woman holding plane ticket and pass port with green background. Travel concept
Leah Berenson
Leah Berenson
October 18, 2024 ·  6 min read

10+ Strategies to Begin Planning Your Dream Vacation

For some a dream vacation has little planning and a limited agenda, while others prefer to pack in various activities and carefully plan out every detail. Either way, some things universally make life easier, such as avoiding certain foods while traveling or getting travel insurance. Here are some examples of travel hacks to make life on the road easier, and more cost effective.

1. Dream Vacations Start with Hydration 

Man enjoying drink during flight. Passenger holding glass of sparkling wine against airplane window.
Source: Shutterstock

Juice and sodas are high in sugar, which can cause indigestion, particularly at high altitudes, but they can also be surprisingly refreshing as the altitude also impacts our taste buds. Either way, water is your best bet to stay hydrated in flight. However, airport water bottles are overpriced, and airline tap water has frequently tested positive for high levels of illness-causing bacteria. As such, traveling with a reusable water bottle and filling it up at the filtered water stations found throughout the airport will ensure you stay hydrated, and you can enjoy your dream vacation feeling more energized and refreshed after a long day of travel. 

2. Track Flights for Deals

An airplane flying through white clouds. Blue sky in the background.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Most airlines have a setting on their website that allows you to track flight costs and keep up with deals they may be running. However, certain apps like Airfarewatchdog do the same thing but with more options. For instance, the app allows you to sort through filters so you can avoid certain airlines or track prices and compare flights. Additionally, sites like KAYAK are well-known platforms that do the same thing, as well as offering deals for bundling flights, hotels, and rental cars. 

3. Travel Days Impact a Dream Vacation

An airplane on the tarmac. Other airplanes and sky in the background.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Purportedly, it is another great way to save on flights so you have a larger spending budget for your dream. Vacation is to book your flight on a certain day. For instance, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically cheaper dates to fly during the week. Meanwhile, if you book your flight 47 days in advance, it’s said that you get the best rates.

Read More: Woman saves $28,000 in travel expenses by watching other people’s cats in places she visits

4. A Dream Vacation often Includes Good Food

A table of various ethnic foods.
Image Credit: Pixabay

One of the best things about going to a new place is trying new and local cuisine. However, sometimes it can cost, mainly if you are in a touristy area. Two things can help cost meals to ensure you enjoy your vacation to the fullest. First, find places that aren’t as popular for tourism, namely, local establishments or those full of locals but not many out-of-towners. 

Second, consider going out for lunch instead of dinner. Lunch menus are often less expensive than dinner menus with similar or the same items. Furthermore, some places offer lunch specials to help save more money and our often less busy at lunchtime so you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a calm atmosphere. 

5. Pack Lightly and Efficiently

Woman packing suitcase at home. Travel concept
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There are a few ways to pack so that your dream vacation is less of a house. One is to pack lightly only, taking essentials and choosing two colors that complement each other so you can mix and match outfits. 

The other option is to pack efficiently you can do this by rolling clothes side of each other starting smaller items first or rolling each article up individually. 

6. Look Your Best 

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Another way to pack for your dream vacation is to ensure that none of your clothing gets wrinkled. To help avoid this if you don’t have a garment bag, place a sheet of tissue paper on top of each garment before rolling it up. 

7. Safe Valuables Ensure a Smooth Dream Vacation

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Another helpful packing tip to ensure you have a sailing vacation is to keep your valuables safe. A good way to do that is to use a travel pill organizer. This will prevent tangling and keep things in a discrete everyday container. 

Read More: Travel through Mexico on an all-you-can-drink tequila train

8. Download Maps and Share Information

A world map with a vintage camera and a passport.
Image Credit: Pamjpat | Pixabay

In many other countries, it is suggested that when you, as an American citizen, visit them, you should check in with the US Embassy or consulate so that they know you are in the country. This ensures that if anything happens to you, somebody knows where you are. Furthermore, contacting somebody from home to let them know the addresses of where you’ll be and what your itinerary is is another great way to ensure safety. Lastly, downloading maps and other important things onto your phone will be helpful in case you are somewhere without Wi-Fi or a phone connection. Additionally, this can help to prevent costly roaming charges and travel data fees. 

9. Scan Important Documents

Passports and a stamp, Yellow background.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Scan important documents. Try as we might to stay organized and keep track of important documents, but sometimes traveling can take a toll, and we might forget what we’ve done with important things or may have lost or gotten them stolen somewhere in route. Scanning important documents such as IDs and passports is a great way to ensure you have a copy on your phone and or in your email. 

10. Take Advantage of Perks

The inside of an airplane cabin with people in their seats.
Image Credit: Pixabay

When you apply for a travel credit card or one through an airline, there are hidden benefits like complimentary access to airport lounges. These are often quieter spaces, with ample outlets for charging and complimentary food and beverages. In some cases, they’ll have a masseuse to help you relax and set your dream vacation off right, or showers and other spa treatments.

Airline cards also offer rewards for traveling that you can use on future travel purchases such as lodging.

Read More: 10+ Reasons You’ll Want to Make Costa Rica Your Next Travel Destination

11. Book Directly with Businesses

Online booking and buying plane tickets using computer and credit card
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Although some travel sites offer deals for booking through them, others like daily tour sites have a fee that local businesses pay to use their services. Therefore, when you book a kayaking day trip or a guided ATV ride through the business, rather than on a travel site, it ensures more money goes into their pockets. So, they can continue to help others have their dream vacation.

12. Make a List for Your Dream Vacation

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There are more than 200 countries and thousands of islands in the world. As such, it may seem overwhelming to plan a dream vacation. After all, the options are seemingly endless. Although it may seem cliche, making a list of things that are important to you can help you hone in on your dream vacation and destination. For instance, if you’re hoping to see wildlife, somewhere with wildlife preservation may be ideal. Whereas someone who prefers sitting on the beach with a cocktail may have a better experience somewhere tropical, like an island or on the coast.

13. Important Things to Have on Hand

Close-up shot, businessman or lawyer holding pen reviewing documents and contact customer via laptop to give advice about business contracts and various important documents for start new business
Source: Shutterstock

The last helpful hint to ensure smooth sailing on your dream vacation is to be aware of important things one may not instinctually think of. Here’s a list of things to consider before taking your dream vacation:

  • Contact information for local law enforcement and hospitals.
  • Keep an emergency contact list.
  • Take extra medication in the event of travel delays.
  • Local travel information and numbers for a taxi service.
  • Keep a mini flashlight or headlight and extra batteries.

H/t BrightSide

Read More: 20 Reasons Why You Don’t Need to Travel Outside the US