Vacations are a highlight in every person’s calendar. Most of us count down the days until we jet off, hit the tarmac and sail into the sunset. When you spend time saving for trips or look forward to them for months or even years, it’s essential to get the best out of every adventure. In this guide, we’ll outline some top travel tips to help you get more out of your next vacation.
Read reviews and get recommendations
Online reviews carry more weight than ever. Reading reviews and asking fellow travelers for recommendations is a brilliant way to get information about destinations, hotels, airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, and restaurants.
If you’re searching for reviews, always use secure websites and check verified testimonials. It’s worth bearing in mind that everyone is different and reading a wide range of reviews. If you stumble across a resort that has hundreds of 5-star reviews and one negative comment, try not to zone in too much on the bad review. It’s also helpful to filter reviews to make your search more relevant. Think about the type of trip you’re booking, who is going, and the kind of accommodation you’re looking for. If you want a quiet hotel for couples, for example, or a family-friendly base, see what travelers with similar interests and travel goals rate.
Book tours and excursions
Some people want to escape it all or relax throughout their vacation. This is absolutely fine, but if you’d like to venture out of the resort or you’re keen to explore a different city or country or pursue cultural adventures, it’s worth booking tours and excursions. From ancient ruins, wildlife safaris and boat trips to jungle hikes, adventure sports and museums, palaces, castles, and temples, taking advantage of guided tours is an excellent way to discover new places and activities. Small group tours and private excursions are ideal for those who want to avoid crowds and really get to grips with the destination, while larger trips are great for those who want a whistle-stop tour on a budget. Consider your priorities, goals and how much you want to spend.
When you’re planning trips and tours, spend time researching agencies and operators. It’s wise to read client testimonials and reviews, check websites, and read the details and terms and conditions of each tour before booking. Always use secure websites.
Live like the locals
Traveling offers golden opportunities to immerse yourself in different cultures and learn about new places and people. One of the best ways to get more from your next vacation is to live like the locals. See which haunts are popular among residents, and ask the staff at the hotel or the owners of guesthouses or rentals for advice and recommendations. Often, hot spots for locals are located away from the bright lights of tourist tracks and they don’t always feature in glossy magazines and coffee table books. If you’re keen to get to know the location on a deeper level, leave time in your itinerary for spontaneous trips and places recommended by people you meet on your travels.
Research your destination
It’s easier than ever to book a vacation. Data from ABTA suggests that over 80% of people book vacations online. Now, you can find flights, book hotels or organize a package holiday at the touch of a button. Online booking is convenient, quick, and easy, but it does mean that travelers might not take the time to research as extensively as before. If you’re searching for places to visit, it’s worth taking time to read about destinations on your shortlist, seeing what there is to see and do, learning about history, cultures and traditions, and finding out more about what everyday life is like.
Tailor your itinerary
Everyone is unique, yet many people follow a template or blueprint when they travel. If you tend to do the same thing every time or go to the same places as other travelers, tailor your vacation itinerary next time you go away. Personalize your plans based on your interests, how you want to spend your time, what you want to do, where you want to go, and how you want to feel during your trip. Perhaps you want to rest and recharge your batteries, or maybe you want to explore cultural treasures. Maybe you want to indulge your inner action hero or you’re keen to learn to cook local dishes or see how local people live. Take inspiration from guidebook itineraries and other people, but make decisions based on your preferences.
Take the stress out of traveling
Hands up if you get stressed waiting for your luggage, standing in line at the check-in desk or trying to pack with minutes left before your cab arrives. If you’re waving a hand in the air, you’re not alone. Surveys show these are the parts of traveling people find most stressful.
We all want to enjoy every minute of well-earned vacations. Next time you take a trip, be proactive in taking the stress out of the break. Pack in advance, plan transfers with time to enjoy the airport experience, take advantage of perks like fast passes and VIP lounges, and don’t sweat the small stuff. The chances are that if there’s a wait once you land or at the passport checks, you’ll move through other parts of the funnel faster. Resist the temptation to jump up as soon as the plane hits the runway or rush to get to the luggage carousel. Take your time, relax, and look forward to the rest of the trip.
Traveling is one of the most wonderful ways to spend your time. If you’re planning a vacation or counting down the days until your next trip, there are some very simple ways to get more out of your break. Research your destination thoroughly, read reviews, ask for tips and recommendations, and live like the locals. Plan tours and excursions, tailor your itinerary to suit your goals, interests, and preferences, leave time to explore at leisure and add places and activities recommended by people you meet, and minimize travel stress.
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