1. Set a budget:

Before you start planning your vacation, determine how much you can afford to spend. This will help you narrow down your destination options and make sure you don’t overspend.

Actually the ideal thing is to start saving for your next vacation just after you finish your last one. Make a saving fund for your next trip and start saving each month so you can have the budget before even start planning the vacation.

Use free apps like goalry that can help you make a good budget with advices on when to save and how much. You don’t need to spend on this.

Remember. You really need to have a number. Not an idea. Write it down and go to the next step.

2. Decide on a destination:

Think about what you want from your vacation – relaxation, adventure, culture, etc. – and choose a destination that meets those needs.

Research different options and compare prices to find the best fit for your budget.

First you need to decide the type of vacation, this is the most important part (after the budget) because all the rest of your vacation will depend on that.

Check popular guides like Travel + Leisure or Lonely Planet to get destinations ideas.

3. Decide the length of your experience:

How long you can and want to be on the trip. Depending on how long you can go, we will look for options that fit your budget and allow you to have activities every day or if you prefer and want something more expensive, you can reduce the days.

Remember that this point is very important since we will not be able to plan a 5-day trip to a destination that will take you 1 whole day or more to arrive, we will choose so you can enjoy it.

4. Book your flights and accommodations:

Once you’ve chosen your destination, book your flights and accommodations. Look for deals and discounts to save money.

It will always be cheaper to find packages that include flight and hotel and in some cases more services such as transportation, meals, etc., than to buy everything separately.

TIP: If you do not require lodging at your destination, it is still a good idea to look for the package option and only add 1 night in a cheap lodging. Many times this is cheaper than the flight alone.

It is important that you use reliable agencies such as Booking or Expedia to find the best deals and be sure that you will not be part of a scam.

5. Make a list of activities and attractions:

Now that we have decided on the place, the time and the transportation, the next thing is to actually see how many FULL days we are going to be at our destination.

Depending on the type of trip we want, here we are going to decide which days we want to have activities, if they are better in the morning or in the afternoon and then we will start looking for options.

Decide on the activities and attractions you want to do and see during your vacation. Research options in advance and make reservations if necessary.

It is important that you review options like City Experiences and tours4fun. That doesn’t mean that you are going to buy the packages you see there (that’s your choice) but actually, in many cases you don’t even need to purchase a package (you can plan the tour yourself). The point of reviewing these pages that we mentioned is to give you ideas of things you can do in your destination and thus be able to plan a calendar.

Also apart from the activities we mention, it is important that you have the list of attractions or places that you want or should visit. For this it is as simple as entering Google Travel and writing the destination.

Do not pay attention to the supposed offers, flights or hotels, we are only going to use this page to know which are the most recommended places that you should not miss.

6. Consider travel insurance:

Travel insurance can provide peace of mind in case of unexpected events such as trip cancellations or medical emergencies. Consider purchasing travel insurance for added protection. Or check if the credit card you use to purchase the tickets has some kind of coverage.

Trust me this can be the difference between an amazing or a awful vacation.

7. Pack wisely:

Only bring what you need on your vacation to avoid overloading your luggage. Make a list of essentials and only pack the items you will use. Consider the climate and activities of your destination to pack appropriate clothing and gear.

Learn how to Pack Light and Efficiently for Any Trip.

If you are going to be moving from one location or your stay is for a few days, look for accessories that help you keep your things more organized and easier to remove and store.

Remember the golden rule. If you are going to be at least 3 days, always unpack.

8. Don’t overschedule:

While it’s good to have a plan, don’t overschedule your vacation. Allow for some down time to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

This point is very important. remember that many times you can be in a place and want to spend more time there, or not only that, sometimes you want to move things from days or times. That is why it is always important that all planning be as flexible as possible, taking activities that do not depend on us.

9. Stay healthy:

 Vacation is a time to relax, but it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, stay active, and get enough sleep to ensure you feel your best.

Many times we believe that by being on vacation we can put our health aside, but this will only end in regret at the end of the experience and then it will be very difficult for us to return to the routine.

Learn these simple 10 tips to maintain a healthier life and also check out these simple and short exercises that you can do no matter where you are or what equipment you have.

Of course it is a time to enjoy and relax, but if you turn our health tips into habits, you will not feel the need to leave them.

10. Disconnect:

Vacation is a time to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life. Consider leaving your work phone and laptop at home and taking a digital detox to fully relax and enjoy your time away.

We know that daily life, work, social networks and feeling disconnected from the world is difficult. The best thing you can do is establish base hours for some activities that can stress you out and stick to them so that you can spend the rest of your time enjoying your vacation.