People may think that planning a vacation is stressful but in fact, it can actually be very enjoyable. Figuring out how you are going to pull off the next holiday can give you relief and you feel as though you are in control of the trip which makes it more exciting. Follow these steps to make it happen:
Put more thought into the planning
This may seem easy and fun, but it does have some questions. Does your budget allow you to go here? Will the destination matter if you plan it yourself or via a travel agent? Can you drive there or do you have to fly? You need to be sure about this as the more you know the better you can plan that holiday realistically.
Setting your budget
Your vacation is your finish line. This is where you are going to start and mark out the steps that are going to happen in order to get there. It is time to determine how you are going to spend your money and what you are going to spend it all on. How much are you going to spend on meals, souvenirs, tours, etc. Are you going to make multiple trips to the local luxury day spa or are you planning to spend more on fine dining experiences? If you’re a little over the budget you can scale it back or just cross it off the list altogether. Get your plan organised so you know exactly where you stand.
Look for the deals
There are so many deals all over the internet that can help you to score deals on hotels, tickets, airline travels etc. Ensure you look for the deals after you have got your budget in place first because when you know how much you need to spend you know what you need to save. Secondly, it is a great morale booster so you can see exactly when you are coming in under your budget when you find a great deal. Another tip when you are on a budget is to not decide on any particular hotel and pick from those that are actually offering discounted rates. You can find these offers simply by searching the name of the place you are going to, followed by ‘hotel offers’. If you are going to Hobart for example, searching for Hobart hotel offers will give you a list of affordable options for your next accommodation in Hobart.
Saving and working
You need to be working and saving up the money now, so you won’t have to deal with the added interest if you take out a personal loan. If you are doing double shifts or taking on some extra freelance work in order to get the money you need to ensure you are finding ways to keep motivated. Find a nice image of the destination you want to go and cut it up into a few pieces and every time you hit a new savings mark put a piece of the puzzle together so you can achieve more of the picture each time.
Say goodbye and enjoy
You have planned the holiday, got the budget ready so now it is time to live it up. Enjoy all those extra shifts you took at work and those extra things you missed out on in order to save for the holiday so let your hair down and enjoy. Don’t be stuck paying for your holiday months after it is over and gone.
Does this sound simple? It sure is and people want instant gratification which is why people don’t plan holidays this way instead they go and get the funds from a lender and take off. It is more special and enjoyable if you have worked hard for it yourself. Be proud of your accomplishments and once you are home from this trip you can start saving for the next.
Have a plan, make a budget, don’t stress just enjoy.
The following section of this article is dedicated to Tasmania. If you have not been to the beautiful island-state, here are 5 reasons why you should plan your next trip to Tasmania.
Australia’s biggest island is under-developed and people often remark that coming in Tasmania is like stepping back in time. Similar in size to the Republic of Island, life in ‘Tassie’ (as it is affectionately known) is all about the great outdoors.
1. Rewarding hikes with picturesque views
If you only have time to see one national park, ensure it is the Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania’s east coast. This magnificent region of pink granite mountains, white sandy beaches and dense eucalyptus woods enjoys the yearlong sunshine and is home to Wineglass Bay. Unfeasibly picturesque, this bay is Tasmania’s most photographed natural attraction. The climate here makes for ideal walking conditions since you’ll avoid some of those sweltering heat of mainland Australia. If you are planning a trip here, it is advised to spend a couple of nights in the luxury accommodation located next to the wineglass bay. The Saffire Freycinet hotel offers complimentary tours which allow you to interact and enjoy what the area has to offer.
2. Breathe the purest air
As recorded by the air pollution station at Cape Grim, on Tasmania’s north-western tip, fresh air doesn’t get any cleaner than this.
3. Feast on the best local produce – beer, superb wines and flavorful seafood
Tasmania creates outstanding food, beer and wine with the emphasis on fish. Enjoy new oysters in Barilla Bay and freshly captured Abalone, Crayfish and Australian salmon in Bicheno, just north of the Freycinet Peninsula. In the city area, indulge in locally-sourced dishes at one of the fine dining restaurants in Hobart.
If you are interested in wine tasting, Hobart is surrounded with the southern wine areas. Here, you can enjoy lazy afternoons at charming vineyard restaurants where long lunches are accompanied by excellent cool-climate wines.
The Cascade Brewery is the oldest brewery in Australia. Dating back to 1824, its origins in the most unlikely of locations — Hobart Gaol. While serving time for failing to cover his debts to England, Peter Degraves came up with his plan to harness Tasmania’s pure flow water to make the most outstanding cool, crisp and refreshing beer. He was also the one who designed and built the brewery from the ground up and the rest is history. Aside from that, the area it is located in; Richmond village is a popular destination for romantic getaways in Tasmania.
4. Shop, then linger in a café in historic Salamanca Market in Hobart
Steeped in history, Salamanca Place is popular with tourists because of its expansive Georgian sandstone buildings, artists’ galleries and studios as well as its own buzzing café and pub scene. Go on a Saturday morning once the square is blocked from traffic to your colourful Salamanca Marketplace – a Hobart institution. More than 300 stalls compose the market that’s open from 8 am until 3 pm every Saturday. While you navigate the bustling marketplace, you’ll be entertained by buskers playing everything from folk or jazz to blues. Also, look out for food stalls offering dishes made from fresh local ingredients — the perfect breakfast experience while in Hobart.
5. Spot Tasmania’s unique creatures including the Tasmanian Devil
For an up-close view, visit Trowunna Wildlife Park at Mole Creek, 40 minutes south of Devonport. This is only one of the greatest places to see Tasmanian Devils, in addition to a vast range of marsupials, reptiles and birds.
