If you are here you are probably considering a quick getaway. And since the title is “mini” you probably don’t have a lot of spare time or cash to do it so I’m here to help! Many times I have found myself needing a getaway so bad that we spontaneously book a room, pack a bag, go on vacation and get back within a week! I’m not joking! I’m the queen of mini vacations because we don’t have tons of extra money for them, and hubby can’t take off work but with depression sometimes its literally the only thing that snaps me out of a spiral decline.
You’ll need to plan ahead. I know I said we conquered in a week but that’s a lot of trial and error and believe me with a little planning your time will be much more enjoyable.
So first thing, go somewhere you know. Don’t try to take off across the country or even to a big place like Disney because you’re going to get overwhelmed trying to cram everything in. We often go to the closest beach(which is still 5 hours away), Pigeon Forge, TN (3 hours) or if we have at least 4 days we will go to a place in Florida(9 hours) that we have been before and don’t have to spend the first 2 days figuring it out. Sounds crazy but you’d be surprised at what one day at the beach can do for your mental health which rolls over to physical!
2. keep a list of your favorites! Its ok if you haven’t up to now, its not a deal breaker but it does help! “Tried and true” places to stay, eat, do etc. this makes your time well spent because you KNOW you are going to enjoy it! Leave the “trying new places” to longer trips. It’s tempting but trust me…stick with what you know on the minis! It makes it quick to book hotels because they can often just pull up prior reservations and usually give a discount for being a returning guest! win-win!!
3. Season Passes! If you have a place close by that you can mini-vacation to and a place with season passes get them! We did this at Dollywood. We purchased the passes before the previous year was up so it allowed interest free payment plans and now we can take an overnight trip and have the days already planned. All we have to pay for is food, gas and hotel.
4. Probably my best tip for you is to keep the trip necessities together year round! Get a tote like this one so you can easily see the contents and put your essentials for each ”type” of trip. We usually get a place with a pool and we always seek the sun so my bag stays packed with sunscreen, kids’ goggles, pool dive toys, a waterproof pouch (for phone, room key and any change or money (because there is an arcade that traps us every time)), a mini first aide kit, beach hats, and their small ring floats. These first aide kits are in a bundle where you can get one for each travel bag and they are super handy AND cheap! (Mom tip-glovebox in the car is a good place for one too!) Anyways, back to the list, I also have one for “anywhere travel”. That one has things like nail clippers, extra phone charger, battery pack, Tylenol, ibuprofen, q-tips, kid Motrin, hair bows, lotion, a small bottle of shampoo/conditioner/body wash(I keep leftover hotel samples here) etc. things we always get there and need but use to forget! Also, its mostly things that we have at the house but makes it so easy to grab and go!
my beach essentials bag includes shell bags this set incLudes both shell bags and larger ones which I use for taking sand toys because the sand mostly shakes out and stays behind lol these shell dippers are super nifty!
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5. Last but most certainly not least…GO! Take a big breath and tale the plunge! Out of all the trips we’ve taken both long and short, I’ve never looked back and regretted one single one! If anything, I see times we should’ve took advantage of and went MORE! The strength you gain whole away and the memories made with the family are absolutely priceless! So if you are contemplating whether a short time away will be worth it….I’m here to tell you…YES! It Is!!!! Go, relax, have fun and focus all of your energy and time into making wonderful memories!
Rae’s Daze 