Looking forward to relaxing on a warm beach, hitting the slopes on a scenic mountain, or choosing day trips for a stress-free staycation this Spring Break?
Check out our timesaving guide for planning your next vacation or staycation.
Set your budget.
Where can you go and what can you do? It depends on your budget. A travel budget is not an ironclad number; it’s more of an estimate. Think of a figure that you’d be willing to spend on a vacation or a staycation. Then determine if that amount covers the major expenses of your trip: accommodations and travel expenses.
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- Research travel deals and airfare specials.
- Check out the rates of less popular airports near your destination to save money.
- Rent a car instead of flying.
- Check out different lodging options.
Choose your destination.
What’s your vacation style? Maybe you like touring museums and cultural attractions or you prefer lounging by the pool. You might like being active, such as skiing, hiking, or bicycling. The types of vacation that you most enjoy will help determine your destination. Match that to the budget and you’ll be able to choose a great destination.
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- Take advantage of discounts, such as credit card points, AAA, or military.
- Check out additional discounts on Groupon, Kayak, Priceline, booking.com, and other services.
- Book your airfare and/or reserve your rental car.
- Create a draft travel itinerary. Buy tickets for popular activities so you won’t arrive and find them sold out.
Select your accommodations.
You may not be spending a lot of time in your room, but you do want a central location that allows you to do what you want to do. In some cases, like on a staycation, your lodging may be your entire vacation because it provides everything you need.
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- Determine the amenities that are important to you. Do you want a kitchen where you can cook meals? A beachside location? A place that’s walking distance to everywhere you want to be? On-site entertainment? All-inclusive services?
- You can stay in a hotel, a cabin, a treehouse, a resort, a bed-and-breakfast, on a cruise ship, or any of a number of options. Choose the right lodging for your vacation style and your budget.
- Do you have friends or family that you’d like to visit? Consider staying with them and incorporating them into your vacation plans for all or part of spring break. Alternatively, see if they’d like to swap houses with you for the week.
Purchase insurance just in case.
Accidents happen and plans change. That’s where travel and rental insurance come in. Travel insurance can reimburse you if you are unable to go on your trip. Rental car insurance can help in the event of a collision or other damage to your rental car.
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- Before you purchase rental car insurance, make sure your auto policy doesn’t already cover rental cars. Many policies do.
- If you’re renting a car out of the country, double-check that your auto policy covers you. For example, when traveling in Mexico, you will need a special Mexico policy.
- Travel insurance comes in many varieties. You can get trip cancellation, trip interruption, or trip delay insurance. You also can get baggage loss coverage. Talk to your insurance provider about what is available to you.
- You also can get medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage. This is important for trips outside the country. Once again, speak to your insurance provider to make sure you qualify for the coverage.
Be COVID safe.
For the foreseeable future, you will want to take precautions to guard against COVID-19. After all, it’s no fun to be sick on vacation; neither is it a good idea to bring a virus back to your students. When traveling, follow these guidelines.
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- Some destinations require COVID tests. Know the rules and regulations so that you can schedule your test before your trip or at the airport.
- Wear your mask at the airport and on the plane.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid crowds where possible, and stay 6 feet away from others.
Plan a staycation.
A staycation can be as much fun as a vacation with the advantage of being a lot more affordable. While you can certainly use the time for projects around the house, you can enjoy a real break by planning day trips and fun activities.
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- You don’t technically have to stay home during a staycation. Consider one or two nights at a local hotel or other fun lodging.
- Choose a theme for your staycation, such as gourmet traveler, spa serenity, or tourist in your own town. Use it to inspire your activities.
- Enjoy fun takeout or restaurant meals that make the week feel special.
- Disconnect from social media and the news. Enjoy movie nights, game nights, and other interactive fun.
- Don’t forget that Educators & ESPs can win a $10,000 Staycation Giveaway from California Casualty!
What are your plans this Spring Break? Share it with your colleagues in the comments.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com
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