Planning a short vacation can be difficult. If you only have a few days to dedicate to your trip, it can start to seem like you can’t possibly relax and dive into the unique aspects your destination has to offer. Fortunately, even a brief trip to Hawaii is sure to be one you’ll never forget. Here are a few ways you can make the most of a short trip to Hawaii:
Stay within a small region
It’s a simple concept, but one many travelers don’t consider: If your vacation has to be short, spend it in one general area. Three days is hardly enough time to explore an entire state, but a single city or region is a lot more doable. Figure out what kind of activities you want to do, and pick a Hawaii vacation home that’s located approximately in the middle of all of them. This way, you can use your vacation rental as your home base, and optimize travel time from location to location.
Don’t over schedule
One of the biggest mistakes you can make with a short vacation is trying to pack too much in. If you over schedule yourself, you’ll likely end up leaving the trip at least as stressed out as you were when you arrived. There are too many things outside of your control that can ruin a packed schedule and put your whole vacation on end. If you leave your schedule mostly open and plan a few high-priority activities, however, you’ll have time to relax and pay your full attention to the things you have time to do.
Unplug completely
If you’re going on a week-long trip, sure, bring along your laptop. A short vacation? Leave the gadgets at home.
Who wants to waste time online when you can be lying out on the beach? If you’re on a short trip, the only thing hopping onto the Internet is going to do is potentially stress you out. Let your friends and family know they can call you in an emergency, but otherwise, you’ll be off the grid on your vacation: Everything will still be there for you when you come back.
Quick time-saving tips:
Though any one of these items may only save you a few minutes, it all adds up:
- Don’t check a bag. If you’re only going to be away a few days, a carry-on should be more than enough to hold your clothes and other necessities.
- Book flights with as few connections and layovers as possible.
- When you get dressed in the morning, assume you’ll wear the same clothes all day. If you’re hitting the beach, bring a change of clothes along so you don’t have to head back to the room between activities.
- Eat on the go. If there’s a restaurant you’re excited to try, feel free to spend a few hours dining. Otherwise, grab your food and get back to vacationing.
- Book tickets in advance whenever possible to avoid spending precious trip time in lines.
- Visit less popular tourist destinations. Not only will you have to deal with fewer crowds in these places, but you may also discover a hidden gem!