Tips for making memorable vacations
By Nikki Perry, Tourism Director, Braselton Visitors Bureau
Do you remember being assigned group work in high school or college? There was usually one person (maybe you) who went far beyond the requirements of the assignment and made the rest of us look like slackers.
I married that guy.
My husband doesn’t do anything halfway. When our boys were in Cub Scouts, he “helped” them make a Pinewood Derby car that won a national contest and a NASCAR trip. When he was obsessed with building birdhouses, he constructed a bird mansion with a solar lighting system. When he plans a weekend trip, he finds the most obscure spots of interest, like an Indian princess grave or the World’s Largest Amish Chair.
While our kids tend to find this trait tiresome, it is one of the things I love most about my husband. His zeal for living life to its fullest potential has led to many unforgettable travel adventures, which have brought us closer as a couple and a family.
We’ve learned that you don’t have to go far or spend a lot to make amazing memories, but it can be tough to escape our busy lives even for a weekend getaway. Here are some tricks that we have learned over the years.
Relish the journey. Choose a destination that has a good mix of activities and is close to other destinations, then search online for “roadside attractions” to make the ride memorable. I save possible stops in Google Maps on a “Want To Go” list so we can see the possibilities en route. One of our favorite times to travel is during the holiday season, stopping to see the best Christmas lights along the way!
Go local. Talk to the visitor center staff or hotel concierge to get local recommendations. For example, not far from our home is a country-cookin’ restaurant that has a line wrapped around the building every Saturday morning. They don’t need to advertise, because everyone around here knows about Papa Jacks’ massive cinnamon rolls, gravy biscuits, and eggs cooked to order. A tourist wouldn’t know about this local gem unless they asked someone who lives here.
Make it easy on yourself. If you are a connoisseur of last-minute hotel deals, keep a pre-stocked toiletry bag ready to go. If you like to camp, keep all your camping supplies in one place for easy packing. With less hassle up front, you’re more likely to click “book now.”
Save the date. Even if it is only tentative, go ahead and schedule a trip to an event or destination. If you’re passionate about wine, put Chateau Elan’s Vineyard Fest on your calendar now. It will remind you to buy tickets before they sell out! Insider tip: Not all hotel discounts are advertised online. If you are visiting town for a festival or event, call a few hotels in the area and ask if they offer discounts for attendees.
Put your money where your mouth is. Be intentional about funding memory-making experiences that will last a lifetime, whether it is a monthly budget item or that “extra” paycheck twice a year. When the opportunity arises to get out of town, you’ll have the means to take that special trip.
Go now! Don’t wait until all the stars are perfectly aligned, or you may never get away.
