I strongly believe that whether you are on a business trip or a family vacation you should still try to make the most out of your travel experience. The best way to stretch your travel experience is to figure out what you have to do and then see if you have any room to add a little of what you want or desire.
For the most part, figuring out what you have to do is fairly easy. Do you have to attend a business function, conference, or meeting? Do you have to visit a friend, relative, or colleague? Do you have to attend a wedding or family reunion? Do you have to tour the world's largest ball of string museum?
Next, you need to identify the flexibility level of these commitments. Do you have to attend this event at a certain time and place or is your schedule somewhat flexible? Could you schedule other things before, between, or after these commitments?
With this knowledge, you can then decide if and where you can add a few of your wants and desires into your trip. If you have a very strict schedule, look at choosing a few basic wants such as choice in accommodation, transportation, and food type.
For instance, you may have to be in business meetings all day. However, it is your choice whether you want to say at the hotel across the street from your appointments or at the bed and breakfast a dozen blocks away. Maybe by staying at the hotel across the street you could save enough time to have a quick swim in the hotel pool before your morning meeting.
Similarly, you have to eat but what you eat is up to you. If you prefer cooking your own meals, stay at a motel that has a kitchenette or pack ready made meals that you can microwave to reheat. If you prefer the convenience of fast food, grab a bite at the local fast food chain. Alternately, if you really want to eat at a five star restaurant it may be worth making the effort and finding the time to make reservations and eat a gourmet meal.
If your schedule is more flexible you may be able to add activities that you desire into your trip. Simply think about the types of activities you would like to do. Would you like to relax at the beach or beside the pool? How about a night at the opera or an afternoon at a local museum? Would you like to go hiking or skiing? Perhaps you'd rather go to an amusement park? Maybe visit an old friend you haven't seen in years.
For the most part, figuring out what you have to do is fairly easy. Do you have to attend a business function, conference, or meeting? Do you have to visit a friend, relative, or colleague? Do you have to attend a wedding or family reunion? Do you have to tour the world's largest ball of string museum?
Next, you need to identify the flexibility level of these commitments. Do you have to attend this event at a certain time and place or is your schedule somewhat flexible? Could you schedule other things before, between, or after these commitments?
With this knowledge, you can then decide if and where you can add a few of your wants and desires into your trip. If you have a very strict schedule, look at choosing a few basic wants such as choice in accommodation, transportation, and food type.
For instance, you may have to be in business meetings all day. However, it is your choice whether you want to say at the hotel across the street from your appointments or at the bed and breakfast a dozen blocks away. Maybe by staying at the hotel across the street you could save enough time to have a quick swim in the hotel pool before your morning meeting.
Similarly, you have to eat but what you eat is up to you. If you prefer cooking your own meals, stay at a motel that has a kitchenette or pack ready made meals that you can microwave to reheat. If you prefer the convenience of fast food, grab a bite at the local fast food chain. Alternately, if you really want to eat at a five star restaurant it may be worth making the effort and finding the time to make reservations and eat a gourmet meal.
If your schedule is more flexible you may be able to add activities that you desire into your trip. Simply think about the types of activities you would like to do. Would you like to relax at the beach or beside the pool? How about a night at the opera or an afternoon at a local museum? Would you like to go hiking or skiing? Perhaps you'd rather go to an amusement park? Maybe visit an old friend you haven't seen in years.
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