www.ultimatetravelmagazine.com
Travel expert Joanna Hall, the editor of the Ultimate Travel Magazine, takes the stress out of planning a weekend getaway with her 10 clever tips.
For many people today, taking time off for a relaxing break isn’t easy. There are so many demands on our time, from work and families to hobbies and sports, that finding a spare week in your schedule to devote to “down time” can be challenging.
As we are all in need of a change of pace and scenery occasionally, the perfect solution to this dilemma is a weekend getaway.
If you have limited time, however, it’s important to give an escape plenty of thought, and devote plenty of time for planning.
Joanna Hall’s top 10 local travel tips:
Tip 1: What’s your goal?
One person may want to kick back around a pool with a cocktail, while another may want to spend some quiet time with their significant other.
We all have different reasons for taking a break, but before making plans, decide what you both want out of it. You only have a few days to enjoy, so it’s important to make the most of them.
Tip 2: Avoid too much travel
A luxury resort on the Great Barrier Reef or a cottage in the mountains may sound idyllic, but if you only have a couple of days free, you could end up spending most of them in a plane, or on the freeway, getting there.
One rule you can follow for a short break is to match the number of days you have free, with the number of hours it will take to get to a destination. For example, if you have three days off, then aim to travel no more than three hours to get there.
Tip 3: Decide on a budget
Thanks to the GFC, money has been a lot tighter for many people, so deciding what you can afford, before you choose where to go, is important.
Include money in your budget for meals, alcoholic drinks, and any additional leisure activities, such as sports or spa treatments. Once you have an idea of what you’re up for, you can then start to think about where you want to go, and the type of accommodation you can afford.
Tip 4: Choose your location
Budget and travelling time aside, choosing a location for a weekend getaway is critical. If your partner is active, for example, a quiet hideaway could be a disaster for him, and if you both enjoy gourmet food, a village with little more than a pub and a fish and chip shop could disappoint.
The key is to do your research; choose several destinations, and then see what’s on offer in each to suit both your needs.
Tip 5: Choose your accommodation
If you only have a couple of days off, your home away from home is also important. Self catering can be fun, and can save money, but cooking and washing dishes may not be your significant other’s idea of an idyllic getaway.
Choosing the right accommodation is also important if you are not planning to do much, or venture far; a fabulous room complete with a huge bed, a DVD player and a spa bath might be essential.
Tip 6: Research what else you can do in the area
Inclement weather can affect plans, so if you are aiming to include outdoor pursuits such as horse riding, surfing or hiking, check out what else you can do should rain strike.
Other things you can enjoy on a weekend break, regardless of what the weather’s doing, include eating out, going to a movie, and sightseeing, so it could be good to have alternative plans as a back-up.
Tip 7: Look your best before you head off
If you are heading off with your significant other, you will undoubtedly want to look your best, so grooming essentials, such as facials, spray tans, manicures and pedicures, can be arranged in the days leading up to your departure.
And if you really want to free up your time on the weekend, get your hair washed and blow-dried the day before.
Tip 8: Pack accordingly
It’s great to have plenty of choice when it comes to clothes, shoes and make-up, but taking too many things on a weekend break can end up being a pain.
Key things to remember when making choices include the time of year you are travelling, if you will be eating out somewhere special, and any leisure activities you may enjoy such as swimming or sports.
Try to limit yourself to one bag, and remember you never need as much as you think.
Tip 9: Get the car ready the night before
If you are going on a road trip, a great time saver is organising your car the night before you travel.
Make sure it is clean and has a full tank of petrol, the tyres are pumped, and pack any essentials, such as sports equipment, ahead of time. That way, when the morning comes, you can take off quickly and not have to worry!
Tip 10: Surprise, surprise!
Everyone loves a surprise, and one of the nicest things you can do for a loved one is give them a surprise getaway. Here, however, planning is even more critical than usual.
Top of your list should be choosing when to go, making sure that your other half doesn’t have any existing plans or appointments which can’t be missed. And if you need help, enlist your friends, but make sure they can be trusted with keeping a secret!
Joanna is the editor of the Ultimate Travel Magazine – Australia’s first online magazine dedicated to the best in luxury travel.
Further reading:
Don’t miss her tips on preventing lost luggage, or travel expose on when fakes have lethal consequences.
