Raise Your Hand if You’d Like a Vacation

👟🛫🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ Get in line, right? Well, hang tight - from world travel to not leaving your living room, I’ve got some ideas for you.

Random pictures taken over the years… not intentional, but all photo shots from Spain. (Shocker, right?)

Happy January 25.

Is January 25 typically happy?

Photo by Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash

I guess, in theory, if everything is going well in your life and you’re in your stride, it’s quite possible to be happy on January 25. But, if you’re in a climate similar to mine (hint, I’m a 🧀head), you may be getting sick of the cold, snow, ice, wind, wind chill, frozen fingers/toes, dirty cars etc., etc.

All of these conditions put a slight damper on even the happiest of campers.

Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash

That’s why the notion of a vacation, getaway, or a freaking break probably sounds appealing right now. And because I’ll actually be in a sunny place on the day you get this newsletter, I thought it would only be fair to show you some vacation love. Because getaways (no matter how long or short) are What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week.

While sometimes our work or life circumstances don’t allow for us to formally take a vacation,

We NEED TO TAKE VACATIONS.

But vacations don’t have to look like a week at an all-inclusive in Playa del Carmen, or a week aboard the SS Getmeouttahere.

Vacations can be anything we want them to be… they only require one critical element:

We unplug from the stresses and routines of every day life

and give ourselves a minute to breathe, reflect, and recharge.

Photo by Matthew Smith on Unsplash

This week, I’m giving you ideas on how you can escape - maybe physically, but definitely mentally - and take some time to chill a bit.

So, grab your bags… it’s time to board.

See you at baggage claim,

Abbey

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Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

choosing your getaway

• Here’s a concept to look up and consider… SLOW TRAVEL and it could be the ticket to taking a vacation whether you hop on a plane or never leave your neighborhood.

• Okay, so you want to get away but don’t have a lot of vacation time. No worries, here are the 10 Best Weekend Getaways and here are even more getaways. If you’re specifically looking for urban beauty, check out the 10 most beautiful cities in the world in 2023. (I’m sure they’re still beautiful in 2024.)

• If cities aren’t your jam, and you just want to experience something incredible, here are the 15 most beautiful places that actually exist.

Photo by Zhiyuan Sun on Unsplash

vacation in place

• Can’t go anywhere? Take a staycation and spend a day at the spa (cheaper than a week at the beach), do a movie marathon, or finally tackle the fun home projects you’ve wanted to start…you get the idea. Travel & Leisure shares more staycation ideas for 2024.

• If you’re stuck at work for the rest of winter, never fear; you can still get that vacation feeling every single day. The Before Breakfast podcast shares how that’s even possible. (It’s a genius idea, actually.)

• To get the feeling of being in a great hotel, try to recreate the vibe in your own home. The Hotel Collection or the Marriott Collection can help you create an oasis that makes every day feel like the Four Seasons.

• And if we’re talking Staycation, don’t forget about self-care. YouTuber Caroline Winkler (not sure if she’s related to the Fonz) has 5 Self Care Tips that Actually Work.

Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash

general travel tips

• Calling fellow iPhone users… check out these iPhone travel hacks whether you’re traveling next week or next year.

• Wherever you’re headed, check out 10 mistakes to avoid in Europe and how to outsmart pickpockets.

• But don’t leave home without reading the 2024 travel updates you need to know now.

• Isn’t it always the hardest thing to know what to wear and take on a long-haul flight? A registered nurse shares the items you need to be comfortable and safe. Also, remember to be careful with drinks on a long flight because you don’t want this to happen:

Finally, if you can’t get away now but really want to in the future… start planning a trip for next year. Get creative, too. I just talked to a golfer from Texas who said his wife started taking annual cruises with her sisters 20 years ago. Today, his daughter is old enough to join them, and now her friends cruise too. The man’s wife (and fellow travelers) look forward to this every year.

You could start something similar that works for your life situation and budget. Start thinking about what that trip would look like, then put measures in place (take off vacation time, get your friends/siblings on board, etc.) to make sure you follow through.

Because you deserve it.

Here’s to some downtime.

And warmer weather.

Abbey

Photo by Recal Media on Unsplash