Best Vacation Sites for Quick Getaways
“Investment in travel is an investment in yourself.” ~ Matthew Karsten
What does your calendar look like for the next few months? If it’s like that of many small business people, it’s pretty hectic, with more projects and deadlines than there are hours in the day. Maybe it’s time for a vacation.
I don’t have time for a vacation, you say. Well, maybe you do.
Getting away helps with your stress, gives you some new perspective when you return, and face it, you could always use some new anecdotes in your repertoire (“Your problem reminds me of the time I was at a burlesque show in Prague...”--?)!
A three-day weekend may not require dipping into your planned vacation days. Even better, if it's within driving distance you will keep costs down, and if it's a destination that's off-season, you can usually save a lot of money by booking at the last minute.
Need some inspiration and/or some travel know-how? Here are some of the best getaway websites out there:
- You might be tempted to spend an entire weekend looking at the beautiful photos of travel spots on VacationIdea: Dream Vacation Magazine. There are so many ideas for vacations on there, with articles like “16 Best Things to Do with Kids in Chicago” and “31 Best Romantic Wisconsin Getaways and Destinations.” You're bound to find something to interest you, as well as loads of travel tips.
- US News and World Report has a travel website which ranks different vacation sites, offers travel advice, and has many categories for vacations—like foodie destinations!
- If you're concerned that a limited vacation time might mean a boring time, Renata Jiraslova's blog 3 Nights In... will show you that even the shortest stint could provide you with a fabulous adventure.
- Looking for something a little more exotic? You might be surprised at the deals you may encounter on Zozi, like a week-long secluded Greek island trip for 2 for $259 (airfare not included). There are trip suggestions for the U.S., too. Be sure to read the vacation descriptions—the beautiful prose is almost as good as actually being there!
- “Travel on a Pirate's Budget” is the motto for Travel Pirates. They've been nominated for the Best Social/Lifestyle App for 2016 by the Best Mobile App Awards, and they're great for keeping their users up-to-date on the latest and greatest deals, like discounts through Groupon and LivingSocial.
- Checking out the top deals available on Orbitz could help you find some money-saving specials, as well as some inspiration. (A $24/night package for a 3-star hotel in Vegas? Who knew?)
- If you’re looking for a great resource for those last-minute trips, Hotwire allows you to shop by destination, theme, or cost.
When you look at your calendar again, think about how you can manage some time away from home. It'll be well worth it.