Being impacted by the pandemic and the subsequent isolation have made many long for a vacation. Now that the outbreak has subsided, people are gradually looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors. However, a long vacation is not always possible due to work commitments or financial constraints. Sometimes, you just don’t have enough PTO left and have to squeeze your trip into a long weekend.
Don’t fret! There are several ways to make your mini-vacation into a memorable trip. If you plan ahead and prepare accordingly, you don’t have to rush around the whole time getting to different activities. You can actually relax and enjoy in the limited time you have. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing for your mini-vacation to get the best out of it.
Stay Where The Action Is
When you are already short on time, every minute counts. You don’t want to waste precious time traveling from your hotel to the activities you have planned and then back to the hotel at the end of the day. You will save lots of time by booking your stay at a place close to all the activities you plan to participate in, like the Gatlinburg cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains. If you can quickly get to your destination from your hotel or cabin, you will have more time to enjoy yourselves instead of rushing around the entire day. You can also stay out till late at night if you’re not worried about returning to a hotel far away.
Pack Light
Too much luggage can drag you down, whether traveling by air or taking a road trip. Taking fewer bags will make packing much easier and less time-consuming so that you can hit the road as soon as possible. Besides, the more bags you have, the more chances your airline loses one. Lost luggage can easily derail your entire trip. This is why it is important to pack only the necessities. If you plan on bringing a big suitcase, you will probably fill it with stuff you don’t need in order to fill the space. The key is to bring a backpack packed with only the essentials. Book a vacation rental that has a washer and dryer so you can do laundry and rewear your clothes on your vacation.
Make An Itinerary
Research the place you plan on visiting before your trip. Learning about the area will help you decide which activities you want to participate in and what sites you want to visit. If these decisions are left to the last minute, you will end up wasting precious time deciding what to do. Plan your vacation and make a detailed itinerary using a travel planning app. However, it is important to also leave some free time to explore anything new you might encounter and to stay relaxed during your trip.
Unplug And Recharge
On a mini-vacation, each minute counts. To maximize your relaxation, make sure to unplug from work calls and emails; maybe even consider taking a break from social media. When your vacation is a short one, you can easily ignore work without worrying that everything will implode in your absence, as you might fear on a longer vacation. Everything that can be put off till the next working day should be completely ignored. Your sole focus should be relaxing and enjoying your time with your friends and family.
Try Camping
The great thing about camping is that you don’t have to go very far to set up a campsite. You can camp in the woods behind your house, on the edge of a nearby lake, or in your nearest national park. This way, you can save the time that would ordinarily be spent traveling to and from your chosen vacation spot. Camping is also more affordable than your usual vacations as you don’t have to pay for hotel rooms. Campgrounds charge very minimal rates and camping in public-owned national parks is completely free. If you make sure to get good-quality camping equipment from Amazon, there is no reason why your camping trip won’t be full of fun and adventure.
Book A Group Tour
Group trips organized by travel companies have set itineraries that they follow religiously. You can book a short trip that will have you back home before you run out of your PTO. When you book a group trip, you get to meet loads of new people and make new friends. You have the option of traveling with a smaller group or with loads of people. Because of the travel company’s experience, you get to enjoy a lot of activities that you would not have been able to participate in if you had planned the trip yourself. You will also have a knowledgeable trip leader with you who will guide you through everything.
Consider A Road Trip
No matter how short a road trip is, it feels longer than a conventional vacation. The open road presents lots of opportunities for adventure, along with miles and miles of beautiful scenery. Stop at roadside attractions or take detours to visit a nearby landscape. Explore a new city or drive through a remote area; the choice is yours. Just make sure to pack your favorite snacks to munch on along the way.
Conclusion
A mini-vacation over the weekend can be just as fun as a long trip to a faraway place. You might not be able to travel to far-flung areas on a mini-vacation, but you can still make the most of your trip through proper planning and preparation.
Book your stay at a hotel or cabin that is situated close to the area you will be exploring. Make a detailed itinerary of your entire trip, so you don’t waste time deciding what to do. Pack a light backpack so you can relax and enjoy your vacation without worrying about lost luggage. Leave your work troubles behind, and don’t check your email while on your vacation so you can focus on relaxing. Try camping as it is the perfect vacation when you need to have an adventure but you’re short on time. A road trip or a group tour are also great ideas for a mini-vacation over the weekend.
If you keep these tips in mind, there is no reason why your mini-vacation won’t be as fulfilling and adventurous as any elaborate trip.
