Americans lag behind the rest of the world in vacation time. We are 41st in a 2007 survey conducted by the human resources firm Mercer in time off and paid holidays averaging 25 per year. Finland in contrast offers its workers 30 paid vacation days and 14 paid holidays. So when it comes time for a vacation, planning is the key to make best use of that scant time off. Here are some tips.
What do you want to do? For some people puttering around the house is break enough from work. Since I work from home, that won't do. I have to get involved in something that is so engaging that I can't decide to power up the computer and catch up on accounting, or the article I owe, or the video that needs to be cut.
Think of a vacation as your time. What would you do if you had no obligations? I love backpacking, skiing, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, tennis, cycling, camping and more. What either relaxes or thrills you and would give you a respite from day to day activity?
With whom do you want to go? Do you have a significant other who shares your passions? Perhaps you have family members and any vacation has to accommodate them as well. If you're single you might want to join other singles through a group like Sierra Club Singles or through your alumni association. Retirees can travel at discounts through the AARP.
How much do you want to spend? This is a key factor. Despite the old sales pitch, "fly now pay later," it's really a lot better to have the money in hand before you go anywhere. Keeping within a budget is not being a killjoy. It's realistic. You'll only resent paying bills later if you wildly charge on your credit cards if there is no tomorrow. Plus, a budget will directly shape what you do, and ultimately where you go. You don't have to spend a lot for a relaxing, satisfying get away. A few nights of camping can clear the city air from your lungs and give you a fresh outlook.
Where do you want to go? The world is your playground, but in a post 9/11 world, you'll increasingly need a passport. Before January 2007, American citizens were able to travel to Canada, Mexico and several Caribbean countries without passports. I passed back and forth with just a driver's license. As of now, a passport is required as part of an increase in border security.
Since passport offices were overwhelmed, a reprieve was issued through September 2007 as long as citizens carry government issued photo identification and proof of a passport application.
To travel through the U.S., no identification is legally required, however carrying a photo ID is a good idea.
If you are traveling far from home, be sure to get a good guide book. Lonely Planet makes a first rate series, complete with a lot of helpful phrases in the back.
What do you want to take? Have you every traveled to a distant locale, opened your bag and realized that you simply didn't take a key piece that you needed? It can be something as simple as a map, reading glasses or batteries for that digital camera. I've learned the hard way to prepare a travel check list that I keep in my computer for all seasons. Yes, I won't need a scarf in summer, but I'll never forget the first time in years that I visited the East Coast in the July after living in California. The plane landed at JFK in a rain storm. In 27 years in Los Angeles, I've seen it rain in the summer twice. Guess who hadn't brought an umbrella or rain coat. A check list will save you from getting gouged while traveling when you need to buy forgotten essentials.
Plan well in advance. July 4th, I flew to Boston for a family reunion. Since I was on the airline site anyway, I checked the prices of flights for my Christmas return. In a single month, the flights have gone up more than $100.00. Campsites in Yosemite Valley are sold out months in advance. In fact, some family's book the same weekend every year. Holiday weekends are booked far in advance. Once you've gone through the vacation steps outlined, secure your tickets and reservations as early as possible, to avoid disappointment.
There is a great temptation to be spontaneous, however thanks to the internet it is now easier than ever to plan an itinerary with maps, and book reservations well in advance on line. Through discount hotel websites, you can get competitive pricing too. I vividly remember standing in a hotel lobby in Warsaw dripping wet after being caught in a rain storm trying to get a room. The concierge tried to tell me that the only rooms left were doubles. He saw from my weary face that I was in no position to argue.
Just a few minutes after I paid one of the hotel workers asked why with just one bag traveling alone I hadn't chosen one of the many vacant single rooms in the hotel.
