Are you wondering how to make a travel plan for 2022, now that the new year is upon us? A lot may have changed in the travel industry over the last two years, but one thing remains high on many New Year’s resolutions: Travel more.
To help guide you back to your travel lifestyle as the world slowly and safely reopens, here are 9 important tips. They will help you keep stress to a minimum in this new age of travel.
After all, it’s been a while for most of us, and you’ll have new travel considerations to make. So, start with these tips, below.
CONTENTS – In this article, you’ll learn how to make a travel plan for 2022, with important tips for traveling in the new year and to save you some stress, including:
Top Tips for Planning Stress-Free Trips in the New Year
If you’ve yet to take a vacation since the pandemic started, you are not alone. And after almost two years without planning a break, the prospect of preparing for your next trip is likely to feel a little daunting.
However, vacations are supposed to be a chance to rest your body, mind, and soul.
So how can you prevent stress when traveling?
A big part of it is preventing and eliminating stress before you travel; that will be key to maximizing your fun while you’re away.
To do that, here are nine great tips to help maintain control.
#1. Know Your Budget
Nothing will cause stress like finding yourself in a new location without any money to your name. Whether taking a luxury vacation or a budget-friendly break doesn’t matter.
Luxe travel is on the rise in 2022, so you’ll see people taking more trips of a lifetime, chartering private jets, booking first class tickets, and staying at 5-star hotels.
If you’ve been squirreling travel funds away over that last 2 years, you might justify a luxury vacation to the Brando Tetiaroa island French Polynesia.
But knowing your financial situation and making decisions based on this are crucial. Not least for maintaining a clear mindset during your trip. The influence it’ll have is huge.
Even the best vacation isn’t worth jeopardizing your financial health for months to come.
With an organized mindset and realistic assessment of your finances, you won’t go far wrong.
#2. Be Ready for the Trip
Feeling ready for anything that the adventures may throw your way is a hugely important step to take. You’ll want to be sure to use the best travel tools and apps when booking the trip.
Knowing you did will give you an added sense of confidence and encourage you to download tools for while you’re away.
For example, you might also download language translators and currency exchanges.
Whether you need to use all of the apps isn’t overly important. The simple fact that you’ll feel in control of the situation is your greatest reward.
#3. Choose a Suitable Destination
When you’re thinking about holiday adventures for 2022, choose well.
Firstly, life has been particularly stressful in recent times. So, you probably won’t want to focus on physical challenges or roughing it.
While you would look back and cherish those memories, you may not have the bandwidth for additional stress. In that case, a relaxed beach break may be a better option if you’re seeking down time.
Then again, if you’re the type of person who blows off steam through exercise, a high-activity vacation might be a good fit for you.
In either case, if you are worried about Covid, choose a quieter destination or one where you can spend a lot of time outside.
#4. Tie Up Loose Ends at Home
When you’re leaving your home, you need to know that it will be safe. If you have remote-monitored or managed security, that’s great. If not, you can ask a friend, relative, or neighbor to keep an eye on things.
You must also think about the impact of your absence on loved ones. Short term respite care is ideal if you have an elderly parent. Knowing that they are in safe hands will help put you at ease while you’re away.
As well as human family members who may not join you on vacation, you should make accommodations for your pets, too. That is, unless you plan to take them with you.
Related Article: Learn more about taking your dog on vacation.
#5. Be Careful about Who You Travel With
Knowing that loved ones back home are in good company is important for your vacation. However, it is equally important to choose your travel party wisely.
Vacations are known to be a common cause of broken friendships. Given that we are now used to being less social during the pandemic, it’s an even bigger issue.
You may be ready to plan a girlfriends trip or a big couples’ vacation – which to be fair, is long overdue. Just be sure you give it ample thought.
Traveling with members of your household or people that you have previously traveled with is the best choice by far (provided you are still on good terms).
If not, a solo trip might do you a world of good!
#6. Consider a Package Deal
Before you go on vacation, you’ll want to do plenty of travel research on what to do, best places to stay, sight-see, and eat, and COVID-protocols. If the organizational elements of planning a vacation are likely to cause you stress, why not remove them?
Package deals may include everything from airport transfers and flights to onwards travel, day trips, and hotels. In short, you don’t have to worry about anything other than showing up and enjoying the adventures.
It’s probably not the type of vacation you’ll always want, as it does remove a little spontaneity. But right now, it’s an ideal way to stay relaxed, safe, and happy.
#7. Stay Domestic
After close to two years of limited travel, it may be tempting to jet halfway across the world. Popular international destinations for 2022 include London, Bali, Paris, Rome and the Mexican Caribbean.
But try not to be too impulsive. While international travel is a great experience, it’s not the only choice.
In fact, domestic vacations are more attractive than ever before. Even traveling 50 miles for a road trip can feel like you’ve entered a whole new world after such an extended period of being in the same surroundings.
Moreover, the fact that you will retain full control of your journey and when to return home can be very comforting – especially if you’ve become a little anxious since the pandemic.
Related Article: A Beginner’s Guide to Road Trips
#8. Put Your Safety First
You’ll want to relieve stress and anxiety about traveling with the threat of Covid at large by being properly prepared. That means, be sure you have the safety equipment that will make you feel secure before, during, and after your trip.
That includes bringing enough protective masks, sanitizing wipes, disinfectant for your hands, and other supplies that will make you feel more comfortable.
It may also mean choosing to semi-isolate before and after your trip – before, because you don’t want to get sick before you go, and after, so you don’t infect any other if you’re a carrier. While we certainly don’t advise stockpiling at-home Covid tests, it’s not a bad idea to have one on hand for an emergency.
Finally, make sure you are happy with the safety protocols of the transportation, hotel, restaurants, and attractions you’ll visit. Find out if you’ll need a vaccine passport and COVID-19 testing when you visit, too.
#9. Remember it’s A Vacation
The worst thing you can do at this time is introduce more pressure. Sure, you want to have a great vacation. However, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t tick off all the goals that you’ve set for it.
As long as you enjoy your time away, that is all that matters. Listen closely when your body tells you that you need a day to relax rather than see an attraction.
Ultimately, the purpose of your vacation is to relax, recharge, and create magical memories. Focus on these simple goals and success will be assured.
Final Thoughts on How to Make a Travel Plan That’s Stress-Free
Now that you know how to make a travel plan based on our current reality, hopefully you’ll feel a little less stressed navigating the process in 2022. Plus, it offers some reassurance that the possibility for travel is less a matter of “if,” and more a matter of “when and how.”
Happy planning!
Photo credit: Feature – Darkmoon_Art , Map – stokpic (Pixabay)
If I plan a tour in Dubai, my first visiting choice would be Dubai miracle garden, because I can see on google search there are lots of flowers of different types, there is a flower-covered airplane, and flower watch, flower lady, this is vary attractive creativity and I would like to see all that. so my choice is visit the Dubai miracle garden: https://www.dubaimiraclegarden.com/
Thanks, John. Great suggestion!
We are doing a domestic trip for a while Jackie. Lots of road trips around the USA. We have done international travel for a decade. Now it is time to see much more of home.
I’m feeling the same way, Ryan. There are so many great destinations right here at home!