How To Plan Your Perfect Summer Vacation & Make a Travel Journal

February 17, 2023

~ Often we forget about all the small moments we experience in the summer!

M. NELLA

Hello everyone! So good to see you here. Welcome back on my blog <3

The last few days were really sunny in the Netherlands. It gave me the spring vibes.

You know, those bike rides through the countryside and walking past cows in the sun. Maybe that’s just me though 🙂

Besides wanting to visit nature, the sun also gave me fresh energy.

Energy to enjoy life and all its small presents!

And let’s be honest, what time of the year is the best? If you ask me, it’s the vacation time. It doesn’t matter if you go to the other side of the world or to the local beach. You can catch the summer feelings anywhere.

Why plan your vacation, though?

In this blog post I will be explaining to you how you can plan the perfect vacation ever. Reading a good book in your backyard is really nice of course…

But…

Exploring new roads in the sun give me the ultimate summer feeling.

This is also when I get most new ideas. So… It’s also really productive to have a super amazing summer vacation.

Therefore, you need to take things seriously, like a boss babe. And you know what boss babes do? They plan things and take things step by step.

Sometimes, I am stubborn and say to myself: “I don’t need to plan this. I will be fine.”

Well, nope! That’s not the way to go. Again and again I show myself that this doesn’t work for me.

Are you like me?

If so, keep reading this super important blog post that’s going to make this summer your best summer yet!

What Is Your Vacation Goal

Also wanted to quickly mention this 🙂 It’s important to keep in mind what makes you happy.

Are you a lover of a relaxed summer or an adventurous summer? I am a lover of a relaxed summer in nature.

But heyy!

Nature can be really adventurous.

Visiting nature without a plan and walking in the nature parks is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. But of course eating some good food is also really nice.

Know thyself!

1. Where do you wanna go?

Okay, now that we are all on the same page (or website, LOL), we can really start planning your vacation.

In this blog post I will try to focus on the overall summer season, but also the ‘big’ vacation (camping, visiting another country). Just so you know 🙂

The first step is to figure out where you want to go. I love lists so we will be doing this a lot in this blog post.

If you want to visit another country, you can make a list of all the places you like. Also make a list of all your musts. In my case, water is a must and it must be in Europe.

But, your summer is not only the ‘big’ vacation. You don’t need to go far away to have fun.

Often we forget about all the small moments we experience in the summer.

To visit a lake or have a barbeque.

Make a list of all the things you want to do this summer. I love doing new things in the sun, those are the memories that you will remember a lifetime.

2. Your Budget

When creating your summer bucket list, you have to keep your budget in mind. If you have a big budget, that’s very nice and easy of course.

However, the best memories are created in moments.

You won’t remember the expensive restaurant you went to. You will remember the late summer walks when the sun is going down. At least, that’s what I remember!

A lot of fun things are free. Let’s take nature for example, most of the time it’s free and fun! You only need transport and food and you are good to go.

3. Travel Journal

I have been making travel journals since I was 8, which was 10 years ago!

When I was young they were created on the laptop and nothing special. The last few years I have switched to analog, paper. I now write my plans and experiences in a travel notebook.

I think doing this in a google document or microsoft word is the most practical for now. Since, it’s easier to add or change something.

Now open your document! You can add the lists created by the steps before to this document.

You can add any information you want to this document. You can add where you are located on holiday and where events take place in the area you are visiting.

In the summer, there is always a festival somewhere. Add this too!

4. Research Your Area

We also want to catch the summer feelings at home, therefore it’s good to do some research in your area.

There are probably a lot of hidden gems you have never heard of. Just going on your bike for a ride is already really nice, especially if you live close to the countryside or nature.

Note down everything you can find! To keep everything organized you can do this in tables and categorize it into nature, festivals and so on.

If you don’t know where to start searching for things to do. Here are two tips:

First you can use google keywords like “things to do/see city”, “agenda city” and “must do city”. If you want to know someone’s personal experience, you can visit blog posts.

5. Plan Every Day

Now we will be focusing more on planning what I call the ‘big’ vacation. However, you can do this for every day of the summer of course…

But I don’t think this will leave enough space for me to be spontaneous and adventurous.

I do like to plan every day of the ‘big’ vacation. I want to get the most out of my time in another area or country.

Since you have already decided what you want to do on your ‘big’ vacation. Now it’s time to plan and book everything. For most touristy destinations you need to book in advance. Doing this is very important.

So I recently found this website that can help you save money during your trips/vacation by planning in advance. It will inform you when the price drops and limited-time bargains.

It’s called WayAway!

You can check it out for the cheapest flights and you can even book your hotel stays. There are tons of other tools you can use that will show you exactly which places you should visit and other hidden gems.

So definitely check WayAway out! Especially if you plan on travelling in the US!

Plan every day of the vacation how you like it. I like to do things relaxed so I try to leave enough space for beach time and a night walk.

As I already said before, it’s important to know yourself.

Know what makes you feel alive!

Make the best memories ever!

6. Make Your Travel Journal

I think making a travel journal is really nice. And it’s a great way to keep remembering your memories.

There are tons of ways you can make a travel journal. Just use your creativity and make your own unique journal.

In this blog post I talk about all the reasons you should start a travel journal. Check it out if you wish to make a travel journal!

7. Add A Map

Something I always add to my travel journal is a map of the environment. This way you can put numbers on the map and then write down what is at the numbers.

When I am on vacation I don’t want to constantly be on my phone. I want to enjoy nature. And therefore, I try to minimize my phone/screen use.

By including a map in your travel journal you don’t need to open your phone.

It also looks very aesthetic!

7. Make a Playlist

So here we are already by the last tip!

This last tip is very important for me.

I love music, especially in summer. I like to listen to music that brings out the summer vibes. Something electric and euphoric, hardstyle or something 😎 (I am a Dutchie)

When I listen to a certain song a lot in the summer, years later this song reminds me of those good old times. I like how certain songs can bring out the mood.

Who doesn’t love the summer mood? I do!

Let’s create a summer playlist full of your favorite songs!

And bring those summer vibes!

It’s time for SUMMER!!!

Hi, Love!

Let me know (in the comments) if you are excited for summer!? <3 I love reading comment from you guys!

Let today or tonight be an enlightening time and may you connect with nature. Take a deep breath and get in touch with your energy. Just be in this moment!

You can leave your name and email below, if you want to stay in contact with me. And if not, I hope you will have an amazing life full of love and joy!

May our souls meet again!

-xx- Nella