5 travel tips for getting away during the winter
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” -- Ibn Battuta
Are you thinking of getting away this winter season? You see all of your friends on social media bragging about their winter escape. Now it’s your turn to start planning your own getaway.
Here are five travel tips to help you get away during the winter.
1. Plan in advance
This should go without saying, but too many of us put off planning our trips. We know that we want to travel, but we don’t start booking accommodations until it’s too late. Start early and track the prices. When the price feels right, book it!
2. Try to be flexible with your vacation time
I often search for flexible dates and times on my trips because I don’t want to pay more. If you can swing it with your employer, try to see if you can be flexible with your departure and arrival.
3. Save up slowly
Your trip shouldn’t be another purchase that you throw on your credit card without a plan. I want you to enjoy your time away. I don’t want you to be stressing about your credit card balance when you should be relaxing on the beach. If you put aside $20-50 a week, you’ll be able to save up for an annual trip. You don’t have to pay for your trip with one large lump sum.
4. Rely on reviews and forums
When I went on my first trip ten years ago, I spent the entire month reading every possible review and comment on different resorts. If you don’t go away often, it’s important to research everything possible about your destination. You’re going to want to know about what to avoid and what the food will taste like. On a forum, you can ask about every possible scenario so that you know exactly what you’re getting into on your trip.
5. Try somewhere different
You don’t have to go where everyone else is going. You can try something unique. This year I’m traveling to Colombia instead of a typical resort in the Caribbean. Some of these resorts charge so much because they know that demand will drastically increase during the winter. This is why it makes sense to explore some of the less popular options. My only goal in the winter is to find some sun so that I don’t have to shovel snow for a few weeks.
That’s how you can start planning your winter escape. Don’t forget the sunscreen!