A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in. ~Robert Orben

Are you burned out from work? Feeling like you need to just stomp on your phone, unplug the laptop and let the battery die…and not come back for a few days? Maybe you’ve been planning your vacation for a long time and it’s been building with anticipation. Perhaps you’re just browsing the web and have run across this article because you’re daydreaming of a break. Anyway you look at it, chances are good that you deserve a vacation. But as soon as you start to organize your vacation, you quickly realize just how many details have to be thought out and taken care of! By the time you’re done and have your itinerary laid out, the cash set aside, the car checked over…it’s caused more stress than future relaxation! While I can’t do all of this for you…I can give you some pointers and tips for making this next vacation as ease and stress-free as possible.

1. “Pack double the money and half the clothes.” Ah, how wise the seasoned traveler who said this. It’s so true. We’ve ALL been there; take a trip somewhere and the small expenses quickly add up. The key here is to budget as much as possible. Find out how much it’s going to cost where you’re going, how much gas is required, food costs, etc. This exercise will allow you to calculate the bare minimum amount of money you’ll need. The reason we pack double the money is simple: no one likes counting the pennies on vacation. Being stress free is more important than being thrifty or frugal. Enjoy life and your time off. It may take some more saving, but not worrying about how much you have to spend is a huge piece to getting the full R and R you want.

2. “Passport please.” This one is really only for those of you going international, but is still important. Before going anywhere, make sure you have all your travel documents with you and in a secure place. Nothing is more inconvenient and annoying than waiting in line to get your plane tickets or arriving at your destination and not being able to find your documents. Even if you’re merely traveling from city to city, print copies of important documents such as confirmation information for your flight, rental car and hotel reservations. Proof that you reserved a hotel room or tickets for a certain event will make things a whole lot easier if you run into complications. It’s like insurance. No one wants it or sees a point in it until they need it. Then they’re sure glad they have it!

3. “Are we lost?” I’ve always been a person who enjoys the journey over the destination. Ultimately, your destination is just to arrive back on the front steps of your house, isn’t it? Until then, you should be a bit more relaxed…go where you want, when you want, and how you want. Some friends and I returned from a roadtrip yesterday. While on the road one of them complained endlessly because I would take wrong turns or head into a part of town I didn’t know. It was a blast just listening to how worked up he got…to which I told him “If nothing else, we know a bit more about the area now!” Unless you have to be somewhere by a set time, take your time and have a bit of an adventure!

4. Bring a book. You never know when you’re going to experience some down time. You might end up stuck on a plane, riding in the car or experience an unplanned event such as a power outage. A book will entertain you where ever you are and can be therapeutic in itself.

5. Keep your memories! Bring a camera. For a while, put away your critical self. You’re on vacation! Take too many pictures. Keep your camera charged and ready at all times. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ‘wished’ I had a camera. So many moments pass in a few seconds. By the time you dig in your purse or run out to your vehicle to get the camera, the moment’s passed. When you’re back at home, those pictures are going to bring back great memories, great stories and great conversations.

Have fun on your vacation across the country or across the street. Relax…take some time to enjoy the simple things. Cast aside the worries and stress of your workplace. Turn off the phone, the laptop and whatever else you have that beeps or vibrates. Don’t let anything get to you. You’ll one day look back on those down times with a smile on your face.
__________

Additional articles you might enjoy:

Vacation Packing Lists and Tips
10 Tips for an Affordable Family Vacation
Tips for Finding the Best Vacation Deals