7. Laugh about it. When things don’t go well, when you get lost, when your rental car breaks down and you’re stuck at a gas station for hours while the rental company tries to find you a towing company that’s open on Memorial Day (yes, this really happened), when your flight is delayed multiple times and you are stuck in an airport all day, and then when your flight is cancelled and you have to stay overnight when you thought you’d be home already (yes, this also happened), make the best of it. Inevitably, not everything will go perfectly. But remember that you’re still on vacation and it’s not ruined. Laugh, enjoy your company, and if circumstances allow, use the opportunity to talk to the locals. Some of these mistakes were our best times on our trip, and these are the moments that will make your vacation memorable.
Although planning a vacation is a major responsibility, if you make the most of it and follow the tips that work for you, it will be worthwhile. Always keep in mind that you are on vacation to have fun and relax, and don’t lose sight of why you’re there. Happy planning!
4. Don’t try to see everything. When you go to a new place, it can be tempting to pack your schedule full of events and sightseeing, but make sure you take time to relax. The one day that we fit a lot into our schedule (the Winchester House in San Jose, the Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, and Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey), I got sick and then we slept in, giving us a late start on the next day. Our best days were the slow, laid-back ones when we got a chance to take everything in. It’s okay to stay busy and see a lot, but make sure you also schedule a little time to slow down and take in your surroundings so your vacation doesn’t feel rushed.
5. Don’t try to document everything. Along the same lines as the last point, take pictures but don’t take so many pictures that you don’t get a chance to see things for yourself. Every now and then, put your phone or your camera in your bag and just enjoy yourself.
6. Don’t regret not seeing everything. We learned that no matter what, when you get home, someone will ask, Why didn’t you see (fill in the blank)?!!! Be confident in knowing you saw everything you set out to see, and that if you missed anything you really want to see, you can go back someday!