How to take a Holiday!

Do you always hear yourself complaining that you don't take enough holidays in a year? or when u hear of your friends taking a holiday, do you get all jealous and wish you were him? Don't be.  Take a holiday yourself...I'll tell you how !

1) Plan your leave
This first step is not as daunting as you think it is. Cause your holiday can be an international one for 7-10 days long or a local holiday for a weekend to 3 days.

If you're travelling international, all you need minimum is a five day holiday clubbed with two weekends. That's 9 days at a stretch. I doubt your boss is going to not give you a week's holiday once in six months.

If you planning a short holiday, you can take a weekend off and add a Friday or Monday to it that gives you a good 3 day break !

2) Plan your money
You don't need to plan years in advance for a holiday. Even if you start planning 6 months in advance it is sufficient to start your savings. And break your expenditure into 2-3 parts. Book flights 4-5 months in advance to get the advantage of the price. Then book your hotels 2-3 months in advance and then your final expenditure is the vacation itself, i.e. meals, transport, shopping, site-seeing and adventure activities. So since your spending in three different intervals of time you have time to save more from coming months salary for the final trip.

3) Book hotels right
Don't search for expensive hotels for your trip, this is not your honeymoon where your gonna cozy up all day
in your room. All you need is a room to sleep at night with a clean bathroom and a fresh bed. Maybe you can check the basic facilities like hot water and free wifi. That's all you'll ever need. Trust me.

4)  Packing Light
You don't need to shop prior to your vacation, save that money to shop while your on your vacation. All you need to carry is already there in your cupboard. Carry toiletries in small sized packages/ bottles. Pack a small or light towel.

Carry extra undergarments so you don't spend time washing your clothes. 1-2 dressed-up items in case u decide to go to that expensive place for dinner or a club.

If your visiting a warm city/town all you need is some shorts, t-shirts, jeans and a light sweater just in case. If
its cold, layer up and you'll be warm.

Always carry a pair of good walking shoes, you'll need it while spending hours walking site-seeing.

Don't forget to wear Sunscreen. Even if its cold, your gonna be outdoors in the sun most of the day.

5) Activities / Site-Seeing
Don't waste your time all day lazing around in the hotel room, you have the weekends at home to do that. Go out, each place has so much to offer whether it is a Sky-diving experience, or a chocolate-spa or a Haunted Tour. Go out there experience the city/town your in. Even if its just sitting at a cafe by the roadside and staring at the people passing by. Make the most of your trip and experience the place, the people and their culture.

Research places much before you visit. You don't need to visit all the places that are commonly known. See what is of interest to you by reading up in advance and take your family and go there only.

6) Shopping
Keep it incidental. Don't take time out of your busy site-seeing schedule for shopping cause that's gonna burn a big hole in your pocket. With the same money you could finance your next holiday. Most of the sites you visit, are going to have shops around where you can take time out and shop.

8) Save on food
Always book a Hotel that serves complimentary breakfast. So you can fill up on a heavy meal before you start your day out. Eat a light lunch of a sandwich or something so you don't feel lazy to tour in the afternoon. Plan to have an early dinner so you can get back to the hotel early and get up early for the next day of touring. Unless it's a weekend then stay out late and party up !

9) Sleep /Jet Lag
Simple. Don't waste days getting over your jet lag. From the first day itself. Sleep at night at the local time
and you'll be as fresh as new from the next day itself.

10) Let go, Let loose and enjoy!
It's a holiday. Try new food, talk to strangers, try something scary. Who knows you might love the experience :)

Note: This is for those who realized I skipped point 7 :) Well it was on purpose since this is all the advice you need before you plan your next holiday.