Today, my favorite airplane image (above) represents landing in a remote vacation destination…
Just thinking about an upcoming or off-in-the-distance trip or vacation can create excitement and the feeling of anticipated relaxation. Travel can be a gift we give ourselves or travel may be necessary, as in to see family for a graduation or birthday celebration. No matter what, there are deep benefits to travel and vacations… and costs and intangible value to consider.
In the philosophical sense, travel and vacations provide the opportunity to reflect on what we live for and what we value. Think: sitting by a pool or ocean, being on a cruise, on a tour to a wine vineyard or the trek along a golf course or hiking adventure. This change of scenery can have amazing spiritual and physical benefits. For certain people, the only reason they work and save money is to be able to travel. For others, vacation travel is discretionary and can provide work-life balance.
In the monetary, practical sense travel and vacations are planned months, often years, in advance. Savings are geared toward going to near and faraway places for honeymoon trips, “babymoon” getaways, retirement adventures… and everything in between. There are even trips to memorialize loved ones who have passed away. In most or all of these cases, travel can be a tremendously positive, rejuvenating experience and one that requires and deserves allocation of savings in a planned way.
The difficult part of planning vacation travel – and planning the next vacation – can also be philosophical, as in, where to define a limit – and when to realize that there may never be “enough” cushy, glamorous vacations to satisfy a person. (Point in fact, here is where the “stay-cation” concept may have originated, as relaxing without traveling can offer amazing benefits and rest.)
Of course, luxurious or faraway travel to amazing, unique places such as remote island destinations, African safaris, pilgrimages and voyages to see “wonders of the world” can almost – or actually – change people’s lives. These types of trips are mostly not practical but can involve (generous) time and cost limits. The important part is to realize that even these glamorous trips require a return home (remember, Forrest Gump eventually stopped running and returned home to a mostly happy life).
In reflecting on the “best trips ever” and the planning and resources that were or are required to make these trips happen, it can make sense to take ample time to reflect and carefully choose how often, when and where to go. Keep travel dreams alive and use closer-to-home experiences to satisfy the need for a simple change of scenery.
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, tax, legal or accounting advice.