Travel

Vacation!

Tips for planning your spring/summer 2022 trips with confidence... by Amanda Harper

While we were all probably hoping for a little more certainty in 2022, it still feels like a lot of our travel plans are up in the air. If you’re planning a spring or summer vacation, here are some tips to help make the entire process as smooth and worry-free as possible.

Make Use of Credits

If you have airline ticket credits from canceled flights in 2020, many expire this year. Make sure to check the expiration deadline. Some travelers who originally had international plans are sticking to domestic flights only, which may result in a partial refund or additional airline vouchers; you’ll have to check with your airline for exact details. However, most airlines are not fully refunding these credits – and many won’t allow transferring the tickets to another person – so use ‘em or lose ‘em.

Do Your Research

It’s more important than ever to get Googling if you want to take a trip. Look into the current situation in your destination and whether your hotel and transportation offers flexible cancellation policies. Some travel destinations are now requiring special insurance or proof of vaccination, as well. Arm yourself with as much information as you can before you commit. On the flip side, a little digging might turn up some great deals on certain locales!

Check Your Passport

When’s the last time you looked at your passport? Many, many travelers are realizing too late that their passports have expired. You also want to make sure your passport, ID and travel ticket names are an exact match. Making a copy of the photo page of your passport isn’t a bad idea, either: if your passport gets lost, having a copy can make the replacement process so much smoother.

Trust a Professional

Many people skip consulting travel agents or advisors, but this year especially, it may be more beneficial than ever before to trust your travel plans to a professional. These experts are staying upto-the-minute on travel advisories, restrictions and deals, and will best understand exactly when you need to book each leg of your adventure.

Treat Yourself

We’re all in need of a little self-care. Consider your options to upgrade your experience. Whether it’s a nicer seat on the plane or a spa package you would’ve previously skipped, be sure to give yourself a little pampering this year. You won’t regret a moderate splurge.

Get Going

Rather than one big trip, many people are opting for multiple shorter trips, like weekend getaways or staycations. Others are choosing locations that offer lots of outdoor activities, making the entire journey less likely to be impacted by changing travel restrictions. However you choose to pursue your joy this year, get going!

According to travel experts...

demand for travel in 2022 is going to be higher than ever. Book early, and consider outof-the-way destinations that won't be as crowded. You'll benefit from lower travel fares and a lot more fun!

TOP International Destinations:

» South Africa » Costa Rica » Greece » Singapore » Cook Islands

TOP Domestic Destinations:

» Napa Valley, California » Louisville, Kentucky » Charleston, South Carolina » Jackson Hole, Wyoming » Savannah, Georgia

Is a group trip right for you?

Since so many of us are itching for a trip, but also for quality time with our favorite people. A group trip might seem like the obvious solution for these two desires. But is it right for you and your crew? We weigh the pros and cons below to help you decide, whether you’re thinking of a fun girls’ weekend or a big family vacay!

Pro:

The most obvious reason why a group trip is a great choice is that you get to share a magical, memorable experience with your loved ones. Having the opportunity to connect in this way to your family, friends or even colleagues is absolutely priceless. With Covid still looming, traveling with your own crew can make it easier to limit your contact with other people. Just be sure to make rules about what level of exposure you’re all comfortable with in your time apart during the trip! Traveling in a group can mean huge cost savings. If you share a single space, the price breakdown often beats individual hotel fare. Many modes of travel offer companion pricing while certain venues will offer group rates if your cohort is large enough. On top of that, you can split costs of food and more!

Con:

For every person you add to the party, you’re adding a new personality and different interests. The wrong mix can put a real damper on everyone’s fun. Clashing personalities, strained relationships, naysayers… it’s always a mixed bag. If this is a concern for you, be sure to carefully plan to separate people who don’t get along or to accommodate people who tend to poo-poo every idea for fun. Another big con is that you lose a lot of the flexibility that solo travel offers. It’s harder to follow your whims when you have your fellow travelers to consider. You may find yourself passing up on experiences that you’d love to enjoy. A final “con” is the financial considerations. Splitting the costs for various aspects of travel can become a real headache. If someone in your group is struggling financially, it may fall to others to help foot the bill. And let’s be honest: someone is always going to weasel out of some of the expenses.