Lifestyle

Tips For A Stress Free Vacation

Experts: Plan But Don't Over Schedule

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Summer vacation time is just around the corner but all too often people come back from their break needing a break.

But there are some things that can be done to make your vacation stress free.

Eric Randolph admits his family loves to take vacations, but sometimes all the planning starts to build stress before they leave the house.

"We create it, a lot of times in planning the budgets, fighting over budgets, choosing destinations, and do we fly or drive," said Randolph.

But it doesn't end there.

"Fighting over restaurants, do we go here do we go there, do we dress up, do we go to the beach today, do we just go to the pool what about this afternoon, do we go to the water park? Do we go to the zoo," said Randolph.

Lots of items can cause stress if you're not prepared for them, according to the pros who know.

"Long lines, bad weather, restaurants that are booked, museums that are closed," said Sarah Kantrowitz of Travel & Leisure magazine.

But there are some things you can do to reduce the stress on your next trip.

"There's a lot you can do when planning a vacation to avoid this stressed out sort of feeling," said Kantrowitz. "One is to plan, but not over schedule. Another is to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the airport."

Another way to take some of the stress out of the planning stage is to get others involved so they know what to expect. Also be sure to organize a trip within your budget so you don't have to spend the entire time worrying about how you'll pay for it when you return home.

Kantrowitz says if your one of those people who 'needs a vacation from a vacation' there's something you should consider.

"That means they didn't take enough time for themselves or really get to that state of relax they were looking for," said Kantrowitz.

She suggests scheduling some 'down time' after you return to give yourself a chance to unpack and unwind.

Another tip – be sure to bring along things to help keep the little ones entertained while waiting or traveling like a portable DVD player, books or magazines.

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