How to Plan a Short-Stay Couple’s Getaway that Goes Off Without a Hitch

When you think of the typical vacation, you tend to think about getting away for a week or two, heading off to some exotic destination, and really having a chance to relax and explore. While there are certainly vacations that follow this exact kind of model, sometimes you don’t have the available time or budget to head off on a long trip. Instead this is when a short-stay getaway can be the perfect solution. You are still able to enjoy a holiday, but in a condensed manner.

Short stay holidays can work any time of year and for anyone, but can be particularly appealing to couples. It can be that perfect way to spend some time together, get a break from the stress of everyday life, and unplug from the world, at least for a short period of time.

If you’re new to the whole short-stay approach to a getaway, then this guide is made for you. Here we’ll take a look at a number of tips that will help you plan a trip that goes off without a hitch, and ends up being exactly what you hoped it would be.

Choose a Nearby Destination

Now, because you only have a weekend available, you want to be sure that you pick a destination that doesn’t take a whole lot of time to travel to. The last thing you want to do is spend the majority of your getaway in transit. Let’s take for example that you live in the bustling city of Toronto and you want to get away for a few days. Well, chances are that a trip to Europe isn’t really going to be on the cards. Instead, look for destinations that you can get to in a couple of hours or less.

One destination that is extremely popular with Torontonians looking for a nearby destination is New York City. You can find flights to New York City through flyporter.com that are just over an hour in length. This means you’ll have more time on the ground in NYC to explore and enjoy yourself, instead of spending hours on a plane.

Go Easy on the Itinerary

With a typical length of trip, it’s quite normal to create an itinerary packed with things to see and do. If it’s a short stay getaway you are booking, you may not want to take this same approach. While there is nothing wrong with sightseeing and trying out different activities, it’s important to keep in mind you don’t have tons of time. You may want to discuss how you prefer to spend your time before you actually go away on the trip, just to be sure you’re both on the same page.

It might be a good idea to cap off the activities to just a couple of days so that you still have free time. Usually the goal of a short getaway is to get in a little relaxation time, a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, so the last thing you want to do is run from one thing to the next on holiday. Not only that, but it adds pressure to your day as you try to stick to your itinerary.

Pick a Centrally Located Hotel

Another tip is to look closely at the location of your hotel. Again, it goes back to a timing issue. If you plan on exploring a city or destination, then you want to be located near the top attractions and sights so that you aren’t spending as much time travelling to them. A short-stay holiday is really about maximizing your time.

If you can just walk out the door of your hotel lobby and right into all the action, this is going to allow you to do and see a whole lot more on your trip than if you have to commute for an hour or more to each spot. Not only will it end up taking you longer to reach all the attractions, but you’ll have added transportation costs of getting to those areas. A centrally located hotel can cost more, but you’ll likely re-coup that money in the amount you save on transportation.

When picking the best hotel, be sure to read customer reviews online as they will often provide insight into how good or bad the location truly is.

Short Stays Can Provide You with More Happy Memories Overall

Here’s another tip that is actually a really interesting one. Did you know that studies have shown that if you take a number of short breaks throughout the year, you will accumulate more happy memories than if you just booked one typical length of holiday?

If you think of the typical seven-day long holiday, you would think you’ve got seven days’ worth of “great times” to look forward to. Here’s the thing, experts have said that each day you are there, you feel less excited, and by the end of the trip you may not even appreciate being away any longer. Chances are that you will have more fun on day one than on day seven, and make more memories on that first day.

So, you can take this theory and apply it to a short stay holiday. If you’re only gone a couple of days, you don’t have a chance for that excitement to fade.

Pack Light and Opt for a Carry-On

If you will be flying to your destination, then another tip is to skip checking a big suitcase and to opt for a carry-on bag instead. When you go with a checked bag, you will then have to wait around after your flight to pick up your bag. If you only have a carry-on, you’ll be able to start your holiday that much faster since you can just get off the plane and not have to worry about stopping at baggage claim.

Using a carry-on bag also means you won’t have to worry about your luggage being lost, which can throw a real wrench in your vacation. You will have the peace of mind knowing that everything you need you’ve got, and there is no chance of it being misplaced.

Now this does mean you’ll need to pack light and take only the necessities. It may be helpful to use an online packing list to keep you organized and ensure you aren’t going overboard. What’s great about these packing lists is that they are usually generic enough that you can use them again and again regardless of the destination or type of holiday. Of course, you can always personalize it and add in a few extra items you’ll need.

Dress in Layers

The final tip is to use the rule of layering when it comes to clothes. Rather than pack all kinds of outfits that you really won’t need in a such a short time, go with layers. This will allow you to be comfortable in all weather conditions, plus you can mix and match the layers so it appears as though you’ve got more outfits than you really packed.

A short-stay holiday can be exactly what you need in order to get away from your everyday stress, connect with one another, and really just slow down and enjoy some happy moments together.

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