The Traveller’s Guide: Vacation Tips

The first thing that runs through the minds of individuals when they hear the word vacation is ‘luxury’, but in the real sense of it a vacation goes beyond that. One mustn’t be luxurious to have a vacation. Vacations are not meant for the rich alone; anyone can go for a vacation depending on your choice, taste and destination of travel. Proper planning is all it takes for a memorable vacation. Why opt for a vacation? Is a vacation really important or is it just a break from the regular routine? Vacationing is as important as every other healthy lifestyle habit (healthy eating, rest and exercise). The benefits of vacations extend beyond fun. According to physicians and psychotherapists lack of sleep and rest hinder your ability to think clearly and act decisively. Recreation deprivation also makes you irritable, depressed, and anxious. Your memory becomes weak, your vision blurry, and poor decisions will be the aftermath of such effect. A vacation helps emotional, physical and other aspects of individual daily living.  It contributes positively to bonding, communication, and cohesion with family, friends and loved ones, and amongst workers in an organization. Vacations have the potency to break the stress bonds (cycle). Vacation tips We all wish and crave for that perfect vacation, even if it will be once in a life time. The thought plays through one’s mind, until thoughts are converted to actions. It can be intense, however, when you sit down to plan a trip. In planning a vacation many things are put into consideration. Addressing these issues early enough is the key to having a pleasurable vacation. The first step in planning a vacation is deciding where you are going. Five to Six months prior to leaving is the best time to decide and plan.  Preparing in advance for any duration (short or long trip) helps reduce stress, gives more room for options and enough time to pack. One great tip to save money is booking in advance. Once you have decided where to go, the next step is how to get there. After you have decided on a vacation spot, comes the task of planning. Planning, organizing, and building a great vacation could be intimidating; this is where research comes into play. There are numerous vacation websites online that tell you about places of interest, culture, climate, hotels, what to expect, and all other information you need to know before visiting vacation spots like Tinapa ,Yankari Games Reserve, Jos wild life park, Manbilla Plateau, Obudu Ranch resort e.t.c. Carry out the research and do a price comparison online through travel sites and tour catalogues to find the best option that suits your desire, taste and budget. Prices can vary greatly, so it always pays to spend some time researching your options for the best deals. Another important vacation tip is time of travel when going on a vacation; try to go during the off season. Transportation and accommodation costs are higher during “high season,” which runs from mid-December to mid-April. Scheduling your trip during the “low season,” from April to mid-June and September, is one way to reduce costs and avoid big crowds. Means of transportation is a major factor in opting for a vacation. Decide what form of transportation you’re taking (plane, train or automobile etc.). If you are going a great distance and want more quality time at your vacation destination, you may consider flying. Depending on where you want to go, calculate whether driving a car or flying is most cost and time efficient for you. Although, if you enjoy the travel as much as the destination, driving is the best alternative, all in all it depends on the distance. For example, if you stay in the neighboring states close to Bauchi, Calabar, Abeokuta or Plateau driving will be the best option because the sights along the way will be a plus to the vacation experience. Plan your itinerary. Making a schedule for each day of your vacation is a great idea. Your vacation schedule can include: places to visit, activities of choice, season or weather you wish to experience, people you want to visit, your preferred way to travel, important dates and anything else that will make your vacation worthwhile. Write out your options. Include dates and times, and information you’ve found about interesting attractions on each potential itinerary. Estimate the total cost of your vacation. Total cost which includes restaurants (food & drinks) air tickets, fuel or diesel for the vehicle to get there, back, and to places nearby where you’ll be staying and any other activities. Reserve or book for accommodation that is fairly close to your intended destination. Draw up a budget. Now you can decide how much money needs to be available for the trip and start a savings plan. It is always a good idea to save money on and before a vacation. Set aside a certain amount daily, weekly or monthly in preparation for the trip. Don’t forget to factor in travel costs: fare, food, clothing, hotel expenses. Vacation specials or bonanza’s changes often, so it will be smart to purchase tickets for your trip early when the price is best for you. There is no such thing as a perfect plan; despite how thoroughly you’ve planned your trip, makes room for changes. The picture never stays the same when plans are converted into actions, there will always be slight difference so be flexible. Itinerary, budget, and set plans can be changed at the verge of travel. Note: Do a thorough research online on travels and tour companies, if possibly ask friends, family and colleagues for first hand information if available to avoid deceitful tour companies and hotels. A vacation can be stress free from inception should be stress free; it all depends on planning, so why not start planning for one today?

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This article was first published on 22nd April 2013

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