Howdy, its been a while since I sent out the mail - in fact, I did miss one last month. It has been a crazy month for me, traveling non-stop on a personal front as well as project that took me back to the gorgeous city of Jaipur. Before I know it, it's almost the end of 2025.
I am sure that you already have your X’mas and New Year holidays planned - for if you haven’t - you have gotten too late, my friend!!! Air fares and accommodation prices would be on an all-time high. Likely many places would be sold out too. But never mind! We have 2026 to plan better.
Which brings me to the topic for this newsletter!
Now is the time to plan your travel in 2026
In fact, that is what I did religiously every year, when I was stuck with my corporate job. Trust me, it helped me travel well - despite the crazy hectic job where though I had leaves, they weren’t always approved. It also, helped me budget better and take advantage of early bookings for some good travel savings. So here is my secret!
School calendar, Home calendar, Office calendar - pull them all out
Chalk out the long weekends and the possible long ones that you can do by taking a day or so of leave. I also, tallied this with my Dottie’s school calendar and my hubby’s corporate calendar. In most cases, this gave me two long vacations ranging a week or more and many short breaks (at least 5- 6 short breaks through the year).
Backyard visits on short breaks and the world when you have the time!
You would be surprised to discover that your backyard itself has so many gems. One long weekend we discovered Kannur while another one led us to Chettinad and Gandikota from Bangalore. I can list so many more of these amazing destinations that I uncovered during the myriad long weekends I used.
The short breaks were perfect to rejuvenate and bond with family and friends. There are so many memories that I have gathered - thanks to them. Short breaks honestly, did not require too much planning. With the car around, all I had to do was identify a good place to stay and just plan the two or three days in that town or city. The road trips were not too heavy on the pocket - with the main expense being the stay and fuel.
I recommend keeping the faraway destinations (especially the ones requiring some air travel) for your big holidays. Keep a larger budget for this and start planning in advance. If you planning a visit overseas, account for travel documentation, visa and other formalities.
I have covered planning for these in my earlier series on
"How to plan a trip?". In case you have just joined my mailing list and are missing these, just hit reply to this mail and request for them. I will be happy to send those to you.
So get set, ready and start planning your 2026. Hit reply when you are done and let me know how many vacations are you set up for in 2026.
And - in advance - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Until next time
XOXO
Travel Inspiration for this month
Sun, Sand, culture, heritage, adventure - Sri Lanka has it all. I have explored most of them - from Jaffna in the north with a culture quite unlike the rest of the country, to central and west Sri Lanka with its UNESCO sites and rolling green mountains and the South with its eclectic beaches and unique activities like Whale watching. Check it all out!
