The summer season is in full swing, bringing with it the siren song of sun, fun and a vacation getaway. For some, navigating the pre-planning and deal-searching over complicates an otherwise rejuvenating escape from the daily grind. Here at GetawayPackages.com, we like to keep it simple.
Whether you’re planning to travel across country or around the corner, take a month off or just a weekend, here are some of our favorite helpful tips to make your summer a blast instead of a bummer.
Maximize deal sites
Food and entertainment expenses can kill a travel budget, but only for those who are full-price fools. We know you’re not one of them, so use Groupon, LivingSocial, and Zozi to find deals in the city you visit. You’ll find savings anywhere from 40 to 80 percent off restaurants, spas, attractions, and experiences – it’s definitely the smartest way to maximize your spending power nowadays.
Get bountiful benefits with hotel packages
Streamline your planning and save big bucks by booking with a hotel that packages overnight stays with memorable experiences such as tickets to a local attraction, museum, theatre, or concert. You’ll find that packaged prices are cheaper than if you were purchase both separately. At GetawayPackages.com you can search for hotel packages all throughout the U.S. according to your travel interests. Plus, most packages include added perks like complementary dinners, spa treatments, welcome baskets, to sweeten the deals.
Choose your friends wisely
When it comes to traveling companions, make sure you’re truly compatible with any prospective travelmates before hitting the road and spell out any details in advance related to traveling expenses, sharing the driving responsibilities, and so on. En route to your destination in 90-degree heat, while stuck in traffic, is not the time to try and figure out who pays for what!
Take the time to pack
Smarter packing will make for a better trip, so don’t wait until the evening or morning before you leave. Check the weather forecast earlier in the week and plan ahead to lay-out what you’ll definitely want to take with you.
Downsize
“I wish I packed less” is an oft-repeated motto from returning travelers. Dresses, pants, jackets, shirts – all that clothing takes up space and will weigh you down. Streamline your travel wardrobe by only packing essentials that pull double-duty, such as shorts that you can rock on the beach or with dressier sandals for an evening out. Then, be ruthless with every item that you do pack and ask yourself if you really need it or not.
Pack healthy snacks
It’s amazing how much food affects your travels. Afterall, it’s way too easy to eat junk when you’re on the road – all that junk food is just too cheap and convenient to ignore! Make the smart decision to pack some healthy snacks when you’re on the go. You’ll feel more energized to take on bigger adventures, rather than laden with the urge to veg out in your hotel room.
Don’t get burned
Don’t forget to pack, and frequently apply, the most important summer travel essential — your favorite sunblock. There’s nothing that can ruin a vacation faster than a painful sunburn and walking around with lobster-pink skin. Enough said.
Eat like a local
One of the easiest ways to ensure an authentic experience anywhere you go is to look outside of the tourism office for advice. Both your taste buds and your wallet will thank you because you’ll avoid expensive tourist traps and save money by ordering area specialties.
End it with a bang
Arrange a special activity on one of the last days of your vacation, giving you something to anticipate with excitement and providing you with special memories to savor on the trip home. Depending on your locale, consider whitewater rafting, a sunset dinner cruise or perhaps a spectacular live performance.
Relax!
Your body is on vacation and your mind should be too. That means put down the smartphone, stop texting and leave that inbox alone. You won’t be able to truly relax and unwind if you stay plugged in to work. Tune out at the beach with energizing music. Pack a simple and fun book for the beach – this is not the time to catch up on tech news or industry newsletters!