First, here are some general tips for making the most of any short vacation:
PAINLESS PLANNING: HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT ITINERARY FOR A
weekend trip BY LILI SARAJIAN
While international travel is still a distant daydream, there are a few feasible ways to get away from it all like road-tripping and staying in rental homes to avoid crowds. Or, if you’re like me, you can get your fix by wistfully planning weekend trips that will, maybe, hopefully, happen down the road. After planning a three-day trip to Austin, TX, I realized there’s a real art to doing the weekend vacation well. Factoring in travel time, transportation, and, of course, sleep, you’re left with a lot less than 72 hours. But after taking many mini trips to cities like Portland, New York and Boston, I’ve come up with a rough formula for how to best explore any city in three days.
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SOUVENIRS
• Arrive early on day one and leave as late as possible on day three • Try to prevent travel fatigue or jet lag by staying hydrated and sleeping during the flight (or taking turns with another driver during the car ride) • If you’re staying in a hotel, contact them ahead of time to see if you can check your bags in early • Pick out a few sites, activities and restaurants that you want to try before you arrive so that you don’t waste precious time deciding what to do when you get there • Take pictures! While it might seem like you’re detracting from the journey by stopping to take pictures, finding the perfect spot for a photo shoot can often lead you to the best places in the city and you’ll appreciate looking back on the memories • Consider renting an Airbnb or doing a house swap to get a more authentic feel for what it’s like to live there With that in mind, let’s travel!
Day 1
The first day is crucial to setting the tone of your trip. It’s a fine balance between slowly adjusting after a morning of travel and making the most of your limited time. After you reach your destination, I would recommend dropping off your luggage, freshening up, and then heading right back out the door for a casual, self-guided walking tour of the city. Taking a stroll around the city right away will quickly immerse you in the hustle and bustle, the sights and smells, and the overall flow of life in the city. Walking can also help you brush off some of your travel fatigue while giving you an opportunity to get your bearings for easier navigation later on. Plus, traveling on foot can help you figure out which places are popular without Google’s help. You might even find a hole-in-the-wall that only locals know about! After all that walking, you’ll undoubtedly be ready for some food. Here’s my top tip for first-day eating: start with what that city does best. If you’re in Philadelphia, eat Philly Cheesesteak; if you’re in Maine, you’d better try a lobster roll. I see no reason to save the best for last! You might as well set your standards high and
