Planning a vacation can be refreshing and exciting, but spending, budgeting, and scheduling concerns can be just the opposite. Here are some tips for planning your vacation so you can relax when it’s time to take your trip.
Start with a budget
The first step many people take when planning a vacation is to figure out their budget. Budgeting helps vacationers figure out what destinations they can afford, what accommodations they can choose from and how much money they’ll have to spend on a trip. After you’ve figured out your budget, you can move on to your next steps.
Know where you want to go
Once you’ve established your budget, picking a destination becomes easier. Vacations take many forms — from beaches in the tropics to ski chalets in the mountains — and narrowing down what you want from a trip is a key part of planning.
Book well in advance
Booking your vacation early means you’ll have more time to look for deals. That way, you have a chance to save money on flights, cruises, hotels and other amenities. Remember that prices can often increase as the date of a vacation nears.
While booking your trip ahead of time, if you have an eligible Citi card you can also use a travel portal like Citi Travel® to search for hotels, flights, car rentals and attractions.
Have a detailed itinerary
Some people don’t like to plan out their vacations too much, but having an itinerary can help keep a trip on track. The itinerary helps make sure vacationers can take advantage of all a destination has to offer without the stress of trying to plan it all at the last minute.
Plan your packing well in advance
Packing does not have to be a last-minute stressful sprint. Making a list ahead of time will help travelers keep track of what they need to bring and what they need to purchase before trip time, and it helps avoid any overpacking.
Give yourself time to relax
Once all the planning is done, it’s time to relax. Building free time into any vacation itinerary is a good way to remember the reason for a vacation in the first place.
Be flexible
Sometimes a dream vacation just can’t happen during the ideal time in your schedule. That’s why it’s important to stay flexible in your plans and be willing to take advantage of the best options available at the time. Being open to changing bookings, activities or even destinations can ensure a vacation stays relaxing and that all the planning will pay off.
