The Globe Getter

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The Best Vacation Tips from Expert Travelers

Summer may be coming to an end, but it doesn't mean vacation has to be put on hold until June, July and August of next year. In fact, now is a great time to start thinking about how you will make the most of your remaining time off over the next several months. If you don't have any vacation days left, it's okay! You can still go on a great getaway. 

To help you maximize your travels, I gathered vacation tips from several expert travelers. These Globe Getters have collectively ventured to every corner of the world and know how to make the most of any trip. Here's a roundup of their best vacation tips:

Vacation Tips

"Take advantage of new places that aren't too far from you. It's all about having the right attitude when it comes to travel" – Christine Amorose

"Use your vacation time as your last resort. Take advantage of your weekends and holidays first and then tack on your vacation time if you want to extend your time away or take an international trip. I know we like to look at our weekends as only two days but to me that’s TWO WHOLE DAYS and you can do a lot in 48 hours!" – Sanura Williams

"Take trips during long weekends. Try getting a job where you can telecommute or something that requires you to travel for the company." – JoAnna

"Make sure you do your research before going to a new country. Learn the customs, how currency exchange rates work, what you might need to pack, etc." – Rondel Holder

"Find a way to work remotely through self employment or negotiating with an employer. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss points out some great tips for both routes. " – Matt Milloway

"Try not to save your holidays until year-end or wait a few years until you've saved enough holidays for a big trip that might never really happen." – Larissa Leung

"If you can visit multiple countries in a long trip using stopovers, you get more value out of the days you take." – Subira Z. Willock

"Begin with a travel budget for the year and stick to it. If you don't have the means for an international trip, start local in your area." – Roxanne L. Scott

"Make sure you know exactly how many vacation days you get and if they can be combined with sick days, personal days or floating holidays. Then, plan out your travel calendar for the year. I personally find it much more fulfilling to go on several short trips, rather than one two-week trip with my vacation days, but others may feel differently." – Christina Saull 

My best vacation tip: plan just enough to make sure you're able to see the things you want to see, but allow some flexibility in your itinerary. Part of the beauty of travel is the unexpected, so embrace it!

What vacation tips have worked best for you?