The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Weekend Getaway

Planning a weekend getaway can be a daunting task, especially if you only have a few days to make the most of your trip. But with the right planning and preparation, you can make the most of your time and have an unforgettable experience. Keep in mind that if you only have 2 or 3 days, it is better to choose a destination that is no more than three or four hours away by plane so as not to eat too much on your actual trip. If you are driving, there is more flexibility to pack, since you can put everything in the back seat of the car. But if you're traveling by bus or train, consider putting everything you need in a backpack. You don't want to be rolling a suitcase with you. I recommend bringing a backpack or a 30-35 liter duffel bag for a weekend getaway. You don't need a size larger than that. A backpack size of 25 litres is also a good idea if you don't plan to pack a lot of things. The goal when planning a weekend trip is to keep things as hassle-free as possible. You can also go to many other places, from the Rocky Mountains to Mexico's Riviera Maya. When looking for flights for long weekend getaways, I recommend that you look for as few stopovers as possible and keep an eye out for night (red eye) flights that can help you maximize your time out. For example, if you go to Iceland, you can leave on Thursday night after work and arrive on Friday morning for a long weekend full of adventures. Even if you return on Monday, you are only using 2 days of vacation. My biggest tip is to keep travel time in mind when considering how long you want your trip to last. If you're only driving 2 hours away from home, you can easily take just 1 day off work and still fit a lot on your weekend. But if you're flying somewhere 5 hours away, a 4-day trip probably makes more sense. Once you've decided where you want to go and how you'll get there, it's time to do some homework before the trip. Do some research on things like where to stay (better neighborhoods, better deals, etc.). While many travelers like to consider flexibility and spontaneity in their travel plans, the truth is that a long weekend trip isn't meant to be very flexible. You don't really have the time to make decisions on the go on a trip that only lasts 3 or 4 days. As I mentioned earlier, a long weekend trip isn't meant to be very flexible. Therefore, to make the most of such a short trip, I recommend that you draw up an approximate plan for each day of your trip. This can be something you describe before you leave home, or it can be something you do on day 1 of your trip once you arrive at your destination (sometimes I wait until I get there so I can plan things based on the weather forecast). If there is a specific tour or activity that you 100% know you MUST DO on your long weekend trip, book it in advance. Not only will this help you plan your difficult itinerary, but you won't have to worry about it running out or filling up when you get there. Finally, you don't need 17 different outfit options for a long weekend trip. Pack one outfit a day, along with comfortable walking shoes. Make sure you pack properly for your destination (considering both weather forecast and culture), but don't overdo it. A good way to simplify things while planning your weekend getaway is to first determine what you most want to do on your vacation and then do a little light research. For example, if you are traveling to Napa and want to visit wineries, research the best vineyards and take note of their schedules. Or if you want to visit the best museums in Chicago, see which exhibitions are open and decide when you will go. The research phase doesn't have to take long. Do you love water? Spend the weekend sunbathing on the beach, kayaking along a river or picnicking near a lake. You may feel encouraged as you stroll through the woods or excited to explore the streets of the city. The ideal getaway might not take you far from home (you don't want to spend half the weekend going back and forth from your vacation spot, after all), but following your interests will allow you to enjoy yourself wherever you are. As you actively save money for a weekend getaway, you're more likely to take advantage of it and plan an amazing trip. As much as I like to introduce myself, it is a good idea to plan a weekend before heading to a popular destination in high season or there is a risk that the tour will be booked for when you get there. If you're traveling for work, it's probably during the week and, with a little planning, you can extend that trip and turn it into a fun weekend. So, from packing healthy snacks to choosing a place you like, here are our top tips for planning an unforgettable weekend getaway. When planning a weekend getaway, you'll want to maximize your travel time and know exactly what are the best places to visit and the best free things to do. It's easy to plan a weekend getaway, but it can be hard to save for one between mortgage or rent payments and all other life bills. Three-day weekends are a good time to plan a getaway, but you don't have to wait for one to have fun. While it's important to have vacation goals and destinations, it's also good to leave room for unexpected changes in the plan. If it's a solo trip, of course you have the floor, but if you're planning a weekend getaway with a couple or friends, they probably have a list of cities or towns they want to visit.