Planning a summer vacation early can help make flights, accommodations and events more affordable, says Company of Dads. Summer is peak travel season, so the earlier you plan, the more likely you and your employed family members can get popular dates such as the Fourth of July or Labor Day weekend off. You won’t need to worry about fluctuating #airfares or hotel prices, giving you peace of mind. And you will generate anticipation and excitement for your upcoming travels, helping wring that much more enjoyment from your time off for you and your travel companions. #SummerVacation
Tag: summer vacation
Where Will You Travel This Summer?
While college kids and teachers are busy thinking about #spring break right now, it pays to consider what kinds of leisure experiences you’ll be pursuing for the #summer. If a summer #vacation is a part of that, start planning now! Set your dates, says Road Trip Queens, and arrange any petsitting or housesitting help you might need. Check the current travel advisories — especially now — to make sure your destination is safe. Book airfares and hotels to ensure you get the times and locations you want. Finally, research your destination and make a short list of “must-dos” to pursue while you’re there. #SummerVacation
It’s Your Last Chance to Take a Summer Vacation
#Summer 2025 is passing quickly! The long days and warm weather will soon be a memory, and the time to take advantage of them with a summer #vacation is dwindling. Nonetheless, there’s still time to schedule a getaway.
Time off is crucial to preserving one’s physical and mental health, says AFC Urgent Care. Those who skip #vacations are at a higher risk for heart attack, anxiety and depression. And those who take vacations are often less stressed and more attentive to their own well-being.
You might be worried that the stress and expense won’t be worthwhile, but “a memorable summer vacation doesn’t require months of planning or thousands of dollars,” says Yahoo! “With a little creativity and flexibility, you can find affordable ways to explore new places.”
Depending on your tolerance for car travel, roadtripping can be one of the cheapest ways to enjoy a change of scenery. Pack the car, the family and a few snacks, and you can be somewhere new in a matter of hours. Check Google Maps for places within a preferred distance from your home base, or visit Roadtrippers.com to access complete planning tools. A simple search can help chart your route and highlight points of interest, restaurants, hotel accommodations and campsites, and more.
Another way to have a cheap #getaway is to share costs with friends. Split multiple ways, an Airbnb or VRBO rental can make even exclusive locations affordable. Start texting your travel companions; you never know who might be willing to take a few days off.
With schools starting earlier every year, crowds start to ease at the end of August, Frommer’s says, and you may be able to save on flights and hotels during the “shoulder” season. Or you might be able to land a cheap flight to a fully off-season location in Mexico or the Caribbean.
Don’t despair or wallow in the fear of missing out. There’s still time to set aside a day or three to see something new, take a hike, go to the beach and otherwise shake off the same-old, same-old routine. Your health will benefit!
Dos and Don’ts of a Memorable Summer
There’s no right way or wrong way to do #summer. The warmest season offers opportunity for festive gatherings, home and self-improvement, exploration, education, and relaxation. The Organizing Blog has several checklist items that can make your summer memorable in all of the right ways, however.
Do protect yourself against the sun and #heat. With climate change, extreme heat is becoming more common throughout the year; be alert to your exposure and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Make a habit of wearing SPF30+ sunscreen when engaging in outdoor activities or cover up to block harmful UV rays.
Don’t waste too much time indoors. Shady and air-conditioned as your home might be, many social, cultural and sporting events happen only when the weather is sunny and warm. Get off the couch, turn off the TV and take advantage of all that summer has to offer.
Do throw open the windows, #declutter and #deep-clean. Household projects are easier to accomplish when inclement #weather isn’t slowing you down. Freshening the home while getting some fresh air may even be energizing! Summer is a great time to tackle larger home projects, too — especially if you need to hire help.
Don’t feel like you have to accomplish everything at once. Even type A personalities can benefit from a lazy day, a leisurely walk in the park or a picnic. Reward yourself with a favorite indulgence for the progress you make at work and at home.
Do take a trip. It might be a day in the city, a road trip to a national park or a flight to a faraway beach, but any change of scenery makes things more memorable. Pile the family into the car or call up an old friend; you’ll be making new memories in no time.
Don’t overplan. Even if you aren’t the spontaneous type, allowing flexibility usually pays off with unexpected discoveries. Make list of the things you’d like to accomplish this summer at home and on the road with must-dos at the top; everything else is gravy.
Do take pictures. Almost everyone has a camera in their pocket these days, so record some of the summer memories you’re making as you make them. Share them with friends and family and revisit them often to make this summer one of the most memorable ever!
Camp Out for a Thrifty Summer Getaway
The inflation caused by pandemic-era supply-chain disruptions is rapidly easing. Travel costs are down about 2% from last summer, according to NerdWallet, but leisure is likely competing with necessities for a share of your family’s disposable income.
For those who want to get away from it all while keeping #costs in check, there’s a time-tested alternative: camping. If you enjoy nature and are willing to “rough it” just a little bit, it offers plenty of bang for your #summer #vacation buck.
“Camping is the best way we can think of to make possible that family vacation when budgets are stretched so tight,” says Family Outdoors. “The cost of almost any campground will be significantly less than the cost of even a basic hotel room.”
Every state in the union has local, state and national parks that permit camping, so you can drive to your chosen spot and pitch a tent. You can search for the ideal campground by location and amenities at ReserveAmerica.com.
You could soon be paddling a canoe or kayak on a scenic waterway, hiking into a primeval geological formation, seeing unusual flora and fauna, or simply splashing around and cooking out with the kids. You can even camp near a major attraction such as an amusement park and visit it while saving on hotels.
The definition of “roughing it” differs from person to person, of course. Seasoned backpackers prefer the backwoods, carrying only what they need. Others are good with car camping — loading up equipment and parking at the site — or hike-in sites. If you’re anything like us, minimum requirements will include a shower, toilet and a source of clean water.
For more money, you can rent an RV or go “glamping” in an established yurt, cabin or lodge. But #thriftier options abound for when you have a reasonable amount of time and don’t want to spend a lot of #money. Whatever you choose, it’s the memories tat will be priceless.
Grab a tent, pack up the family and take off on an adventure! There’s only so much time left to enjoy the summer.