After two years’ worth of lockdowns and a massive decline in international tourism, you can finally go abroad again. If you are planning a vacation for the first time since before the pandemic began, that alone makes it unforgettable. However, there are some other things that you can do to increase your vacation’s enjoyment factor.
This post will cover everything, from bringing friends along with you to staying in a luxury hotel. Before travelling, make sure that you research the destination you are going to, in case there are still ongoing COVID restrictions there. Additionally, make sure that you research the country’s entry requirements so that you don’t get turned away at customs.
Outdoor Activities
If you are going to a country that’s warm and has lots of beaches, then in order to maximize the amount of fun that you have, why not take up a water sport, like kayaking or surfing? Out of the two, surfing is definitely the most exhilarating.
In addition to being exhilarating, it’s also very cool. One look at an online surfboard retailer will demonstrate this. There are lots of cool surfboards available to purchase online. You could also consider hiking or cycling around trails in the country that you are going to. You can even do these things domestically if a staycation is what you’re after.
Historical Sites
If the country that you are going to has a long history, then it’s highly likely that there will be a number of different historical sites and ancient monuments for you to visit. The visitation of historical sites isn’t for all travelers, so if it doesn’t like something that you are interested in, feel free to skip past this point.
Visiting historical sites can be very memorable because when the places that you have been are referenced in conversation or on television, you will immediately be able to shout, “I’ve been there!”. In addition to being able to brag about having been to historical sites, you will also be a part of the place’s history.
Tourist Attractions
If historical sites aren’t your thing, then there are still likely myriad tourist attractions for you to visit. The type of attraction that you visit depends largely upon what sort of thing you like and what you do with your time. If you enjoy cultural pursuits, then a trip to an orchestra, musical performance, or museum might be a good idea.
Alternatively, if you prefer partying, then you could visit a nightclub or a party. If you are going to a tropical country, then you won’t be short of beach and boat parties to visit. You should factor in what it is that you want to do when you are planning where to go so that you don’t end up going somewhere that doesn’t have the things that you want on offer.
Luxury Hotels
If you are just an ordinary working person, then you probably haven’t ever stayed in a luxury hotel before. Most people haven’t. There is a very effective way of securing a room in luxury hotels, however. Instead of traveling to the country, you are going to spend your vacation during peak summer, and visit during the shoulder season.
When you visit during the shoulder season, there are fewer tourists present. This means that hotels can’t afford to charge ridiculously high prices, because then they won’t get any clientele. During their countries’ respective shoulder seasons, many of the world’s most luxurious hotel chains significantly cut down their prices.
Stretch Boundaries
When you are away, stretch out your boundaries and try new things. The most memorable vacations are those that push you out of your comfort zone. Until you try new things, you won’t ever have meaningful experiences in life.
If you are going to a country that has large tribal populations (such as many Central and South American countries), then you could consider going on a road trip and venturing into their homelands with a guide, living with them for a period of time. Experiences like this will change you as a person and help you to grow. They will also help you to appreciate the things that you have in life, which will make you a much better person.
Bringing Friends
One effective way of ensuring that your vacation is memorable is to bring friends or companions along with you. It doesn’t really matter who you bring, as long as they are close to you and you enjoy their company. If you are going to bring relatives with you, then make sure that you fill them in on exactly what you are planning on doing first, especially if they are old.
Venturing into the Amazon rainforest with your 76-year-old grandfather probably isn’t the best idea. In order to incentivize coming, offer to pay for your companion’s accommodation or flights. If they don’t want to come or haven’t expressed an interest in taking a vacation, this could convince them to join you.
Photographs
For your vacation, buy or lease a professional camera– you won’t regret it. The photos that you take can then be printed off and cherished for the rest of your life. While you could technically use your phone’s camera to take photos, they won’t be as good as a professional camera’s photos would be. If you are bringing a companion along with you, then you can ask them if they have a camera. If they do, then request that they bring it.
Local Restaurants
Finally, make sure that you experiment with local food. A very common thing that many tourists do is to avoid local eateries and instead opt for big chains like Mcdonald’s and KFC. While this makes sense if you are traveling in a developing nation that doesn’t have good infrastructure and food hygiene, if you are traveling somewhere like Portugal, then it doesn’t make any sense at all.
Make sure to read the reviews of local restaurants before going, so that you can ensure that the food quality is good. Be sure to give local delicacies a try, too.
If you’re taking a vacation, then you need to go out of your way to make it as memorable as possible. Who knows when another pandemic may strike? Try to enjoy and cherish every moment in your life to the best of your ability.