Vacation Time
As summer approaches, our minds begin to be filled with images of resorts, some nice islands, places away from our usual day-to-day worlds. Actually, it does not even have to be in summer or in far-flung getaways when and where to take a respite from our monotonous daily grinds. The next town or city may offer some rest and recreation, in their own way, as the more distant destinations. A weekend’s visit to our folks in the province can spruce up blurred family ties. Or a trip to a nearby new place can be an exciting adventure.
The countryside can be refreshing and exhilarating, offering city dwellers a chance to experience a different way of life. Many places in the province offer a natural resort atmosphere, where you can go fishing or have overnight camp-outs. And there are great local cuisine and delicacies to indulge in, especially if you come in time for the local fiesta or town fair. Most of all, it is an interesting thing to trace the local history of the place. Every place, no matter how small or modest, has its story. Ask the old folks to tell you, and then visit the important spots, buildings or streets they cite.
Vacations should be times of fun and relaxation – free from stress and worry. Especially if you seldom take the time for vacation, you don’t want anything to go wrong. Careful planning is, therefore, necessary. All good vacations entail one thing in common – proper preparation. Just because you’re going away on pleasure, and not business, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do a bit of homework first. A little effort can ensure full enjoyment of your time away.
When planning a family vacation, it’s good to involve every member of the family, including children. Adults often think that they know what their children want to see, but rarely bother to ask them. To make them feel part of the vacation, the children shall be sought to help plan it out, and parents and other family elders shall make way if what the kids want to see or do is different from what the older ones expected.
Make some research about the place you intend to visit. As soon as the destination is decided, learn beforehand as much about the place as you can. Even old, familiar places like your grandparents’ farm will have something new to offer every now and then. If your chosen destination is a new one, find out what is there to do and see, where to stay, how to get around, and how best to get there. Transportation companies, travel agents and tourism offices are traditional sources of information, but relatives and friends can help a lot too.
Decide on a budget and stick to it as much as possible. Especially when money is limited, consider the number of days you want to be away and spread your budget accordingly. This gives you the average amount you can spend per day. With an amount in mind, you can figure out how much to allocate on each item on your budget: transportation, lodging, food, and other expenses. Be sure to make allowance for the unexpected, like extending your vacation, making a side trip, extra shopping, or an unscheduled night out with new friends.
Think up of some specific activities for your vacation. It’s good to have a certain structure, or your time may simply be wasted away sleeping or doing nothing. Find other things to spend your time on, aside from the beach or listening to grandma’s recycled stories. Avoid planning on an hourly basis, though; it can cause some pressure on your time. Leave the rest of the time flexible enough for last-minute plans that will be affected by the weather, changes in your energy level and mood, as well as other unexpected things.
If you intend to stay with friends or relatives, be really sure your coming is welcome to them. Staying with people close to you can be a pleasant experience, and cheaper than staying in a hotel, but it can have its pitfalls too. Be fair, if you think your presence will cause your host some undue inconvenience or discomfort, find another place to stay.
If it’s okay to invade people’s households, offer to take care part of some household expenses during your stay. These may include electrical bills (if the kids will be frequently charging their phones and if you will be using appliances like washing machine, air conditioner etc.), water bills and groceries. You may also offer to do some of the household chores like cooking, trimming the lawn, or taking care of pets.
If you’re visiting a farm, it’s fun to collect fresh eggs in the morning with the kids, or milk the goats. It is also important to ask your host what things you’re not supposed to touch, particularly if you’re vacationing with small children.
You don’t have to go far to recharge your worn spirits. There is excitement right in our own island. Just think of what all these foreign visitors come here for all year round. Our advantage over them is: we don’t have to spend as much to enjoy the same great local destinations. So go for it – take a vacation.
“You don’t have to go far to recharge your worn spirits. ” There is excitement right in our own island. Just think of what all these foreign visitors come here for all year round.