Sometimes you can only get away for a few days, which can feel like you’re getting gypped out of a full vacation, but short trips can be satisfying if you know how to make the most of them. We’re sharing some simple ways to maximize your time on a short trip.
Know what you want to see
Don’t waste time once you arrive by aimlessly wandering looking for things to see and do. By knowing in advance what attractions or activities you want to have on your itinerary you can plan a route and be efficient about your sightseeing. Before you go, make a list of the things you really don’t want to miss and create a travel plan based around your must-sees.
Stay somewhere central
Booking a room off the beaten track can be fun when you have more time to explore, but if you want to see as much as you can in a short time it’s important to stay somewhere central and close to public transportation. That way you won’t waste time getting where you need to go. If the city you’re going to is walkable, choose a hotel that’s close to some of the major attractions you want to visit.
Take a sightseeing tour
One of the best ways to cover a lot of ground and get a good overview of a destination in a short time is by taking a tour. This can be a hop-on hop-off bus tour like they have in major cities like New York, Paris and Toronto, or you can book a specialty tour based on your specific interests (food, architecture, history, etc.) Do some advance research and even book a tour in advance so you can plan other activities around it.
Don’t overdo it with your itinerary
It can be tempting to try to see and do absolutely everything and to pack a ton of sightseeing into each day, but by doing so you run the risk of burning out. Letting yourself get fatigued from trying to do too much ruins the whole point of a vacation, which is to slow down and relax. Find a balance between doing and resting so you don’t end up feeling stressed out.
Leave room for spontaneity
As important as it is to plan when you’re short on vacation time, it’s also a good idea to leave some room for spontaneity. You might stumble across something you want to do that you hadn’t thought about, or get a recommendation for something interesting that wasn’t on your itinerary. Plan ahead, but leave yourself open to other opportunities that might come up during your trip.
Lead photo: Robert Couse-Baker
