It’s hard to conceive of still being on a travel break, when travel is back, but here we are. While we have managed road trips and local outings to keep the wanderlust at bay, I’m hesitant to book something more exciting. Ever-changing schedules, protocols, and other uncertainties make me nervous about the experience.
In addition to increased gas costs, flight cancellations, decreased hotel staffing, and unavailable rental cars, we are also working around a new puppy and the final quarter of middle school. It makes things trickier, for sure.
So, how do we cope?
Set A Target Travel Date
Putting a (tentative) travel date on the calendar definitely offers something to look forward to. I’m giving myself June as the time on which to focus. It’s our time for summer break, and I’m hopeful that we can squeeze something in around A’s busy camp schedules. When you focus on a particular date, you have a tangible deadline, and that can help with specific plans.
Research Your Options
Use this time to check out destinations. Dig into travel books and online guides to see what sounds exciting. Sometimes, the simple act of reading about a new location heightens the urge to visit. Personally, researching travel (and landmarks and restaurants) is among my favorite things to do, and I love an excuse to make it happen.
Create A Travel Vision Board
Sometimes, the best way to visualize something is by creating a vision board. Cut up old travel magazines, or try out a digital version to give yourself that nudge in the right direction. Fill your vision board with places you want to visit, and quotes that inspire you. It can be fun, and a great reminder of your goals.
Set A Budget
Ah, yes. The “b” word. Setting a budget is a great step while you’re waiting to take that next trip. Costs have changed dramatically in the last few years, and it’s vital to know where your dollars are going and how far they will stretch. While you’re on hiatus is a great time to analyze those numbers and plan to get that most bang for your buck.
Start Local
Dip your toe back in with some local, staycation type trips. This does double duty by supporting your local economy, and offering a convenient exit plan if touring isn’t working out due to local restrictions or understaffing. Stay within an hour or two from your home, check into a local boutique hotel or bed and breakfast, and see what you can discover right under your nose.
As time goes on, things will hopefully settle into place, making travel a little more reliable than it has been of late.
Have you been back to regular travel? Are you noticing any difficulties or inconsistencies with your plans?
Hooray… your blog is back.
As you know, I’ve been traveling… not a lot but two plane trips to Fla a year and many train trips to NYC. And a race-cation (drivable one) with friends.
I always plan ahead… decide what I want to… get tix in advance… etc.
I will I had enough $ and time to travel more…
Darlene S Cardillo recently posted…Electric City Five Miler Race Recap
I wish I had more time and money, as well LOL! Isn’t that always the way?
Funny timing, because I was in Barnes and Noble today looking through some travel books. Not sure what we’ll be doing this summer, but somewhere- I hope. For us there’s a lot of complicating schedule factors. I hope you can get your trip in June! I”ll be interested to see where you go.
We have some complicating factors, too, so I hope we can make something work out.
As you know we’ve been doing driving vacations, so the winter can be difficult & we go through travel droughts. Being burned by having to cancel last minute last year & losing that money made us more cautious.
They do say that anticipation can actually make the trip better!
It’s just always something. Not travel related (for me), but weather ended up wrecking plans for our huge local golf tournament, and our hot air balloon festival. I felt terrible for the people who bought tickets and traveled to see those things. I’ve almost stopped making plans entirely. I have to get out of that habit.