How to Plan Your Perfect Vacation

Whether you’re going away for a long weekend or a 2-week getaway, sometimes planning the perfect vacation can be daunting. Sure, you’ve got your packing lists, maps and itineraries, but what about those little details that can make your vacay juuuust right? I asked some of my fellow Philadelphia bloggers for their best tried-and-true travel tips so you can plan your next vacation like a pro. Check it out!

Planning, Packing & Preparing

Explore Instagram: “As silly as it sounds, one of the things I did for an upcoming trip was checked out restaurants I had read about on different travel blogs on Instagram via the geotags. I saw what people were saying, what the food what was like, etc. I found new places to check out and made reservations a few weeks in advance, all thanks to Insta!” –Camille of Positive Publicity

Schedule to Save: “If your bank is able to do this fancy, 21st century transaction, set up your account to have a certain amount automatically moved to your savings so that you won’t even have to look or think about the money. Be accountable and don’t touch it! Remember your goal!” –Dara of Avenue Eighty-Nine

Pack smart: “Cover ups that can also double for wearing around the resort fashionably. I like to wear a cover up that is fashionable enough to be seen in at the restaurants and bars around the resort, especially so I don’t immediately have to change after spending time at the beach or pool.” –Clarissa of Clarissa Explains It All

Do your research: “Even if you don’t buy the book about the place you’re visiting, do some research on the area you’re going to be visiting. Make a list of things you’d like to do. Get a map and study it a little bit before you get there so that you have a general idea of where the big monuments are in relation to each other and where you’re staying.” –Chrystina of Chrystina Noel

Check the CDC: “The CDC is the Center for Disease Control & Prevention. If the country you’re going to has vaccination requirements, you will want to take care of these a few weeks in advance. Check in with your doctor for the easiest way to fulfill all of these requirements. Or just google where you can get things like that taken care of in your city.” –Chrystina of Chrystina Noel

While You’re There

Skip the jet lag: “Lavender essential oil [because] jet lag is so real. I wish I’d brought this along to help me sleep not only on the multiple plane rides, but also when I was struggling to adjust to a normal schedule.” –Kate of The Gold Sister

Save your cellphone data: “For international trips download phrase translation apps and Google maps of each city so you can access them without data.” –Jamie of Philly Food Adventures

Go grocery shopping: “Whether you’re staying in an airbnb or a hotel, making your own meals is always a money saver. You’ll also have the chance to feel like a local as you shop in the town’s grocery store. If you’re in a hotel, you can purchase non-perishable items or items that can be left out for a certian amount of time for breakfast: bagels, bananas, oranges, granola bars, etc.” –Dara of Avenue Eighty-Nine

Try public transit: “If you’re in a big city with a public transportation system, you can hop on a train, subway, or bus instead of hopping in a taxi. Not only that, but having to figure out on your own how to get from point a to point b is the best way to get familiar with a city.” –Chrystina of Chrystina Noel