A few beauty tips for when you’re away; always take a good moisturiser, especially if you plan to be in the sun. It’s so easy to forget to use sunscreen, especially if you don’t think the sun feels hot but you can easily burn on a cloudy day. For beach holidays, make sure you have a high SPF at least for the first few days, and if you don’t want to take after sun as well as moisturiser, anything with aloe vera with help keep your skin hydrated. Speaking of hydration, drink plenty of water when you’re away, being de-hydrated leads to headaches, dry skin, and can mean you don’t have the energy to enjoy yourself.
You will want to look great and feel great for all your Instagram photos, and this starts at home with a trip to your local beauty salon. Spruce up your hair with the perfect sun-streaked look by adding a few low-maintenance blonde highlights. An eyelash lift and tint will ensure you have luscious lashes all day long without having to wear mascara, which is perfect for activities or beach days. Don’t forget to book a mani-pedi so you can show off your French manicure in open-toe shoes or sandals.
A few beauty tips for when you’re away; always take a good moisturiser, especially if you plan to be in the sun. It’s so easy to forget to use sunscreen, especially if you don’t think the sun feels hot but you can easily burn on a cloudy day. For beach holidays, make sure you have a high SPF at least for the first few days, and if you don’t want to take after sun as well as moisturiser, anything with aloe vera with help keep your skin hydrated. Speaking of hydration, drink plenty of water when you’re away, being de-hydrated leads to headaches, dry skin, and can mean you don’t have the energy to enjoy yourself.
7. Shop for Holiday Essentials
One of the most exciting things about going away is having the chance to wear new outfits. For a beach holiday you will want a new bikini or sun hat, or for an adventure trip you may need decent hiking shoes.
Make time to go shopping for your holiday essentials so you can choose the perfect items. Be sure to write a list of what you need, but resist the urge to buy a complete new wardrobe as this will make packing a lot easier.
One of the most exciting things about going away is having the chance to wear new outfits. For a beach holiday you will want a new bikini or sun hat, or for an adventure trip you may need decent hiking shoes.
Make time to go shopping for your holiday essentials so you can choose the perfect items. Be sure to write a list of what you need, but resist the urge to buy a complete new wardrobe as this will make packing a lot easier.
Need more help? Check out these articles!
How to Take the Best Travel Photos
How to be a More Sustainable Tourist
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10 Tips for Booking the Right Hotel
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5 Tips for Finding Cheap Airfares
Ultimate Packing List for Worldwide Travel
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