Planning an Outdoor Getaway

Everyone loves a good vacation, but not everyone enjoys planning it. Let’s face it, trip planning can be a hassle—you have to set a budget, make reservations, book flights, file for a leave, and do a dozen other things. And even when you’ve planned it to the minute, something’s always bound to change, and your plans don’t get followed anyway.

Well, here’s the good news: you can plan the perfect outdoor getaway, and you don’t have to be a travel agent to do it. With flights, hotel bookings, and even restaurant reservations available online, you can plan your entire trip in just a few minutes! Here are some tips to help you get started.

Do your research.

The first thing you should ask yourself is: Is it a good place? When it comes to outdoor trips, “good” means it’s tourist-friendly, the climate is good, and the living costs are within your budget. When you’ve chosen your destination, read up on the place and see what time is best to visit and what seasonal activities they have to offer. Are there any good places to stay and eat? What are the must-see places? Do you need any vaccinations? These are all reasonable questions, so don’t hesitate to ask around.

Read the forecasts, but be prepared anyway.

The paper may say it’s the middle of summer, but don’t assume it won’t rain even once during your stay. Pack weather-appropriate clothes, but thrown in a coat and umbrella just in case. Use the weather forecast as a rough guide; don’t plan your entire vacation around it. If you have time, look up alternate activities you can try in case your plans don’t pan out.

Don’t forget your home.

You may be on vacation, but the bills will keep on coming. Before leaving, make sure there’s someone to pick up the paper, feed your dog, water your plants, and look after your home in general. Call your phone company to see if they can redirect calls to your mobile when you’re away. Call home regularly to make sure everything’s in place. If possible, leave them your mobile number or the number of your hotel so they can call you if there’s an emergency.

Get travel insurance.

You never know what will happen, but you can’t be too safe. Travel insurance will cover hospital costs, medications, and sometimes even your return trip if something happens during your vacation. Your current insurance company may offer temporary travel insurance. Be sure to set it up at least a month in advance. Note that coverage may vary from one destination to another, and some companies don’t offer insurance for notoriously unsafe places.

Confirm everything.

Booking online can be convenient, but it’s not always safe. A reliable site should give you a confirmation or reference number for your transaction, or a printable form you can present upon check-in. Even so, it won’t hurt to call the company and personally confirm your reservation. The safest way is to deal with a local company with an office near you, so you can get actual confirmation and easily reach them if there are any problems.

Don’t over-plan.

Sometimes it’s the unexpected turns that make your trip fun. Besides, something’s always bound to come up, and planning every minute will only leave you frustrated. Make a general outline of what you want to do, but leave room for the occasional picnic or impromptu hike. It helps to arrange activities by priority—if you see something you’d like to try, just cross out the last one on your list to make room for it.