Brainstorming trip ideas is fun because you get to dream!  Where will you go?  What will you do?  How will you get there?  What do you want to get out of the trip?  Now that you have set aside time from your busy schedule to take time off, let’s spend some time brainstorming ideas and getting some clarity about what type of vacation you will be planning. Tip #1: Take Some Time To Visualize Take a few minutes to dream!  Close your eyes, and imagine yourself taking your dream vacation.   What are you doing in your dream? Are you sipping fruit smoothies while soaking up the sun on the beach? How about strolling down the streets of an historic town? Are you in an underwater cage hoping to have an encounter with a Great White shark (like Jason)? What about hiking to the summit of a mountain, taking in the views…

Selecting a vacation destination can be one of the most difficult aspects of vacation planning.  There are countless places to visit, each with its own attractions.  Do you want a dose of history? Adventure? Culture?  Choosing the right place to spend your hard-earned money and limited time to give you what you want can be a challenge. Going to the Same Place Time and Time Again I know many people that take an annual family vacation to a certain destination each year.  They will stay in a favorite lodging situation, eat at the same restaurants, and do the same thing that they have done year after year. Recently, I was talking with one of my friends that falls into this camp. He and his family visit Hilton Head Island in South Carolina each year – sometimes twice within the same year – and they have been doing it for over…

We love road trips. When thinking about the various types of road trips that we have taken to National Parks, certain itineraries take on distinct shapes. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages. I thought that I’d share four types of road trip shapes to see what you think. But first, a quick definition – Trip Anchor: To me, a trip anchor is the primary point of interest (or points of interest) that is the reason for your trip. You might stop at points along the way, but you will typically allocate more of your trip time to explore your anchor destination. You will often set up your base of operation (a.k.a. sleep, eat, etc.) in an anchor destination as well. Types of Road Trips by Shape Line This is an out and back trip. Typically, the point of the trip is to go from your home (the starting place)…