Taking Last Minute Vacations


Defined Tag: Last Minute Vacations.

While not optimal in terms of the little planning time that they afford, there is still something to be said for last minute vacations: rushed yet fun. A vacation, no matter the amount of preparation time, must be planned efficiently and wisely. Some of these ideas may help.

In this fast-paced, ever-changing world of ours a time to get away from the stress and hustle-bustle of normal life is always a welcome relief. Strangely, sometimes the gods on high afford us a spontaneous reprieve and last minute vacations become a reality. While any opportunity to get out and about to somewhere new is certainly welcome, last minute vacations can be quite hectic and consume every last breath and second that you've got. For this reason, here are a few suggestions.

First, always have a travel list available for that last second jaunt off to Timbuktu. The writer Joyce Carol Oates, who was prone to last minute vacations -sometimes of a working manner, had a list posted to her closet door. This is the ideal action to take - make a list. Do it now, whether you're anticipating a last minute vacation, or are now in the throes of it. When we make lists we tend to be more logical, more practical, as a list is a diagram of sorts that we can see all at once -and can identify anything that seems out of place, extraneous, or wrong for such a trip.

With that in mind, if you are the type who always seems to bring an excessive amount of clothes and other items on your trips, and then don't use half of it, follow this tip: after you've decided what you want to bring, cut that in two and take only half of your original amount of stuff. We humans tend to over pack and then suffer for it in the end. The last thing a vacation of any kind should be is work, and lugging two or three over-stuffed bags around is just that. As well, do limit yourself to only a bag for each hand -or better, only one bag total, as long as it's not the size of a baby elephant.

Of a similar note, consider carefully what you're bringing with you in relation to where you're going to take your last minute vacation, while also considering the kinds of things that you like to buy. For example, if you like to buy clothes -whether it be in your town or in another country, consider not bringing so many clothes. This is especially true (in the case of clothing) if you're going to a destination where clothing is manufactured en masse (and cheaply, no less), such as India or Taiwan. Simply buy your clothes there.

The last minute vacation need not be a three ring circus with the proper amount of planning and resolve. Of course, the more time you have to plan, the better, but this is not always conducive to reality. As well, the very moment you've decided to make this impromptu journey, buy your airline tickets, if flying. Sometimes prices take a spike upward literally overnight, and the sooner your reservations are made, the less of a crunch it will be on your wallet. Once the reservations are made, your resolution and planning will become crystalline -clear and firm in your mind. The trip will practically plan itself.