Party weekend tripping has never been easier! LOL – don’t you love how that sounds! Weekends never seem long enough, but, with the right planning and coordination, you would be amazed at what you can cram into the precious few hours between the end of Friday’s shift and the start of another workweek. Spontaneous or planned, with friends or without, normal weekends can become action-packed vacations. Here are tips to use when planning a weekend trip. Make that weekend getaway a memorable one – don’t forget your camera and if you have an iPhone, check out these travel apps!
1. To drive or not to drive?
Before figuring out where you want to go, it’s first a good idea to consider how you want to get there. Even if you’re just headed to the nearest city for some dirty dancing and heavy drinking, going by train, bus or plane might be a better option because you can nap in transit, allowing for less time wasted sleeping on location when you could be partying instead.
2. So many places to go, so little travel time
Flying half way around the world to some exotic, Asian beach town wouldn’t be worth it for a weekend vacation because you’d never make it there and back in time. No matter the transportation, try to keep travel time less than 12 total hours — there and back again — because every minute counts. The best weekends require eight or less hours of travel time.
3. Bring friends, not stuff
Pack the minimum necessary, especially when flying, so you’re not stuck dealing with luggage. If taking a plane, just bring a carry on. Instead of stuff, bring friends because, when traveling, the more the merrier and cheaper if you share room costs. Catching sun on a Floridian beach or club hopping in Manhattan is made all the better with a buddy or two.
4. Where to stay?
Hostels are cool if you’re traveling on a shoestring, but their often long list of rules can suck the fun out of any weekend adventure. Pick a hotel or motel near wherever it is your primary activity is going to be. If headed to a big city, aim to explore one area rather than the whole place to cut done on time wasted traversing the urban jungle.
5. A minute saved is a minute earned
With search engines and websites always at the ready, dedicate an hour or two to picking and reserving the best accommodations to suit your needs. Although it takes away from the fun of spontaneity, precious time isn’t wasted driving around looking for vacant, affordable rooms. While you’re at it, map out the route to your hotel and the sites you plan to see.
6. Easy budget tips for the more frugal
Basic ways to save a few dollars include, but are not limited to, sharing a hotel room with friends, avoiding pricey restaurants, drinking store-bough brews before hitting the bars, relying on public transit rather than taxis, driving on cruise control to save gas and keeping your wallet closed in touristy areas that always hike up the price.
7. Don’t know where to go?
Want to go, but don’t know where or what to do? Not sure if you want some rural relaxation or urban excitement? Consider combining the best of both worlds. Places like San Diego, California or San Juan, Puerto Rico offer sizzling beaches and equally sizzling nightclubs. Places like Burlington, Vermont or Denver, Colorado provide nearby, awe-inspiring landscapes and enough nightlife to keep the adrenaline pumping all night long.
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