Travel is achievable on any level, do what you can right now, with what you have!

Flying over the Turnagain Arm in Alaska

Travel is not just for the rich and famous.

I consider travel to be an exploration of things you have not seen or experienced yet. This could mean something new down the block or a place far away from your community. Always keep your eyes open and your heart willing try new things. Some of the best “travel” options are free. No matter your budget the opportunity to travel, getaway, relax, or explore is open to everyone. Do what you can now, with what you have. Don’t wait!

My family has always considered me the “vacation guru”. Always finding new places to see or things to do, whether its in town or miles away. My hope with this blog is to help others plan their own vacations by providing ideas of things to do. Hopefully one of my post will motivate you to start planning a trip today!

Vacations to me are a priority.

If I do not travel often, I get cranky. For some they think you should only go one time per year, on that one big epic family vacation. That is great, but for me, I like to sprinkle trips or just day trips as much as I can. For some people, they like to spend money on hobbies, concerts, home décor, etc. Me, I would rather tuck that money away for an adventure.

Did you know that taking a vacation has several health benefits?

Study after study shows that the idea, the planning, and just the anticipation leading up to your trip offers great health benefits.

Health Benefits of Travel:

• Improved physical health, less stress equals lower risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Increased mental motivation, making you more focused and productive upon your return. The vacation acts as a mental reset improving your cognition.
• Improved family relationships, by spending quality time with loved ones.
• Decreased burnout from daily routines and the workplace.
• Boosted sense of happiness, with some people getting an elevated mood up to eight weeks before your vacation.

Birthday laughs from a recent trip!

Budget is usually a hot topic when it comes to travel.

How much or how little you want to spend is up to you and your families’ preferences. For me, most of the time, I am willing to stay at a budget hotel because you are only there to sleep and shower. When I go places, I want to experience as much as I can, and spend money on activities vs. luxury resorts. However, if you all you want to do is lounge by the pool then spending more on better lodging would make more sense. Length of your trip, how you’re getting there, how many are traveling with you, food preferences, etc. all must be considered when budgeting for a trip.

What can you do to start saving for your next vacation.

• Create a savings goal and stick to it.
• Open a dedicated account for your vacation fund.
• Pick up a side job and save the money. Uber and Doordash can be great ways to make extra money.
• Cut back on daily/weekly coffee.
• Skip eating out once a week and put that money in your fund.
• Utilize credit card cash back or travel rewards.
• Sign up for hotel and flight reward programs.
• Have a garage sale. (De-clutter your house and get money, a win-win for me) or put items on Facebook marketplace that you have been wanting to get rid of.
• Try to plan in advance to optimize savings. Book reservations early and look for sales or coupon codes. 

<a href="https://depositphotos.com/category/travel.html">Pile of coins, glass jar with dollar banknotes and inscription travel - depositphotos.com</a>

Use the internet, friends, and locals as resources for planning.

Once you have nailed down a spot to go, the planning and research can be overwhelming for some. You can find most everything you need to know online. Take your time, do your research, and things will be great. And even if the trip does not go exactly according to schedule, usually that just makes for better memories.

Tips to finding vacation ideas or things to do once you lock down a spot.

• Google. Google your destination and search for things to do, unique stops near “XYZ”, best places to eat, free things to do, best things for kids, etc. Gather these ideas into a list and start to form your itinerary.
• Trip Advisor. This is a great resource for reading reviews on excursions or planned activities. Learn from other’s tips, mistakes, and feedback.
• Facebook groups. Joining public/private groups for your destination will give you real time data on your location. I found the various groups to be so helpful when planning my recent trip to Alaska. People were willing to answer my questions, share itineraries, share real time pictures of them currently there, or even meet up for drinks (for those traveling solo). It was great to hear other peoples experiences and tips/tricks from their recent trip.
• Family and Friends. Ask your social group or relatives if they have been where you are going. Have them share pictures and videos to help you plan your trip. They can share their do’s and don’t to help you plan an unforgettable trip based on their own experiences.
• Use the phone. With everything being so online heavy when it comes to making reservations, buying tickets, booking excursions, and more sometimes it is nice to speak to a human. Call the hotel, call the local restaurant, and ask questions. Ask about the local weather, ask when crowds are lower, ask for tips for traveling to the area. You cannot beat the advice from a local. 

Using google to search for things to do at your destination

Once you arrive, live in the moment.

Once I get to my travel destination, I usually get a huge surge of energy. The excitement of new places and new surroundings is like a breath of fresh air. I usually unpack and get things settled in our room and then venture out to explore. Admittedly sometimes I cram too much sight-seeing and adventure but that is the way I like it. You can rest when you get home, lol.

Ways to enjoy your vacation more.

• Live like a local. Try to get away from the super touristy things every once in a while, to experience a “local” perspective.
• Remember you cannot do it all in one trip. Leave nuggets of things you can do on a return trip if possible. Get a little taste of everything so you walk away with an essence of the place.
• Put down the phone and disconnect from social media. Post a recap when you get back home.
• Go with the flow if things get cancelled or changed. If weather does not corporate, do your best to still make the most of it. You can’t control your surroundings but can control how you react.
• Say yes. New adventures can get you out of your comfort zone and give you a since of pride in tackling a new challenge or overcoming a fear.
• Enjoy each moment, take a moment for a deep breath, and take it all in. Then you can take photos and videos.
• A lifetime of memories. If you like to write, take a journal to recap your thoughts and memories from each day. Make a photo book when you return to enjoy the memories for years to come.

Sleeping in a tent on the Homer Spit, Alaska

In summary, whether it’s a short drive to the next town over to experience a new adventure or a 2-day road-trip away, make the most of your time on this planet and explore it. Please subscribe to my blog and enjoy new trip ideas each week.