These are the difficult times when we’re still saving up for the next getaway, or maybe it’s just that the timing won’t allow for holiday at the moment so we have to be patient and wait. The agony!

Source
Maybe you just got back from a nice escape and you’re trying to grapple with a range of trying and testing withdrawal symptoms – like constantly staring off into the distance and finding yourself back on that beach watching the sun glistening on the waves –Β “sorry I just drifted off there for a moment ”Β you’ll find yourself saying.
Or perhaps it’s the tragedy of having to slip back into jumpers and winter coats while you look longingly at your bright, light and breezy attire. The sun hat and flip flops are now sadly redundant as you shelve them away until that ‘happy day’ when you’ll flip open that suitcase once again ready for another escape. Roll on sweet day, roll on.
Many of us have been here haven’t we? We know the pain.
There are a few things we can do to help us with this anxiety, things that will keep us going until we get our next eagerly awaited chance to jet off:
Research
Decide where you want to go next (whether it’s this year, next year or in three years time) and make it your mission to research your destination inside out. Buy books on it, watch youtube videos on it, read blogs on it, weave your way through lengthy Google searches on it and become a ‘little know it all’ about your target destination.
As well as countless travel sites (likeΒ Rough Guides), get yourself signed up to, and make good use of online travel forums like Lonely Planet, Fodors, Facebook, and other similar groups.
The information you gather will make you feel connected to the place and the experiences you are looking forward to having.
The videos you watch will quite literally take you there and feast your eyes through other people’s experiences. Learn from the experiences of others too – ask questions and gather feedback to help mould your own plan.
Travel magazines might also add a sprinkle of inspiration, along with a few travel themed DVDs (and books) – have a browse on Amazon.
Make a list of questions you think you might want to ask locals or guides when you get to your chosen destination – this will also make for some useful blogging material later on.
Construct a plan
Begin to put together your own personalised itinerary for this fabulous holiday of yours! Map out how you might want to organise your time on this trip – the order you’d like to do things in, sights you want to see etc….you might find you need to add a few more days, or maybe you’ll run out of things to do sooner than you thought you would:
- Day one – that waterfall and zip lining
- Day two – such and such beach/snorkelling and swimming with sharks (if you must)
- Day three – jeep safari tour – dinner at that highly recommended local restaurant
- Day four – that hike, up that mountain you were reading about
- Day five – people watching and cafe/bar hopping in the local town – with a bit of shopping (mustn’t forget the fridge magnet)
Et cetera, et cetera…
Find out about tour guides and organised excursions, car/ bike hire, whatever suits your plan – find out who other traveller recommend the most.
Of course, there’s a really good chance you won’t stick to any of this perfectly planned itinerary, and end up doing all sorts of completely different spontaneous and unplanned things….which is absolutely fine! At least you’ll have ‘something you prepared earlier’ should the need (boredom) arise.
Become a hotel inspector
Since you have all this time to pass before you can even grasp at your suitcase, you might as well start researching accommodation options, with a fine tooth comb – from a range of review sites, and hotel/accommodation and travel agency websites – again, ask questions and try to gather first hand accounts of what other people thought of each place. Begin to rank your top 5 ‘Yes’ choices followed by your 5 compromises (just in case). By the time you’re ready to book your next trip you’ll know exactly who you’re targeting – all you’ll need to rack you brain over is choosing your flights.

Start researching accommodation options online and draw up a list of Yes/No/Maybe options with plus and negative points to reflect on when making your final choices later Source
Pack it in
If it makes you feel a bit better, there’s no harm in packing things in advance – save yourself some trouble later. Take your time and add bits and pieces without the usual pressure of the clock. If the opportunity to get away arises sooner than you anticipated, you’ll be well ahead of yourself! Smug? you? Never.
…and finally, just daydream
This can be extremely beneficial when going through these particularlyΒ tough times.
Lose yourself!
I hope this helped someone with their holiday/vacation drought – feel free to share any other tips you have below x
Anna Koss
Looking at old pictures can also help I find or buying that summer scent that takes you back on holiday. But yes, planning your next trip is always good!
Cherryl
I agree with you on all those things Anna, and the perfume really takes me back. I normally buy a new one at the airport for each holiday, so there’s a fragrance for each trip ππ
Anna Koss
That is a very nice idea, a perfume for every holiday!
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Julie
I love to read and lose myself in others adventures!
Nicola John
Daydreaming and allowing myself time to daydream in my busy life
Cherryl
Here here, I’m with you on that πΉ
becci cleary
Honestly…books. I have hundreds…they transport you to other world’s and you can have your own adventures. I love them.
Cherryl
Couldn’t agree more – I’m a big bookworm myself ππ
Louise Crocker
Listen to the waves ( on my phone ) eyes closed and imagine Iβm in the Bahamas.
Cherryl
I bet it’s hard to snap out of that daydream π΄
Cristina
#needaholiday The only substitute is wine – and lots of it!
Cherryl
Lol π
CAROLINE WATSON
#needaholiday I usually flick through travel brochures/websites abd just day dream about my next hols!
Cherryl
Simple remedy, but very effective ππ
sheridarby
I love planning our holidays, we were walking the UK coast, til I slipped and broke my anke, so we had to cancel all or plans. Planning weekends away is also fun
Cherryl
Oh no!!! Hope your ankle is healing quickly. Weekend trips are a great idea ππ
Maria
#needaholiday I have a moodboard and pin ideas for my next getaway its fun
Wining with Mel
I tend to overplan my holidays and burn myself out. I’d recommend planning for a couple of days of doing nothing or flying by the seat of your pants (which is often when the most exciting and authentic experiences happen).
Bon voyage!
wherethewindtakesus.ca
Cherryl
Agreed – a bit of spontaneity always helps make things less stressful too! π
Gemma Massey
What keeps me going is lovely hot weather with a good read outside or when I go camping although my chug Arthur gets overexcited and wants play all the time so cute though I donβt know what Iβd do without him #needaholiday
Cherryl
….and we’re definitely get a good dose of sunshine this summer ππ¦
Kay Yew
my dog, Prosecco and fake tan so at least I look like I have been somewhere!
Cherryl
Lol – good tips ππ
Janine H
close my eyes and listen to a cd playing sounds of the sea
Cherryl
Sounds lovely ππ
Charlene Merrall
I havent been on holiday since I was 14 and I’m nearly 30 haha! I just put holidays out of my mind thats how I cope lol
Cherryl
It sounds like you’re long overdue for an escape (if you want one), that’s a long time – I think the longer you don’t have something the easier it is to do without it (no withdrawal symptoms lol). The UK is hard to beat for the weather at the moment though – enjoy!! ππππ¦
Sharon Freemantle
After the bad experience I had when I went abroad as a disabled personfor the first time I will never go abroad again. At least I live in Newquay Cornwall
Cherryl
Sorry to hear that Sharon, sounds like you had quite an ordeal – Cornwall is an enviable destination to live in – beautiful beaches, and views for sore eyes ππ
Tina H
I like to create a list of all the places I want to visit, and then hopefull I can tick them off.
Cherryl
Love that – I’ the same, when you write a list it makes it feel real and you want to start planning and preparing
ππβοΈ
isis1981uk
Holiday porn – looking through other people’s holiday photos on Facebook!
Cherryl
Yes!!! ππ΄
Helen Robertson
I always like to be one step ahead and plan my trips ….this never happens I just end up with more places that I want to visit!!!
Maggie Drummond
#needaholiday we don’t get away very often so daydreaming and “one day” conversations keep us going. I do however get to my grans at least once a year, she lives in a small hamlet in Caithness and the scenic drive up there with my kids in tow keeps be going until the holiday fund affords us a getaway π
Cherryl
Naturally!!! It’s a big wide world and who can blame you for want to see as much of it as possible – hopefully it motivates us to work hard so we can tick everything off – eventually π΄πβΊοΈ
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi)
The planning – and anticipation – is half the fun! π
Cherryl
It ‘so’ is!! Some people find all that stuff stressful but I could do it all day every day βΊοΈπ
Tracey Argent
#needaholiday. Picking up holiday brochures, days out and little holiday treats keep me going
Cherryl
Yep – I’m nodding with you on this πππ
Janine Phillips
I love watching travel programmes and also reading books that are based in foreign countries to ‘keep me going’ between hols
Cherryl
Couldn’t agree more ππ
Becky Cornes
#needaholiday We enjoy Summer picnics and barbecues, as well as spending days out at attractions near to our home! #familytime #makingmemories #qualitytime #barbecues
Cherryl
Yes – you can’t beat a good staycation to keep you going πβΊοΈ
Ruth Wollerton
We create a tropical paradise in the garden with mocktails, deck chairs and our paddling pool – we pretend we are on holiday.
Cherryl
Love that!!!! π΄πππΉπ
Laura Claridge
Lots of daytrips to fun places with my family. It doesn’t have to be far away….even a nature trail at the local park! π
Cherryl
Simple staycations are very much underrated – but they really do help you keep going…ππ
Deb Pettit
Planning the next holiday keeps me going in between holidays ~needaholiday
Cherryl
Completely agree π
Michelle Smith
I enjoy relaxing in my garden whenever the weather is nice which keeps me going until i get away
Cherryl
Perfect – why not! π
Janice Wood
Picnics in the sunshine with my family, walking along the beachβs in Norfolk hoping for that rare fossil find, eating out at local gluten free cafes,
Cherryl
Lovely!! I hear Norfolk’s very nice too! ππ
paula cheadle
try to have free time just for myself, maybe in the garden reading a nice relaxing book
Cherryl
You can’t beat that ππ‘πΈπ
Dale Dow
Trying to get as much free time as possible to meet my friends for coffee #needaholiday
Cherryl
πβ
Andrea Fletcher
I enjoy looking for new places to visit so I have something to look forward to.
Cherryl
Me too, feeding that zest to go somewhere new keeps me going πβοΈ
Kate Holroyd
TV?! Anyone else loving Cruising with Jane McDonald? There are even dedicated channels with tons of info and inspo.
Cherryl
Sounds interesting – I’ll Google that! πβ
Jayne
Great post. In the years that I haven’t been able to go away, I’ve tried to plan lots of day trips out, to keep me going and stop me getting bored. It’s amazing how much fun you can have just visiting local museums and parks with spending any money. #needaholiday
Cherryl
I’m with you on this 100% – little staycation activities really help pass the time and you really don’t need to spend any/or much money. π
Ann-Marie Gould
i save my spare pennies and try not too eat chocolate! #needaholiday
Cherryl
Every little helps π
Annabel Greaves
#needaholiday I love to look back on family photos of our fun holidays to keep me going until the next one xx
Cherryl
This helps me a lot – all the home movies, photos, blogs etc. Although out’s a bit costly, I find making photo books to keep on the coffee table are also a nice way to keep the memories within easy reach. I’d like to do one for every trip….eventually! π΄
Sarah Gardiner
Have something to look forward to in the pipeline, even if its just a night out with the girls!
Cherryl
Yes – it’s really important to plan thing to look forward to – to keep us going, no matter how small ππ
plumbobmummy
I research the next place Iβm going to visit, it keeps me excited plus doing some holiday shopping always helps #needaholiday
Cherryl
Oooo yes, keeping a look out for bits and pieces for the next holiday keeps the “going somewhere” feeling alive, and it’s even better if you ice up a few bargains ππ
glendabjack
I always say thank heavens I live in the Cayman Islands so that once I head to the beach and watch the beautiful sunsets my vacation blues go away.
Cherryl
Lucky you Glenda – if I lived in the Cayman Islands, I don’t think I’d need a holiday lol, you’ve got paradise on your doorstep, amazing weather and sunsets by the sea…..perfect!! πππΊπΊπ
glendabjack
Lol. Thank you.