You've made the decision to go on that
well-deserved vacation. You have a destination in mind. You have the finances.
You even have that tacky floral shirt washed and ironed. Everything's in place
for a wonderful time without any hitches... more or less.
The key to a successful vacation is planning.
The old college business program adage is as apropos today as it was years
ago... "Plan your work... work your plan!"
Although, the 'work' of a vacation is the
activities you wish to take part in - the tours for sightseeing, the leisure
beach time, and whatever else you wish.
Here's a 7-step plan of action for making your
vacation enjoyable:
- Plan Your Vacation Well in Advance
Planning as far ahead as you can reduce stress
in your life. There's none of that last-minute chaos of trying to get
transportation booked, car rentals finalized, or your route mapped out if it's
a road trip.
Having a trip planned in advance means the time
leading up to the trip is one of joyful anticipation, not fretful running
around. A well thought out trip with all the particulars finalized and in place
gives you the time to ease into your vacation. You can actually begin Day 1 of
your vacation on a high note instead of bewildered and dizzy from the hectic
days leading up to departure time.
- Start Packing Early Using a List
This ties into the first point because it's all
about planning ahead again. Write down a list of all the things you'll need for
your vacation. Pack them as you can in the days leading up to departure. Cross
these items off the list as you do. This helps make sure you don't leave
without those items important to you, such as that tacky floral shirt.
Arrive on Time to Get in Line
In fact, arrive early for that flight, train
ride, boat cruise, or bus trip you're taking. It's all about those
aforementioned stress levels. After all your planning, you don't want your
travel day to be one of migraine headaches and such because you're on a
last-second blitz to get to the departure area on time.
- Have Your Travel Essentials Ready
For traveling day or days... have those
essentials you need at hand. Of course, abide by the stipulations of the
airline or other carriers you use. In your carry on bag, have the travel
tickets, identification, passports, itinerary details, notes, personal items,
medications, and more than you need to ensure a comfortable trip.
- Have Maps and/or GPS at the Ready
Once your carrier gets you to where you should
be, have a map or GPS on hand so you can get yourself the rest of the way. Take
advantage of help from information booths, tour guides, assistance from local
business people, and others to help you negotiate the highways and byways of
the cities and towns you're visiting.
- Think Security
An enjoyable vacation is a safe vacation. Be
security conscious as you travel - always - without being paranoid. Be wise; be
aware of where you are at all times. Be aware of who is in the vicinity at all
times. Be aware of your belongings at all times. Know the fire escape rules of
where you're staying. Know emergency numbers for whatever place you're
visiting.
- Plan Each Vacation Day
A great vacation is a vacation that has a
purpose... each day. You don't have to get out a detailed planner and adhere to
it minute-by-minute. You should have, however, an idea of what you want to do
each day - at what times and where. In this way, you don't waste your precious
vacation time.
Is laying on the beach with one of those
umbrella drinks and a good spy novel one of your vacation goals? Great! Just
plan what days or days you're going to be doing that... so it doesn't conflict
with your significant other's plan to visit that chocolate molding factory
they've been dying to see.
Because... as you know planning a vacation is
also about compromise... but that's a topic for another day...
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