How to Stop Putting Off Your Dream Vacation
Taking your dream vacation is a great family goal … that is often too easy to put off. Here are secrets to stop living on the vacation sidelines, getting in the game, and following your dreams.
There’s a big world out there. Go explore and stop putting off your dream vacation.
Of course there’s the issue of fitting it into your budget. But there are also the other factors that prevent many of us from following dreams when to comes to family vacations.
Yet, I KNOW that travel IS worth it. Traveling is a great way to experience educational adventures with your family, recharge your own batteries, and inspire both you and your little ones. Here are common factors in those who take that dream trip … and those who don’t.
They know they don’t have to wait until they have 2 weeks or more to spend abroad.
So many people I’ve talked to about their travel dreams say that they’re waiting to take a trip to Europe or another dream spot when they have 10 days or 2 weeks to spend there. It’s great to try to see as much as you can while you’re there. But, with the busy schedules most of us keep, a lengthy trip is often unrealistic.
Setting the expectation of spending more than a week there is often not practical. Waiting until that time is available can cause you put off your dream vacation.
My husband and I once had the opportunity to go to Ireland for a work conference but we had four young children we were planning to leave at home. Spending more than five days there was going to be really difficult, if not impossible. After much deliberation we went for a quick 5 days (including travel days!)And loved it! It was the perfect amount of time for us.
Likewise, for our first European trip with the kids we only had a week to spend because of my husband’s work commitments. That too ended up being optimal. Just long enough for the kids to see a ton yet not too much time for them to get bored or anxious to get home.
They plan ahead.
So, this one might seem like common sense but it bears mentioning. It’s not often that you’ll hear me touting how great it is plan a vacation way ahead of time. However, it’s good to know how much time is required to plan a trip abroad.
For starters, traveling out of the country requires time to ensure all your documentation is in order. Obtaining a passport requires 4-6 weeks for processing time. More time is potentially needed to gather the documents necessary to apply for the passport, such as birth certificates. To apply for a passport for a minor, you must schedule a time when both parents can be present to apply in person or bring a notarized parental consent form.
In addition to allowing time to get your passport, you’ll also need to make sure you allow time to guarantee your perfect accommodation option is available, to learn all you need to know about your specific destination before you go, and, of course, to save money for your trip.
But they definitely don’t overthink it.
While it’s important to plan ahead to a certain degree, it’s also important to not think so much about it that you talk yourself out of it or plan so far ahead that it doesn’t happen.
I’m not suggesting you look at next year, or the following year’s calendar quite yet. I mean as much as I would love to say I’ll make sure I’m free for that perfect vacation on a specific date 18 months from now, life happens and the possibility that SOMETHING will come up between now and then is more “probable” as opposed to “possible”... at least for me (and maybe for some of you). Planning too far in advance is one of the easiest ways to put off your dream vacation.
When we were planning our first European vacation with kids, we also went back and forth about whether it would be a good idea to spend the time and money to go. Would the kids be so jet-lagged that no one enjoys the trip? What if they’re so miserable on the plane ride and the lengthy customs line after the plane ride that the trip will be off to a bad start? Will the sites we’re planning to see be boring for our youngest children? I can tell you - it was definitely worth it! We are so glad we were able to experience a different culture and make the memories that we made there. Our kids learned so much and had so much fun, as did my husband and I.
So, DON’T overthink it and if you have the means, spend the time and money to build memories experiencing a great city or two in another country.
They keep it simple.
Trying to fit too much into a trip can often be a sure way to feel overwhelmed … and cause you to give up on the trip all together.
One of the most interesting things about European geography is how close many of the countries are to one another. Travel across state lines in the U.S. and you’ll notice some distinctions between each state but these differences pale in comparison to what you’ll find when you go from one country to the next in Europe.
While it’s tempting to take full advantage of that and make the most of that plane ticket there, be careful not to put too many destinations in one trip. I’ve found it’s usually better to spend at least several days in one general area before heading off to another spot. Lots of places in Europe offer great day trips from one city to the next that will allow you to see something different without packing and unpacking your suitcase. And not over-planning will help keep you from putting off your dream vacation.
