Are you planning your next vacation or trip?

@uicbear (1900)
United States
April 12, 2009 8:10am CST
I have a tendency to start planning my next trip or vacation as soon as I finish with one. My next trip is a family trip to Florida (we're doing the Disney World thing) in October. I know it's quite a while before the trip, but making plans like what we'll do on what days, thing to make sure we see, making dining plans...thinking about all the details helps me pass the time before the trip. So are you planning your next vacation/trip? When and where? Do you like to plan all the details or do you just wing it when you get there?
8 people like this
33 responses
@fran429 (502)
• United States
14 Apr 09
Hello uicbear, I am currently planning our next family vacation. We're going to Atlanta, GA to see my brother. He has the whole week planned out for us for the most part... a lazer show, Braves game, House of COke (or something like that) and a gabillion other places. We're driving down, me, hubs, 6 & 9 year old girls, and the puppy... I was checking online last night about finding a hotel at a fairly decent price that is about 4-6 hours away...
• Netherlands
13 Apr 09
I don't know when our next vacation is going to be because for the next few months we have to stay pretty close to home for a lot of different reasons so I don't know where the next one will take us. But when I do know we have plans then I do always tend to start planing planes, car rentals and things like that ahead of time. As for the rest of the plans that is all according to where we are going. If we are going to visit our families then we pretty much just wing it as we have already seen everything around those areas and we never know if anyone else will have plans and it is always so much more relaxing when your winging it instead of stressing out about were we will be and what we will be eating from one day to the next. But if we are going for a sight seeing vacation, then I will tend to plan a bit more so as to include all of the things we definitely want to see and then if we have time we will again wing it to include some other things as well.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
17 Apr 09
I hate missing things that i wanted to do because I didn't take the time to plan. On a big fammily trip, my sister was so frustrated because I didn't do my usual planning and she felt like she wasn't being nearly as productive with what she want to see. Oh well, you can't make everybody happy.
1 person likes this
• Netherlands
17 Apr 09
What is that old saying? You can make some of the people happy all of the time, all of the people happy some of the time but you can's make all of the people happy all of the time... I think it is so true so you know what I do? I say PFFFT! and make myself happy!!!! I am sure that you do a very nice job Trying your best to include everything for everyone...besides...no offense meant to your sister at all, but...she easily could have taken some time off on her own and done what She wanted to do, after all you are not joined at the hip...(hopefully)!!!!
• Netherlands
17 Apr 09
OOPS!!! should have been CAN'T instead of CAN'S...SORRY!
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
13 Apr 09
Well, right now my husband and I are not sure we can afford to go do much this yr. We were actually wanting to go back to NYC this yr. but due to my having to have Cataract surgery soon so that is my main priority this yr. I am sure we will plan a little something later in the yr. It will just have to be closer to home though.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
15 Apr 09
That sounds like a plan. Yea, your health is definitely a priority. Hopefully, you'll be able to have a little getaway later on.
@chiepao (714)
• Philippines
13 Apr 09
Planning ahead of course before going on vacations or trips is a must. you might not know what will happen along the way if things aren't planned xD anyway yeah, me and my family are planning to go to HK and we'll stay there for 3 days and 2 nights this coming may :) well, not planning as what we're gonna do there but knowing what to see there would be a lot of help :) it will be scary to get lost on other countries xD
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
I get a little nervous just being in another state, couldn't imagine what it would be like to be in another country!
1 person likes this
@chiepao (714)
• Philippines
14 Apr 09
it's exciting to be in another country or state. xD Knowing what they eat, how they live etc. is an experience and additional knowledge as well :D
@NIECIE21 (365)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I too, like to plan out most of the trip in advance, I think it helps to make the time go by faster. I dont say "okay' this is this day, this is that day" unless we get tickets to something. I tend to get those and then kind of plan the rest of the trip around that...but I also like to leave some spare time so that I can do other things if something arises that I would like to do, so I dont feel like I cant. I am going to Baltimore MD in May, and have been really planning it since about December/January.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
15 Apr 09
I hear what you're saying. i usually plan a bit more than you I think, but I do make some "soft" plans that I can shift or rearrange if needed.
@csrobins (1120)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I personally hate vacations. There is too much planning and money spent and eberything ends up being more work than working itself. I would rather stay at home for my vacations, or maybe a road trip and wing it. I hate packing, taveling, preparing, and spending lots of money because I am a tourist. My family is planning a vacation unfortunately this summer which I have to go on. I am going to Orlando for a week.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
17 Apr 09
I find that planning actually helps me save money. I know how much I need to bring(for the most part) and I can set money aside for the sourveniers and what not, I'm much less likely to impulse shop. But spending money is usually part of the deal. Since we don't travel to often, I try not to worry about it too much.
@chimrani (1426)
• India
13 Apr 09
Ya i too planning a trip to Taj Mahal (one of the seven wonders of the world) And to Goa a famous beach in India
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
I have yet to see any of the natural wonders, yet....
• United States
13 Apr 09
Well we just went to great wolf indoor water park in the poconos and I miss that. We want to go the caesars palace poconos for couples sometime soon. We also plan to do Hurricane harbor at six flags sometime in June/July too.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
There's a Great Wolf up in the Wisconsin Dells about 3 hours north of me. I have yet to stay there, but some friends of mine enjoyed there stay there. It sounds like you are a water park fan.... Also in the Dells is Noah's Ark, one of the biggest water parks in the US! So if you ever plan a trip to the midwest....
@Jennlk84 (4205)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I'm currently planning my summer vacation which is going to be my HONEYMOON this year!!! Can't wait :-) My fiancee and I are heading to Florida a few days after our wedding in June. We will be staying at St. Pete Beach in Florida. I have never been there but have heard how beautiful it is. I am the type of person who likes to plan the things we'll do before we go. Some things we'll wing, but the day trips we'll take, I want to have planned ahead of time. I've already done some research and I've purchased a great resource at www.bn.com to help me out. I am so excited about my vacation/honeymoon to Florida this summer!!
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
First, congrats on your upcoming wedding! I'm not too familiar with where all the beaches are, but we went to Vero Beach in Florida in the middle of last June and it was beautiful! They kept telling us it was like 90 degrees, but with the breeze off the ocean, it was always comfortable. The sun, sand, water...I could just stare out at the water and watch the waves crash for hours (I'm sure you'll have better things to do on your honeymoon!). Once again congrats and best wishes!
@wxo200345 (101)
• China
13 Apr 09
the next vacation i can see is the internationa labor day ,i am planning for going to the world sculpture park located in china changchun with my girlfriend. i don't like the long distance trip, i prefer to rest and play around my home where i am familiar with.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
I can understand that. I too, live in a place where there is so much to see and do. I've lives a few other places, and it was only then that i learned to appreciate all that my home town had to offer.
• Philippines
13 Apr 09
Before, i don't plan because everytime we plan about it, something happen that we will cancel the whole plan. So its better to plan and do it right away or the following day. It works for us that way than. But now we learned the secret to it. Now we're planning ahead of time. Like after yesterday, after our out of town, me and my sister plan of having another out of town swimming on May 24, 2009. One month of planning and saving.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
I know what you're saying about plans not going "as planned". I usually try and have a backup plan for when things go off course. Sometimes though you just have to scrap a day and head back to the plan the next day.
@mira91 (985)
• Singapore
13 Apr 09
I'm into the tropical beach resort escape kinda thing...haha, i don't know why but i love the beach! I love water spots and all so you have to understand why i love the beach...If ever i could go onto my next vacation, i want to go to this island caled laguna redang which is situated near malaysia...kinda a long way there but well, all's good for an enjoyable vacation yea? ^_^
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
15 Apr 09
Last summer was the first time I ever had a "beach" vacation. We went to the Florida coast and stayed at a resort right on the ocean. It was something I could definitely get used to.
@hxstar (510)
• China
13 Apr 09
Yes,I have planed for my vocation this summer!I plan to go to Hunan province in China,it is a beautiful place.I have planed most of the details includeing reserve a hotel in case I cannot find one when I arrive there because too many people go there everyday!I don't plan everything in which case the travel will be not that fun!
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
15 Apr 09
I think even if i was looking for a little adventure, I would always book a hotel. I definitely want to make sure I have a place to sleep.
• Canada
13 Apr 09
I really want to go to France but I really need to work hard to save some money.But hey we gotta have some hope right ? :)
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
Sometimes have a trip as a goal to plan for can help you work and save that money you'd otherwise just waste. My friend recently went to Paris and had a great time. She did alot of the tourist stuff, like the Eiffel Tower and she went on a tour of some castles. It was great just hearing about the trip.
• United States
13 Apr 09
I wish I could get it together enough to plan things out. We usually just decide we want to go some place and make the travel and hotel arrangements on the fly. It's always hectic and I'm exhausted by the time our "vacation" is over. It's less stressfull to stay home and work! lol
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
UGH! You sound like my brother! Actually, that's why I became the family planner (something doesn't sound quite right there...oh well, anyway....). I try to make all the plans so the rest of the family doesn't have to deal with that type of stress, cause I've take care of all that. I usually build in a couple days on the end of my vacation (once we're back) to just lay around and recover from our "vacation".
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
12 Apr 09
Im getting hubby and I ready for a trip this week, we leave Thursday morning. WE are going with our best friends who's anniversary is 1 day before ours. The kids are off to family as this is a 2nd anniversary trip for us. We arent going far but I know that we will have an awesome time. Last year we went to Salem, MA. This year we are staying in our state and going to Hershey and Gettysburg PA. We are going from the 16th to the 20th. Im so excited. We actually try to plan kinda, but we end up showing up, walking around and just going where ever our feet go. We all have a great time no matter what we do! I have just gotten out the luggage, hmm that is as far as I have gotten! lol
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
That sounds like a blast. I love traveling with friends. I tend not to plan as much though with friends. Those short trips can be the best. Long enough to feel like you have really gotten away. Have fun!
@us2owls (1681)
• United States
12 Apr 09
Well I am in the UK and my next trip is home to the USA and it is already booked for May 28th. I am counting the days. When I get home I will probably be making several trips to Chicago to work on getting my British husband his residents visa so he can stay in the USA permanently with me. We also plan to take a trip to South West Texas to look for a place to live because my husband can't take the bitter cold Illinois winters. I have looked on line and found several that we might look at and hpe that our next trip back to England is our last and we will be home in America for good.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
Chicago is my kind of town...literally. I was born and raised here in the windy city. I love the city. I can totally understand your husband's dislike of our winters. The older I get the less I can tolerate them myself. Good luck with your red tape. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
13 Apr 09
Yes, I do plan my vacation. The great thing about my work is that I conduct training and is usually invited by groups, schools, companies, organization. The training will be in different places. Sometimes, when the place is great, I will extend and bring my family there. So it is sort of a working vacation. In such a case, I check in advance the place to stay, also the places that I will be visiting together with my family to have fun. Moreover, I also check the expenses that I will incur for such.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
I was able to take a couple of trips that way when my brother was traveling to conferences for work. That's a great way to combine business and pleasure.
@Reyah23 (640)
• Philippines
12 Apr 09
My vacation plan will depend on how much will i get in my quest on my online money making program. So i have to do much more effort on this. I will make my vacation trip as my motivation so i can reach my goal earning for this month.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
14 Apr 09
I'm actually saving my mylot money and money from another site for spending money on my next trip. It won't be too much, but i think i'll be able to treat my family to a nice dinner at least.
@prinzcy (32305)
• Malaysia
12 Apr 09
I already planned for a vacation with my best friend this October. We booked the air tickets last year so we can get the promotion price. Right now I am saving up for the expenses there. I don't want money to bind my fun there.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
12 Apr 09
Where are you planning to go? October is one of my favorite times to travel. Usually the weather here at home is starting to get cooler, so I plan a trip somewhere warm to get once las blast of summer before winter kicks in.