10 Tips for Planning the Perfect Adult Trip
Plan the perfect adult trip by considering your own needs and focusing on what’s most important to you. For example, if you have a hard time sleeping, consider picking up some melatonin.
Start by setting aside some money for the trip. This can be done easily by putting money into a savings account or setting up an app like Venmo that lets you split shared expenses.
1. Decide Where You Want to Go
As adults, we have the freedom to explore a wide range of destinations and experiences. This is especially true for adult trips, which can be a wonderful way to reconnect with your partner or friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.
If you’re traveling with a group of adults, it’s important to decide where you want to go and what you want to do before making any plans. You may want to consider the weather and scenery, how much time you have off work or school, and your budget.
It’s also important to determine who is paying for what so there are no surprises later on. If one person is picking up the majority of the expenses, that’s okay, but make sure everyone understands that they’ll be responsible for some of the costs. This will prevent any resentment or feelings of unfairness down the road.
2. Make a List of Things You Want to Do
Once you’ve got the destination and the people sorted, it’s time to think about the activities. It’s important to have fun, but also make sure that the trip meets everyone’s needs and expectations.
For example, if someone isn’t an animal lover, they might not enjoy visiting the aquarium. Similarly, a young child might not be able to sit through an hour of character talks.
Having an idea of what you want to do can help with the planning process, and make the vacation more enjoyable once you arrive. One thing that Perrin recommends is limiting screen time during the trip, so everyone can focus on being present and enjoying each other’s company. This will help the experience feel less like a chore and more like a vacation! Also, don’t forget to grab a celebration button when you arrive at Disney World!
3. Set Aside Some Money
It’s important to save money for things like emergencies and retirement, but saving up for a vacation is also an inspiring goal. If you’re trying to figure out how to make your trip more affordable, try some of these smart strategies:
Set up a dedicated savings account and auto-deposit a certain amount from each paycheck. This will ensure that your savings account doesn’t even touch your checking and will build up quickly.
If you have some extra time, consider taking on a side job to put toward your trip. Babysitting, dog walking, bartending, and other part-time jobs can be easy ways to build up your trip fund without adding much extra stress to your life. This can be particularly helpful if your current income is already stretched thin.
4. Get Practical Things Out of the Way
Once you have a list in mind, it’s time to get practical. If your trip involves a long flight or car ride, make sure to pack travel pillows and eye masks for everyone so that they can be comfortable. Also consider bringing a few snacks to keep you from getting hungry, especially if your flight is delayed.
Also, be prepared for any weather conditions you might encounter by packing a jacket and/or umbrella. You can also use a few simple tricks to pack smarter, like rolling your clothes instead of folding them and bringing a binder clip to keep cords from tangling.
Lastly, be sure to bring any medications you might need, especially if your vacation is longer than a weekend. It’s a good idea to tire the kids out before leaving so you can sneak away for a little one-on-one time.
5. Make a Loose Schedule
Having an itinerary that’s too full can make your trip feel like a chore rather than a fun getaway. Plan your schedule with your family’s unique skill sets, dispositions, and comfort levels in mind to avoid crankiness or irritability, Perrin says. For example, if your kids tend to get bored easily on vacation, you might want to set up some “vacation tasks” for them in advance like creating a journal for the trip or choosing which paintings they want to see first at the museum. Having the children tire themselves out with activities early in the day might also help them sleep better at night.
6. Plan Ahead of Time
If you’re traveling with a group of young adults, it can be difficult to plan a trip that meets everyone’s needs. Many of these fledgling adults still have children to care for and bills to pay, so they’re often limited in the amount of time they can take off from work.
It’s important to leave your schedule open so that you can allow for last-minute changes and unexpected adventures. However, you should also be prepared to spend some time on your own if needed. This can be as simple as grabbing a morning coffee on your own or seeing that landmark that only you’re interested in seeing.
You should also be clear about who is paying for what. This can help prevent any misunderstandings that may arise. This is especially important if you’re inviting significant others along on the trip.
7. Leave Your Schedule Open
If you don’t want to overplan your trip, make sure that you leave some time open for unexpected opportunities. This will help you relax and enjoy your trip.
Perrin suggests that adults try to limit their smartphone and tablet use on vacation, and kids should be encouraged to bring something fun to do during downtime. For example, they could draw or write in a journal. This is a great way to keep them engaged and it also makes for a unique keepsake of the trip.
If you don’t want to unplug entirely, you can set an away message on your work email and voicemail, so that everyone knows that you will be unavailable while you are on vacation. You can also tell people that you will be unavailable by letting them know the dates of your trip ahead of time.
8. Unplug
Whether you’re escaping to the remote wilderness or simply enjoying time away from work, unplugging is essential. However, going off the grid requires more than just a commitment not to check your phone or vowing to limit social media and Slack use. You’ll need to plan a trip that demands your full attention.
For example, if you’re going backpacking, consider choosing an outfitter that offers guides with satellite phones for backcountry safety in case of an emergency. Similarly, if you’re planning a city vacation, save some of your favorite activities until the last day of your trip to end on a high note. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated! (Image credit: Unsplash)
9. End the Vacation on a High Note
The last thing you want is for your vacation to be a complete letdown. Whether you’re going to a beach or a big city, make sure to end your trip on a high note by saving the most exciting activity for the last day of your vacation.
Studies have shown that savoring an experience can help you enjoy it more. To savor your vacation, try noticing the things you’re smelling, hearing, touching, and tasting and letting those moments linger in your mind. This will help you create a more vivid memory to look back on when you get home! Also, make sure you have fun shopping for souvenirs and attending a final dinner. This will help you leave the vacation feeling happy and relaxed! The more you plan ahead of time, the better your vacation will be.
10. Plan Your Next Trip Today!
It’s important to have a rough idea of how much you want or need to spend. This will help you figure out what kind of trip you can go on, and also prevent any surprises later.
You can start saving money by cutting back on little things – that last drink out on Saturday, a movie next week, or your subscription to Spotify. Every small cut you make can get you one step closer to your dream vacation!
It’s also a good idea to set up a separate bank account for your travel funds. This will help you avoid accidentally using the money for something else and ensure that you aren’t taking the money out of your emergency fund. The more you save, the sooner you can book that trip! Good luck! And, as always, don’t forget to pack your sunglasses!
Plan the perfect adult trip by considering your own needs and focusing on what’s most important to you. For example, if you have a hard time sleeping, consider picking up some melatonin. Start by setting aside some money for the trip. This can be done easily by putting money into a savings account or setting…