Outbound Collective logo

Planning your vacation

Planning can ensure your vacation is a success.

By: David Shook + Save to a List

Planning your vacation 

 

My articles usually stress the importance of time off and making the most of vacation. Soon the vacation calendar will be passed around at work. It is never too late to start planning your next vacation. Choosing the best season, finding the location, gathering information and pre-trip planning can mean the difference between a great trip and a bad one. 

 

Before you decide on a vacation, ask all those involved what activities they would like to participate in. Have them pick their top three favorites. Activities like horseback riding, skiing, hiking, rafting, amusement parks, sun bathing, shopping, or whatever they would like to do while on vacation. The sum of these activities will dictate the season. Some seasonal activities can be grouped with other seasons. Many ski resorts have indoor pools; even the KOA campground outside the Great Smokey National Park has an indoor pool and hot tub. So combining snowshoeing and swimming is not impossible. Let the majority of activities decide the season. 

 

Once a season has been settled on, choose a location. Location choice should be a general one, such as the mountains, out west, the beach, and so on. Location is often affected by the season of choice. For example, Florida in the middle of summer means heat and bugs. The mountains in early spring and late fall could mean cold temperatures with the possibility of snow. The general location can then be narrowed down to a specific location by gathering information. 

 

State Welcome Centers located on the interstates are a great resource for gathering information on accommodations, activities, restaurants, and points of interest. The centers usually arrange brochures by location; mountains, coastal, midlands, etc.. If you don’t have access to a Welcome Center for the state you are considering, the internet is the next best thing. State and regional convention and visitor centers are online and usually offer to mail visitor packets full of brochures. 

 

The internet is great way to gather information on weather, activities, and even accommodation discounts for the location of choice. Trail maps, resort reviews, and virtual tours are only a few key strokes away. Type in all the activities wanted and a few location key words and let the search engines do the information gathering for you. Book stores and outdoor stores will have additional information in travel and hiking guide books specific to where you are going.  

 

Nothing is more important in pre-trip planning than a detailed vacation budget. Your budget will decide for you many things. If have a hot dog budget, set aside all the caviar budget brochures. A vacation budget helps in choosing activities versus accommodations. Eating out every meal is usually more expensive than the extra expense of accommodations that allow you to cook your own food. Tent camping versus a rental camper versus a mountain cabin can use up a budget or allow for more activities like whitewater rafting or a day with a fly fishing guide. Use the budget and the information you have gathered to guide you in making decisions. 

 

Plan B is another pre-trip detail not to forget. You waited all year for this vacation, only to have a week of downpour rain ruin your plans. If you have a plan B, the vacation can be saved. Plan B is just a back up plan in case of rain or bad weather. If you are camping, especially with kids, back up accommodations or activities need to be considered. Years ago my wife’s asthma threatened to end the beginning of a week long tent camping trip. The campground we were staying at had Kamping Cabins. The extra cost of the cabin cut into a few activities, but we were able to continue our vacation. Now we only camp using a four season tent, and her asthma is not an issue no matter the weather. The right equipment and clothing is another essential to pre-trip planning. 

 

Skiing, kayaking, backpacking, fly fishing involve specific gear and appropriate clothing. Make sure you have the necessary gear and clothing to participate in activities you have chosen.  Be sure in your information gathering, you know the average weather of where you’ll be. Check the area of your vacation for outfitters who can rent gear you might not have.  

 

Spending some time now budgeting, gathering information, and planning; can help to insure a better vacation.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Do you love the outdoors?

Yep, us too. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox.

Related

Journey to Wyoming’s premier snowmobiling destination: Togwotee Mountain Lodge

Samuel Brockway

Hiking in comfort: a review of Danner Mountain 600 Evo boots

Meghan White

A peek through God's window

Heather Arnold

Big Bend Bound: Crafting Your 3-Day Adventure

Erin Newman-Mitchell