How to Plan the Best College Summer Trip Ever

By Victoria Robertson on July 7, 2017

It’s finally summertime, and our schedules seem to be filling up rather quickly. However, there’s always time for a vacation, especially for those really seeking a break in their schedule before the next school year begins.

But how can you plan a trip that’s right for you? Use these helpful tips and you’ll have a summer that you won’t soon forget!

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1. Set Your Budget

Everybody has a different financial situation. You have to take a look at your finances and see where you stand individually. If you only have enough for a weekend getaway, don’t splurge on a 2-week cruise and max out your credit cards. Plan your trips according to what you have; otherwise, it’ll be a lot more stress than it’s worth.

2. Pick a Location

This goes hand-in-hand with planning financially — you can go as close to home or as far as you want, but make sure you’re being realistic about the cost. It’s going to be much more cost-effective to drive with a group than it will to snag an international flight, so plan your destination according to your finances. (As an added bonus, try to go somewhere new. It’s easy to fall into the same-old vacation plans as your parents, but try to experience new things if possible!)

3. Bargain Shop for Flights

Sometimes, you have no option but to fly. Don’t take the first flight that you see. Flights are notoriously less expensive if you fly out during the week than if you fly out on the weekend, and Tuesdays are reportedly the best fares. Do some digging and stalk the airlines for a deal that fits your budget and needs.

4. Bring (or Don’t Bring) a Group

Trips tend to be more fun with groups, but be careful here as well. They tell you not to go on vacation with your friends for a reason — the way some people do things may be totally different from how you do them. So make sure, before you invite your friends, that you’re actually open to their way of doing things and that you get along well enough to go on a trip together.

5. Plan your Adventures

You can actually plan your excursions before you get to the destination, and this is often the cheapest means of doing so, as you can easily compare prices and plan your schedule accordingly. Plus, this is an opportunity to see what the group would like to do together, and perhaps choose a few things to do on your own.

6. Don’t Skimp on Hotels

This is just general advice, and while you don’t want to spend a small fortune on a place to leave your things during the day and sleep at night, you definitely don’t want to end up in an area that’s unsafe. So do a little digging before you go and find the best fares through bargain sites such as Expedia. Basically, the more research you do, the less likely you are to be the next lead in Taken.

7. Do your Research

Again, the more you know about the location, the better. This means areas to avoid, sights to see, tips and tricks to save money, even which restaurants are worthwhile and which you should avoid at all costs. Plus, looking up the must-sees, etc. is a great way to get excited for the trip!

8. Be Open to New Experiences

Don’t close yourself off to anything new. When you go, be prepared for plans to change and for new adventures to pop up. Of course, don’t make bad decisions, and definitely trust your gut, but if something sounds like it’s of interest and you have a good feeling, go for it! You’re traveling to experience new things, so do that as much as possible!

9. Plan Some Downtime

While many people like to be constantly on the  go, others like to have a little time to relax and enjoy the view. Especially if you’re going to be near a beach, you’ll want to take a little time (even if only a few hours a day) to decompress and enjoy the location.

10. Enjoy Yourself!

Vacations can be stressful if you’re thinking too much about them. By doing most of the planning ahead of time, you should have plenty of time upon arrival to sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself! You definitely deserve it, as you undoubtedly have another difficult year ahead of you! This is your chance to enjoy a little time just for you.

Summer vacations can really help to relieve stress and break up the school year to provide you that much-needed relaxation time. So, no matter your personal situation, it’s well worth the indulgence!

And if you use these 10 tips to plan your trip, there’s no doubt that it’s going to be one that you’ll remember for years to come!

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