After the hustle and bustle of your 9-to-5 drains your social battery, a single week-long vacation may not be enough to recover from an untreated case of corporate burnout.
Studies show that it takes about eight full days to acclimate to vacation living and unwind fully.
By that point, your week off will be nearing its end.
To fully reap the benefits of your tropical vacations, you’ll need to turn your back on your workaholic impulses and schedule an expert-recommended eight-day-long vacation.
Unlike weekend getaways and two-day staycations, extended vacations grant vacation-goers the opportunity to live like the locals, recharge after back-to-pack presentations and product launches, and even cut travel costs.
Despite the emotional benefits of more vacation time, these extended vacations require detail-oriented planning.
Should you decide to book your trip on a whim or procrastinate vacation preparations to the last minute, you may not be able to take full advantage of your limited vacation time.
Luckily, there are several steps you can take to guarantee your vacation is mentally-reenergizing from the moment your airplane takes flight.
Ship your vehicle to your final destination
Not many vacation-goers consider the benefits of bringing your vehicle along on your adventure.
When spending thousands of miles away from your home base, you’ll have to dedicate a hefty chunk of change to ride-share services, bus fare, and the occasional train ride.
To opt-out of public transportation inconveniences, many vacationers will simply rent a car once they reach their destination, which comes with the headache of added fees and piles of paperwork.
Add in the anxiety of dodging roadside hazards, abiding by foreign traffic laws, and touring uncharted territory.
Your relaxing tropical vacation will take a turn for the worst.
Not to mention, leaving your car behind for an extended period also comes with its own set of worries.
For example, a dead battery or deflated tires may greet your sunkissed family upon your return.
Worse, if you don’t have a garage or adequate cover for your vehicle, you run the risk of extreme weather or car thieves inflicting damage to your car.
Shipping your car to your vacation destination through a reputable car shipping provider like Guardian Auto Transport can relieve all of these concerns and offer travelers a stress-free option for transportation while using their accrued PTO.
Consider what to pack
Packing for a long-term vacation can be more complicated than you may anticipate.
Fortunately, vacation-goers can employ the following time-saving and space-saving strategies and shave precious hours off tedious housekeeping tasks.
For example, travelers can opt for hotels with laundry facilities.
By having access to this resource on your vacation, you can wash and re-wear clothing items, allowing you to pack less and keep your clothes clean on your time off.
Travel enthusiasts can also pack a capsule wardrobe with staples that you can mix-and-match for a fresh look every day.
This method helps you save space in your suitcase, allowing you to bring more everyday necessities.
Draft a budget
Those travelers who decide to commit to a long-term vacation will have to come to terms with their reality that money isn’t an unlimited resource.
By budgeting out your lodging, food, and transportation, you can find ways to save and store away a rainy-day fund for extra spending or unforeseen circumstances.
To avoid emptying your wallet, research the costs of living for your destination and estimate how much you think you’ll spend every day.
If you’re traveling internationally, it’s essential to keep the currency exchange rate in mind to ensure that you’re budgeting appropriately.
Keep in mind sustainable traveling options
Investing in reusable products for your travels will ensure that you reduce your carbon footprint while napping poolside or kayaking in crystal blue waters.
Purchasing reusable water bottles will discourage you from buying single-use plastic water bottles while on-the-go.
Additionally, acquiring refillable toiletry bottles will eliminate the need to buy travel-size hygiene products that often don’t get recycled and only contribute to growing landfills.
By keeping sustainability in mind during your extended vacation, you can feel good about the choices you make during your time off.
The bottom line
Undeniably, extended vacations yield more psychological and productivity-boosting benefits than the run-of-the-mill weekend getaway.
However, there’s much to consider before setting your out-of-office vacation and going off the grid.
Each checklist item you mark off will help you guarantee a relaxing and worry-free vacation of a lifetime.