Weekend getaways are a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you're looking for a short trip or a longer stay, planning ahead is key to making the most of your time away. With the right preparation, you can make sure your weekend getaway is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
If you're lucky enough to have a long weekend, use it to your advantage. Choose your destination, but leave room for changes. Keep in mind that if you only have 2 or 3 days, it is better to choose a destination that is no more than three or four hours away by plane so as not to eat too much on your actual trip. If you are driving, there is more flexibility to pack, since you can put everything in the back seat of the car. But if you're traveling by bus or train, consider putting everything you need in a backpack. You don't want to be rolling a suitcase with you. I recommend bringing a backpack or a 30-35 liter duffel bag for a weekend getaway. You don't need a size larger than that. A backpack size of 25 litres is also a good idea if you don't plan to pack a lot of things.
The goal when planning a weekend trip is to keep things as hassle-free as possible. You can go anywhere from the Rocky Mountains to Mexico's Riviera Maya. When looking for flights for long weekend getaways, I recommend that you look for as few stopovers as possible and keep an eye out for night (red eye) flights that can help you maximize your time out. For example, if you go to Iceland, you can leave on Thursday night after work and arrive on Friday morning for a long weekend full of adventures. Even if you return on Monday, you are only using 2 days of vacation. My biggest tip is to keep travel time in mind when considering how long you want your trip to last.
If you're only driving 2 hours away from home, you can easily take just 1 day off work and still fit a lot on your weekend. But if you're flying somewhere 5 hours away, a 4-day trip probably makes more sense. Once you've decided where you want to go and how you'll get there, it's time to do some homework before the trip. Do some research on things like where to stay (better neighborhoods, better deals, etc). While many travelers like to consider flexibility and spontaneity in their travel plans, the truth is that a long weekend trip isn't meant to be very flexible. You don't really have the time to make decisions on the go on a trip that only lasts 3 or 4 days.
As I mentioned earlier, a long weekend trip isn't meant to be very flexible. Therefore, to make the most of such a short trip, I recommend that you draw up an approximate plan for each day of your trip. This can be something you describe before you leave home, or it can be something you do on day 1 of your trip once you arrive at your destination (sometimes I wait until I get there so I can plan things based on the weather forecast). If there is a specific tour or activity that you 100% know you MUST DO on your long weekend trip, book it in advance. Not only will this help you plan your difficult itinerary, but you won't have to worry about it running out or filling up when you get there.
Finally, you don't need 17 different outfit options for a long weekend trip. Pack one outfit a day, along with comfortable walking shoes. Make sure you pack properly for your destination (considering both weather forecast and culture), but don't overdo it. Do you love water? Spend the weekend sunbathing on the beach, kayaking along a river or picnicking near a lake. You may feel encouraged as you stroll through the woods or excited to explore the streets of the city.
The ideal getaway might not take you far from home (you don't want to spend half the weekend going back and forth from your vacation spot, after all), but following your interests will allow you to enjoy yourself wherever you are. Choose your destination and a getaway that requires fewer trips. The getaway could include a vacation stay and explore your locality. If you plan a trip abroad, choose a location that is within three hours of flight.
Weekend getaways are a great way to do something special and it only takes a little time to search for places of interest to maximize your visit. Going on strike on your own has its highlights, but a weekend getaway can be the perfect opportunity to spend time with your partner or friends, especially if you often find yourself too busy during the week.
Whether you're traveling for a weekend or a month, packing well is essential for any successful journey. Arguably one of the most important things you should keep in mind when packing is finding the best and cheapest room for your weekend trip - this takes some effort! When planning a weekend getaway, make sure to maximize your travel time and know exactly what are the best places to visit and the best free things to do.
As actively saving money for a weekend getaway will make it more likely that it will happen - so start planning! If you pack your bags for a weekend trip following these two suggestions - packing light and being prepared - then all that's left is having fun! No matter where you go, packing well for your getaway is part of the preparation that will put you at ease.
With the fantastic facilities and the spectacular new gem Changi Airport has become - it could easily be part of your weekend getaway! If you mix and match these items - such as one outfit per day - then even this super short list is much more than enough for any city trip or weekend getaway.
It's easy to plan an amazing weekend getaway in two days - but budget will largely determine where exactly it will be! So start planning now - and enjoy every minute of it!
