As with any new endeavor, planning a trip must start somewhere. For me, it usually starts with who is going on the trip and then choosing where to go. Other times, though, it starts with an event that looks fun/interesting and planning the rest of the trip around that. The "who" and "where" are equally important aspects of trip planning so that plans, budgets, and itineraries are appropriate.
In this post, I will dive into the differences between the different "who" options and some of the different options that drive the "where," and how the approach is different for each even though you are still looking for the same things (restaurants/hotels/activities). While they are mostly self-explanatory, I will explain the broad differences in planning these trips.
Who is Going?
Knowing who you are traveling with is an important first step in planning a vacation so that the activities you look for are appropriate and you know how much time you have each day.
Family
While possibly the most common travel, this vacation is the most difficult to plan. With family vacations, there are more interests, wider age ranges, and schedules that need to be taken into account. One consideration is the variety of interests - if one person loves going to museums and another loves being active, you will have to get creative with your planning. Another consideration is ages and age gaps - as the age gap grows between children it will become harder, but not impossible, to plan for everyone. While planning for these vacations, I like to have several extra activities planned out (and estimated times for each). This helps make quick changes if the weather turns or if someone is uncooperative. Lastly, with this vacation, sleep schedules may play into your planning. In our house (kids ages 6 and 2 in 2022) sleep schedules reign supreme, even on vacation. This puts a damper on any later-evening activities and can potentially make for slow mornings when places don't open until 9 or 10 A.M. These vacations are great for making lifelong memories for the kids and growing as a family somewhere other than home.
Couples
A couple's getaway is a wonderful trip to plan for a variety of reasons. There are only two people, or sets of couples, to plan for and I'm going to assume there are similar interests otherwise you would probably not be a couple. Even adding in friends who are couples doesn't change this dynamic, since you are friends, you will have common interests. You will be able to fill your day with more since you aren't worried about kids' schedules. This trip might not need as much extensive planning as a family vacation because adults, typically, can make decisions faster than kids (though I keep some extra activities ready, just in case). Find some romantic dinner spots, some activities to do, and leave time for anything you happen to see while walking around. I will add in time to sit in the hot tub at the hotel or walk down main street to see the local shops.
Friends
Very similar in planning to the Couples Getaway, this one might actually be more fun to plan and think about, especially if you have been friends for a long time. You have a whole history of inside jokes and crazy dreams to live out. You can leave out the stereotypical romantic dinner from the Couples Getaway and find a local diner, find snacks as you walk through a market, or eat ice cream in your hotel room. All bets are off when best friends travel together. When planning this trip have several ideas of what you want to do so your not wasting time while there searching for things but completely ignore how long you want to spend at each place as you are bound to get distracted. This trip is great for reconnecting after life has gotten in the way and for building on memories from years ago.
Just You
If you have never taken a solo trip before, I highly recommend that you do. Since my first solo trip, I have become more confident in travel and in life in general. When planning this trip the only person you have to worry about is you. What do you want to do, what do you want to eat, when do you want to go to sleep and wake up? If you are single, don't be afraid to go see the world; if you have a significant other take the chance to spend a few days apart so you can experience this; if you have children don't skip out on indulging in yourself and having your own adventures. As a wife and mother of two, this is the trip I normally get the most judgment on when talking to others about it; I have heard "don't you want to travel with your family?" or "you're being so selfish leaving your kids while you are gone." Don't let these deter you. Planning this trip will teach you about yourself more than any other trip. Take the chance, you won't regret it. These trips offer a wonderful opportunity for self-discovery, personal growth, and a sense of freedom.
Why Go? There are infinite possibilities of "where" to go, but "why" you travel can be grouped into a handful of reasons. While one trip can have aspects of each, I find each requires it's own planning process.
Relaxing
Most people take a vacation to relax from something, but a "relaxing vacation" is one where the purpose of it is to fully, or at least partially, relax. Think of a beach, cabin in the woods, or a calm lake trip. These trips, or portions of trips, are typically quieter, more relaxing, and time seems to move a bit slower. You may seek out a good book on a beach, a massage, or a small town store to pass the time. These trips are typically as a couple, as friends, or on a solo trip because let's be honest, vacationing with children, especially young ones, is not relaxing.
Exploring
Most vacations include some aspect of exploring: exploring a new area, culture, or food. This aspect of trips really shows you how big the world is and how much there is to see. This is why exploring is my favorite part of a vacation - whether it is going to local restaurants and diners to try new things, going hiking and getting off the path, or simply going to the epicenter of the city/town and people watching. Don’t be afraid to make the entire purpose of the trip solely to explore!
Thrill-Seeking
These are trips that probably include a theme park/amusement park, scuba diving, zip-lining, and other things to get out of your comfort zone. Thrill-seeking trips are for any age and can really include anything, depending on the ages of those going. These trips are the kind that gets your heart pumping, making for wonderful memories, but you might need a vacation after your vacation to recover before going back to real life.
Event-Based
Trips based around a specific event (family reunion, online meetup, new museum exhibit, etc.) are easier to plan than other trips as the actual destination is decided for you. Oftentimes, a good portion of the time is also organized by whatever event you are traveling for. The fun part of planning these trips is seeing what you can schedule around the event to make an activity-packed trip.
Summary
Of course, planning will overlap for different categories; however, I think this is a good place to start when planning a vacation. While deciding where your trip fits into these categories is usually very obvious, sometimes I have an urge to travel but have absolutely nothing figured out so thinking about it this way helps.
Thank you for joining me in this new adventure. I hope you come back for more vacation planning tips. Comment below with any topics or ideas you are interested in and want to hear about to help me plan my next few posts.
See you next time!
Sami
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