A vacation in an
investment of time and money. Below are some investments you can
make to help take your vacation to the next level:
Your Transportation
· Fly
nonstop even if it means driving to a different airport. We frequently drive to
Orlando to take a nonstop. The 90 minute drive is usually less than a layover.
· Upgrade
your seats on the plane. Many airlines now offer extended legroom seats for
purchase. On Southwest, you can usually upgrade your boarding position by
paying an extra fee at the gate. I used to view the flight as an annoyance.
Now, I view it as the beginning of the vacation so I try to make it as
comfortable as possible.
· Upgrade
to a private nonstop transfer to your resort. This is important for all-inclusive
vacations. A regular transfer could have
multiple stops or you may have to wait until it fills up to leave. After
spending 45 minutes waiting in a van, I decided I would always upgrade to the
private transfer.
Your
Resort
· Ask:
What upgrades are available? at check in. I believe it never hurts to ask, but
it does hurt to expect. Don’t act entitled – Act inquisitive.
· Pay
close attention to what activities are included. Some resorts have amazing
options included in the room rate.
· Check
out the amenities in the included fitness center or gym. Sometimes you can find
a great jacuzzi or steam room.
· Pay
for a Day Pass to the Spa. We’ve found that many resorts have reasonable day
pass prices to access the hydrotherapy areas of the Spa. You have to apply your
own cucumbers, but I leave feeling totally relaxed for a fraction of the price.
Your
Excursions
· Some
key phrases to look for when booking an excursions are “VIP, Skip the ine, or
Private”. These signify special experiences. When we visited the Maya ruins
Tulum and Coba in Riviera Maya, Mexico, we paid extra to have a private driver and
tour guide because we didn’t want to be on a tour with 30 other people for 10
hours. We got the added benefit of visiting Tulum and Coba before the tour
buses arrived and had both places practically to ourselves. Plus, we had a
great lunch in Playa del Carmen and were back to the resort by 4:00 pm.
What
tricks have you used to improve your resort vacation?