Ok so here’s the truth.. vacations are suppose to be relaxing but lol half the time planning them is MORE stressfull than office work. You’re booking flights, checking hotels, packing, worrying if you forgot socks or charger… by the time you reach airport you already need another vacation. Been there done that.

But honestly it don’t have to be like this. With lil bit of planning (not over planning cuz that makes it boring) you can actually have a chill trip where you don’t lose your mind.

Don’t overthink where to go

Biggest mistake people do is wasting weeks fighting over destination. Like one wants mountains, other wants beach, someone wants shopping. If you keep arguing you’ll end up going nowhere. Just pick a place that fits budget + time and GO. No place is “perfect”. Also pls don’t try to cover 7 cities in 5 days… you’ll come home more tired than before.

Book early (but not tooo early)

Flights are usually cheaper if you book in advance but not like one year early. My sweet spot is 2–3 months before. Hotels same thing, book before last minute cuz last minute = expensive and sometimes only shady hotels left. Also check visa stuff first, nothing worse than booking flight and then realizing visa takes 3 weeks.

Hotels, Airbnb, whatever – keep it simple

Don’t spend 10 hours comparing every hotel review, trust me it’s stress. Decide your budget and just choose clean + safe. If you’re barely staying in room, why spend all money there? Book it and forget.

Pack light (yes I’m yelling here)

Overpacking = nightmare. Don’t take 6 jeans for 4 days. Don’t take 3 pairs of heels unless you are fashion blogger. Airlines will rob you with luggage fee anyway. Backpack + small suitcase is enough. Mix match outfits, no one cares if you wear same tshirt twice.

Plan main things, leave space for random fun

Don’t make a schedule like school timetable (8am breakfast, 9am taxi, 9.30 museum). That’s not vacation that’s office trip. Just book flights, stay, and maybe 1–2 big things per day. Leave other time for spontanious stuff—like street food stall you see, or a random beach you find.

Money stress

Yeah set budget but don’t count every single coin. You’ll spoil the fun if you’re stressing over 20 cents difference. Just know approx for food, stay, shopping, and keep little extra. Also maybe carry travel card instead of full cash.

Travel insurance (boring but needed)

I knw boring, but one accident abroad can burn hole in pocket. Lost luggage or medical bill is stress you don’t want. Spend that extra small amount for peace of mind.

Don’t try to please everyone

If you go with family/friends, not everyone will want same thing. Some want to wake at 6am, some wanna sleep till 11. Let them. Split for few hours, meet later. Less fights = more peace.

Stuff will go wrong

No matter how much you plan, something will mess up. Flight delay, rain when you wanted sunshine, wrong bus, whatever. Instead of crying, just laugh and go with flow. Honestly those “wrong” moments become the funniest stories later.

Quick things I always do

• keep passport, tickets, booking printout in one pouch

• download offline maps (wifi not everywhere)

• pack light (yes repeating cuz people still don’t listen)

• plan only half the day, rest free

• don’t compare trip to Instagram influencers (they show only highlights)

End of the day

Vacations shouldn’t feel like project work. Plan enough to avoid big mistakes, but don’t micromanage. Go with chill mindset, accept some chaos, and remember… it doesn’t need to be perfect to be amazing. Sometimes the best memory is eating $1 street food with strangers, or missing a bus but finding a hidden café.

So yeah, if you wanna plan a stress free vacation in 2025 or whenever, keep it simple. Choose, book, pack light, relax. That’s it. ✈️