How to Plan the Best Micro Trip
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There has been a recent trend in the travel industry around micro trips. Micro trips are essentially weekend getaways, lasting roughly two or three days. Read further to learn more about how to plan a micro trip.
Sometimes it does not seem feasible to getaway for an entire week, but taking a short weekend trip can fit into anyone’s schedule. Traveling on micro trips allows you to visit more of the places on your bucket list!
It may seem difficult to narrow down itinerary activities into only two or three days, but by following the below tips, you can have a micro vacation of a lifetime. Micro travel allows you to see the world without missing a day of work and actually save money. Cheap mini-vacation instead of Netflix or doing chores. What can be better?
Let’s talk about the benefits of quick getaways, how to plan a micro trip, things to know before traveling on your first short trip, and options of where to go!
How to Plan the Best Micro Trip
There are many benefits of taking short weekend trips. See some of the biggest pros below:
1. You Will Save Money
By planning a micro trip, you will be able to save a large amount of money that would be spent on additional days of lodging and accommodations. In addition, you will save the money that you would have spent on additional days of dining and experiences.
If you bundle your flight, car, or hotel, you can save a large sum of money. Save on the vacation packages here.
In addition to traveling for fewer nights, many hotels drop the rates as the date approaches. If you are willing to delay booking your hotel room, you may be able to strike a deal that allows you to stay at some of the best hotels without an expensive price tag.
2. You Don’t Have to Use any Vacation Days
Micro travel can easily take place over a weekend. During the seasons, you have very few paid vacation days. Consider taking a micro trip so you can still enjoy a getaway while still being able to be in the office on Monday morning.
3. Something is Better Than Nothing
It is better to have an amazing experience for two days rather than zero! When time and resources are tight, it could be good for your mental health to spend a couple of days in a new setting.
4. It May be Easier to Recruit a Travel Companion
When traveling for a short period of time, it is easier to find someone who may be free to travel with you! Weekend travel allows more flexibility for people to adjust their schedules and come alongside you as a companion!
5. Micro Trips are Easy to Plan
With the shortened length of a micro trip, you only have to coordinate logistics for a couple of days rather than an entire week.
Things to Know When Planning a Mini Vacation
1. Plan Your Transportation First
If you have to fly to your destination of choice, try booking a flight late on a Friday evening so that you may wake up and have a full day in the city on Saturday. If you are flying a further distance away, try taking a red-eye flight. Not only will this save you money in a hotel, but it will also allow you to maximize your time in the city! Start tracking flights for your next mini-trip.
2. Visit a Destination That is West of Your Starting Point
If you travel abroad on long flights, this can be more comfortable for you. Traveling West allows you to maximize your time at your destination and avoid the worse jetlag. Take your vacation easy and less stressful.
3. Plan to Travel to a Destination That is Easily Accessible
On a micro trip, it is difficult to travel to a location that requires layovers, additional hours spent driving, or any other time-consuming logistics. Choose to spend your weekend getaway at a destination that you can drive to or that you can fly into directly. This will allow you to maximize your time in the city so that you can have even more time to explore.
4. Consider Using a Travel Agent
If it seems overwhelming to fit many activities into a short trip, let someone else do it for you! Consider learning more about travel agents as they focus on planning travel itineraries for you.
5. Be Prepared to Stay Busy
When taking a vacation that will only last for two or three days, you will most likely have a jam-packed schedule. If you are willing to sacrifice a few hours of sleep, you can fit a wide variety of activities into just a few days. Make sure to consider your itinerary ahead of time to make sure that you are making the best use of each hour you have at your destination!
6. Don’t Overdo It
When planning a micro getaway, be realistic. What are you looking to accomplish? What is your budget? Consider traveling somewhere that will allow you to experience something new without too many complications or logistics. What towns are cities are neighboring you? Don’t rule out spending the weekend in the town next door to you. Sometimes it takes a planned “staycation” to recognize all the hidden treasures in your own backyard.
Check Out Some of the Mini Vacation Ideas
When planning a micro trip, it is important to visit somewhere that is located next to a major airport so that you don’t have to spend too much time traveling.
In addition, cities with major airports usually have more flexibility for flight times that would maximize your weekend travel. Many incredible destinations have major airports and are perfect for a weekend getaway. Consider visiting some of the destinations below for a short weekend trip.
If you live in Europe, that makes sense to visit the nearest cities as most of the European cities are easily accessible by train or car within a couple of hours and can be the best for day trips or 2-3 day trips.
1. Paris, France
Simply visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Sainte Chapelle will make your trip to Paris worth it! Paris, France, is an incredibly charming city with much to offer. With so many options for public transportation, you can easily travel from the airport to your attraction of choice.
Paris is full of many amazing attractions, and you can fit many of them into a short trip if you are willing to spend some time on your feet! Two days in Paris will allow you to see amazing architecture, dine at artisan cafes, and drink incredible wine. Check out this 3 days Paris itinerary for more ideas on how to spend your weekend in France.
2. London, England
London, England, is a bustling city with a culture that is rich in cuisine, architecture, and art. When planning your London getaway, be sure to make arrangements to see the London Eye, go shopping on Oxford Street, and visit one of the amazing Royal Parks.
Submerge yourself into the character of the city by making plans to see Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace. London has so much to offer and is an amazing opportunity to explore the city. Learn more about the must-see attractions on the London trip.
3. Rome, Italy
If you are prepared to log a few miles in your walking shoes, you can explore the majority of the amazing city of Rome in just two days! When visiting Rome, make sure your itinerary includes a trip to see the Colosseum and the Vatican.
Delight your taste buds by enjoying the variety of amazing wines, pasta, and ice-cream parlors that are located throughout the city. For a more detailed guide to a weekend in Rome, check out Rome in a weekend article.
For those who live in the USA, there are a bunch of options for weekend getaways. Check some getaway ideas in the USA here.
4. San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California, is a diverse and vibrant city that will excite any weekend traveler. Whether you spend your time strolling by the bay or exploring all the shops in Union Square, you can fall in love with San Francisco in just a few short days.
Your days can be filled with walking or biking across the Golden Gate Bridge, visiting a local beach, or grabbing a bite to eat in the mission district.
If you are able to travel to San Francisco during baseball season, try to catch a Giants game at AT&T Stadium. San Francisco is an ideal destination for foodies, athletes, and romantics. Check out my article 3 days San Francisco itinerary to learn more.
4. New York, New York
New York is a dazzling city with endless opportunities at your fingertips. New York is a metropolis of food, fashion, and art! On your short trip to New York, consider finding time to see at least one Broadway show, indulge in the famous New York-style pizza, experience the Chelsea Market, and see the Statue of Liberty.
New York is a melting pot of many cultures, characters, and experiences. See the top things to do in NY in 48-hours.
5. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is a southeastern city that is filled with entertainment, adventure, and shopping. Atlanta is located in the heart of Georgia and has many nearby parks that are perfect for hiking, biking, and canoeing. The Atlanta area is composed of multiple different hubs, including Downtown, Buckhead, and Midtown.
Buckhead is known for its upscale shopping and dining. Downtown is known for Centennial Park and large sporting events. Midtown is known for its trendy culture, breweries, Piedmont Park, and many other things. See this list for suggestions as you plan a weekend trip to Atlanta.
7. Miami, Florida
If you are looking for a relaxing coastal getaway, look no further than Miami. In Miami, you can enjoy the pristine beaches during the day and the vibrant nightlife at night. Miami is a melting pot of different cultures and celebrates diversity of all types.
This exciting city always offers a variety of entertainment options, including shows, concerts, and sporting events. Check out Miami trip ideas to see all the different experiences you could have on a weekend trip to Miami.
8. Portland, Oregon
Portland is a beautiful city that is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. When visiting Portland, you can spend your days wandering through bookstores or hiking along beautiful trails that are located outside the city. Portland has a hipster vibe and is known for its amazing food, easily accessible trails, and exciting nightlife.
Outside the city, there is a marvelous Japanese Rose Garden nestled right that you will not want to miss! Check out our recommended Portland itinerary here.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a short getaway, start planning your micro trip! Micro travel makes it easy to cross destinations off your bucket list.
Not only are you saving money and reducing the amount of time you have to take off work, but there is also less planning and coordinating required to take a micro trip.
If you are looking for more information about the micro travel trend, check out this article. Whether you are traveling to a destination near or far, pack your backpack and let the fun begin!
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