So you're thinking of your dream vacation to INSERT BEAUTIFUL DESTINATION COUNTRY OF YOUR DREAMS HERE. You can't get it out of your mind and you know that it is time to make it happen.
If so, you may be like most first-time visitors and not realize exactly how expansive the area is and how long it takes to get from one place, to another. Or maybe it's how long it takes to fly from your home city to your long-awaited dream
And even if you’ve visited before, there are few tips that I think you’ll still find helpful when we plan your itinerary, because, let’s face it places change and sometimes our memories of a place aren’t quite as accurate as we would like to think!
You may start out thinking of these things one way, but when they are put into practice sometimes you learn something about yourself, I learn something about you, and we bring the. whole thing together in a wonderful plan that culminates in your dream come true.
Be Aware of Your Travel Style
Are you the type of person who likes to have a well laid out, tightly packed itinerary, complete with an hourly schedule? Or do you prefer a more relaxed approach, leaving plenty of time for random pursuits and exploration? Something in between?
It’s important to take into consideration your particular travel style and expectations before making ANY plans for your days. Acknowledging your preferences will help you decide just how much activity to plan for each of the days you are there.
Resist The Urge To Fill Every Day With Activity
I recommend leaving at least one day open for rest, relaxation and the opportunity to explore the area at your leisure. Even if you have a huge list of must-do's I know you’ll enjoy a more relaxed approach on at least one of your vacation days as it allows you to settle into your environment and leave those daily cares officially behind as you prepare to revel in the beauty/culture/ambiance of your destination.
Pace Yourself
I know it’s tempting to pack in as much sightseeing as possible, but, if you’re not careful you’ll end up exhausting yourself and sabotaging your entire vacation experience.
Try to envision yourself actually commuting from each stop, taking time to enjoy each one, taking great photos, and really connecting with the area. You might betraveling in a comfy motor coach, or have a private driver and guide - there is a difference in timing and your schedule will reflect that. However, this will help you decide just how many activities or sites you can realistically incorporate into your vacation.
The last thing you want to is to arrive home more exhausted than when you departed on your journey! Excited is good, exhausted...not so much.
Make a Short List
The hard truth is that you may not have enough time to visit absolutely everything you’d like to on this trip. Fortunately, you can always go back for more.
It’s important to rank the sites you’re most interested in before setting a plan in place. Make sure you’ve listed your “MUST SEE” spots out first, this way you can be sure to add them to the itinerary before it gets too full.
Manage Your Expectations
Make sure you plan a little extra time into your itinerary to account for any crowds, traffic, weather or any other delays that can occur outside of your control. Expecting the unexpected is a great way to ensure you relax and enjoy your time, instead of stressing over delays that can’t be helped.
As a side note, unexpected delays often lead to the best vacation stories and some incredible local discoveries! Managing your expectations ahead of time frees you to focus on the positive and be truly present in the moment, instead of checking your watch constantly to ensure you’re “on time”.
Your vacation time is very limited, and it’s important to plan carefully so you can maximize your time and investment. There’s also a bit of an emotional connection to your dream vacation. You have important memories to make, and ensuring you have ample opportunities to connect with your loved ones AND relax and recharge can be a tall order.
You want to soak up the vibe, participate in all the activities, and partake in the delicious cuisine while avoiding feeling rushed and pressured all the time. There’s a lot of pressure to plan for a perfect vacation down to the smallest detail.
I want to stop you right there.
There is no such thing as a perfect vacation. You are never going to be able to "do it all” in just one trip. There’s simply so much to see, do, and experience at that it is simply impossible to fit it all into one tidy little vacation period.
I am here to ensure that you get to do the things that are most meaningful to you. To help you develop a plan that will allow you to stop worrying about every little detail and actually enjoy your trip, including the unexpected moments: the hours spent laughing while waiting for a delayed flight, the unexpected storefront you stumble into to escape the rain, the restaurant you try when you miss your reservation.
I will help you create a flexible plan so that you can enjoy those moments and make memories that last a lifetime.
'til next week.
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Contact Juliet: GLOBAL EXOTIC ADVENTURES