Vacation may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, which probably means that you could use one. Instead of waiting until you are completely burnt out or till it’s too late to plan a decent trip, just take a few minutes to consider where it is that you would rather be, who you would want to be with, and/or what you wish you were doing right now.
1… 2… 3… GO!
What’s the first thing that came to mind? It’s definitely some place warm for me… as soon as the New Year rolls around, I am ready for sunshine and beautiful weather again. I barely even like the beach, but I always start fantasizing about being close to one before January comes to an end.
However, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t necessarily the best option for you. For instance, my weekend getaway in February was not anywhere close to the beach. The exercise we did just gets your mindset where it should be to start planning your next vacation.
Here you will find my top three tips for planning your next vacation:
1. Choose a “Bucket List” Location
Don’t know what a “Bucket List” location is? Hear me out…
The last time I went to Colorado was in July of 2020, and we spent the majority of our trip off-roading in our Jeep near Purgatory, visiting my husband’s close friends in Colorado Springs, and touring one of the flight training areas of the Air Force Academy with my daughter. We also managed to spend an entire day driving through most of Rocky Mountain National Park before grabbing dinner at a small pub in Estes Park. I remember thinking about how beautiful it must be in the wintertime, and we talked about wanting to make another trip out there to see it all covered in snow. So, we added a winter trip to Estes Park, Colorado onto our Bucket List!
Well, guess what… we did it! Last weekend while the Super Bowl was taking place in Las Vegas, we traveled out to meet family at rental cabin in Estes Park, CO, and it was even more stunning than I could have ever imagined! We relaxed in our cabin where my mother cooked some delicious meals for the whole family. We played games and read books. We got lucky with a snow day and went sledding in the driveway and at Rocky Mountain National Park. When the winter storm had passed the following day, we walked the downtown area and had some ice cream. We also visited the rock museum where the little ones picked out gemstones to keep as souveniers. Last and definitely not least, we drove around and saw some of the wildlife in the area. Now we can check that trip off of our bucket list!
- When you are choosing a location for your next vacation, try to make it a place where you have always wanted to go and make sure it’s the right time of year for you to do and see the things you really want to do and see there. Think ahead about what you desire most from the vacation too. Are you getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or are you in need of a little bit of thrill and excitement?
- What will meals look like for you? Will you cook? Order takeout? Enjoy the local spots recommended by your favorite foodie?
- How many people will you be traveling with?
- Do you need your own vehicle or can you Uber it?
- Will you want to spend a lot of time inside of your accommodations to relax or maybe not much time at all? This should help you decide between an Airbnb versus a hotel room.
- Is there any specific activity that you absolutely must do that requires tickets or reservations in advance? Secure those but be careful not to add too many of those in such little time.
Whatever you decide, make sure the location you have in mind is a place you really want to experience and that you have the means to experience the way you want to.
This tip isn’t just for long-distance trips but can be applied to staycations as well; we all have those spots we have been meaning to experience right in our hometown.
2. Plan for Photos
Don’t roll your eyes! I cannot stress enough how special it is to have professional photos taken during any vacation (or staycation), especially ones where your family and loved ones will be joining you. I am also aware that not every family has a built-in professional photographer, mostly because I am a photographer who is seemingly never in my own family photos UNLESS we hire another photographer to take my family photos for me. Let me tell you something, it is so worth the extra investment! I love doing these Lifestyle “Vacation” Photography Sessions for couples and families, because I know the photos will be cherished and savored as memories for years to come. Approximately ZERO people ever regret booking a professional lifestyle photography session during a family vacation, but women and moms like me will almost always regret NOT booking one in advance.
You will want to plan ahead on this:
- Think about who you want photos of (the number of people) and what you hope to see in the background (a preferred location), and maybe even the style and aesthetic you love, etc.
- As previously mentioned, I recommend Lifestyle Photography Sessions for vacation photos.
- Contact a photographer in the area where you will be traveling with as much notice as possible (like ASAP); you can do a simple Google search or search for one on social media (hashtags are your best friend for this, especially on Instagram).
- Another option is to pay a premium to have your favorite photographer travel with you to document your trip (yes, some of us love to do this, including me). Either way, plan on paying for your session and booking them as soon as you have a specific date and location in mind.
P.S. A “lifestyle” session is a style of photography that involves capturing photos to document real life moments. These photos are not posed, rather the photographer may offer some guidance via fun prompts to get the candid shots you desire, like all the sweet giggles of a little one as mom and dad tickle them or lift them into the air or even the tenderness of a soft kiss between you and your love.
3. Pack with Intention
Let me say it again for the people in the back: be intentional about what you pack!
Whether you are planning on checking bags or only taking a carry-on, make sure you pack the essentials at a minimum. I am not a big shopper or really into fashion, but I have always loved the ease of a minimalist capsule wardrobe. This type of wardrobe works great for me as a mama and entrepreneur, and also for my own personal branding photos because every piece can be mixed and matched to coordinate perfectly for a simple but classic look. If you don’t have a capsule wardrobe (let’s face it, they can be a little boring), it’s okay, you can still pack like you have one!
- Choose some neutral-colored tops of your preference that are appropriate for the weather, i.e. black, cream, and a beige, grey, brown, or camel.
- Also pack some bottoms in denim, black, and maybe something in a soft or vibrant color that you absolutely love.
- Steer clear of clothing that fits too tight or too loose; if you do like both of those things, aim for a nice pair of leggings with a loose top.
- Keep logos to a minimum. Avoid graphics at all costs (unless you’re trying to promote the brand who created it).
- Stripes and patterns are okay in limited amounts (just make sure they are not on everyone who will be in your photos and try not to be too matchy-matchy in that case).
- Shoes should be comfortable.
- Don’t forget weather appropriate outerwear and a few of your favorite accessories.
- You may also want to pack hair and makeup products, and hygiene items to maintain a fresh look throughout your trip.
Pro Tip: Pack some Santa hats to wear in a couple of photos to be more intentional about using the images on your Christmas card this year.
Here’s a few staple pieces from my own closet:
Planning ahead isn’t just for business, it can be used for best results in our personal lives and for our vacations too. Surely, planning our vacations ahead of time helps to achieve the best trips ever, as long as we don’t overdo it by scheduling too much. My top three tips for planning a vacation are the only three things I plan ahead of time when I travel (except of course the mode of travel itself) … everything else stays flexible.
If you find yourself vacationing or stay-cationing in Las Vegas (or another location you know I have travelled to), please don’t hesitate to reach out for my recommendations on what to see, where to eat, photography, or anything else. Fill out my contact form or email me directly at hello@juliafredricksen.com <3
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