OUTSIDE THE BOX
Planning Tools for Successful Vacations
by Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig
With spring on people’s minds and warmer weather on the horizon, the thought of getting away for at least a few days is enticing. Many travel experts say that the earlier the planning starts, the better. “The best time to book for peak season is … the opposite season,” travel expert Katy Nastro tells Travel + Leisure about booking flights. However, real life doesn’t always align with that game plan. According to a July 2024 Vox article by Whizy Kim, how much value the travel-related service or product provides, how much money you personally have, and even how much the cost of other goods has gone up can determine when a final decision is made on a vacation: “The reality is that travel prices haven’t soared quite as much as other sectors—they’re up by about 10 percent since 2019, which is a lot lower than the inflation we’ve seen in, say, food prices,” Kim writes. However, the uncertainties in the economy have many people putting their plans on tentative hold. That means waiting longer to plan and book vacations closer to one’s desired travel time. This can present new problems, including stress and worry.
Getting away, even for a short trip, can do wonders for anyone. Families, couples, and individuals have better health and relationships when new sceneries, food, cultures, and/or experiences are introduced into their lives. “Changing our daily routines and allowing our minds to think—without stress or anxiety getting in the way—will enable us to not only rest but also [to help] stave off mental health issues,” SoCal Mental Health shares on its website. “A well-rested person can perform better on the job and face everyday struggles with renewed resolve and energy. As a result, the quality of life is elevated, promoting overall well-being.” The good news is that the travel industry has found ways to make planning and traveling easier on the mind, body, and pocketbook. Here are some tools to help those who’ve never been able to have a real vacation—as well as those who may have not done so in a while—to rest and refuel and to feel renewed.
TRACKING AIRFARES
It seems that air travel prices are constantly going up. This is experienced during peak holidays and for popular locations, especially when you don’t begin searching until late in the game. Setting at least one alert online will enable notifications when prices have dropped on your desired travel plans, thanks to algorithms that track prices based on variables such as dates, routes, airports, and the number of stops on your flight. The following are three of the most popular resources.
Skyscanner does what it sounds like: It scans the web for global flight offers, allowing travelers to click through to make reservations directly with the airline or provider. It shows the price you will be charged sans any hidden fees. Google Flights is an uncluttered and easy-to-use option that lists a plane’s features, including Wi-Fi options, the amount of legroom, and the availability of power outlets. momondo is owned by KAYAK’s parent company Booking Holdings, Inc. Like KAYAK, this Denmark-based search engine allows you to choose outbound and returning flights from different carriers. It will direct you to the cheapest online travel agency to book your flights versus the airline’s site.
ONE-STOP ORGANIZATION
When you are only planning for one person, the job of coordinating flights, lodging, dining, and activities may not be that challenging. Add in family and/or friends, and organizing everything, while still fun, may prove difficult. I suggest using one of the following tools that can help you do all of your trip planning in one place.
With TripIt, all you need to do is sign up for the free service (a Pro plan is available too) and forward your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com. Then TripIt will create a master itinerary and organize all of your plans in seconds. The tool also creates a schedule of your plans—where, when, and how to best get there—that you can sync with your calendar, and you can share whatever information you’d like from it with others.
Both of the popular spreadsheet products, Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, can give freedom and flexibility to those who have a lot to research and organize for an upcoming trip. Although creating a spreadsheet from scratch may be time-consuming, both allow you to build pages and tabs that are tailored to you and your family. You can make entries and cells linkable, include photos and formulas, share with others, and keep it all within your Google or Microsoft account.
A HELPFUL BLOG
In my research for this article, I came across Gather and Go Travel, the brainchild of Janice Moskoff and her husband Jordan, who began traveling together more than 2 decades ago and have been to more than 50 countries. Their experiences eventually turned into a blog and a business designed for families, friends, and couples touring the U.S. and international destinations.
I enjoyed “traveling” this site, and I feel that the content and writing are strong, provide some great advice, and truly meet the needs of people who want to see the world without the stress and frustration that can sometimes come with planning, organizing, and executing their vacations with success. Oh, and it’s fun to virtually travel with Moskoff too, by looking through the photos on her Destinations page. |
