Planning the Perfect Vacation

plus 6 cool ideas for your next getaway

One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was on an Instagram post of my road trip throughout Ireland that read, “I feel like no one vacations better than you.” Usually with compliments, I brush them aside shyly, and respond something like, “No way!” But in this case, she was right — I plan the absolute best vacations.

I mean, of course, things don’t always go as planned (and one of the rules of How to Plan a Perfect Vacation is remaining very flexible.) Flights get delayed, illnesses happen (especially Covid), and I sometimes forget to book a reservation at a restaurant I’ve been dreaming about for a year, but I think I’ve nailed down the formula of The Perfect Vacation.

Although my thoughts around the topic of privilege & travel are pretty complex, I think everyone deserves a little R&R. I’m not having kids, so I like to think that all the waste I’d be contributing to if I did (cribs, bottles, toys, diapers, wipes etc.) are balanced out…? Is that how this works? Plus, I just look up Saint Anthony Bourdain quotes whenever I feel guilty and then I immediately feel better.

Psalms 4:11

Oh, the places you could go!

What’s your body, and most importantly your soul, craving? Something adventurous, unknown, and off the beaten path a little bit? Dreamy, relaxing, Mediterranean vibes? Tropical sexy tiki, like something that exudes a Sade song? An isolated mountain getaway, breathing in fresh air, but like, more elevated than the Smokies? Or maybe a unique city excursion, getting lost in an entirely different culture until your feet are throbbing?

For me it comes down to this, always actually: Do I want to relax by water the entire time, or explore a new city all day, or a little mix of both?

If you really have no idea what you want, but you definitely have the travel bug, look at some articles on Travel & Leisure, or even search on TikTok something such as “Vacation Spots for 2025” to get some ideas of where you want to go and where you don’t want to go (listen — I’ve been to Positano — it’s not worth it). The “36 Hours in _____” series in the New York Times also gives me a lot of inspiration.

For this summer’s vacation specifically, my social media-less husband chose the location from a list I gave him of some options that have been on our mind for awhile — Mallorca, Sardinia, or the Dalmatian Islands off of the coast of Croatia were the top 3 on the list. One thing was for sure — we wanted a Mediterranean seaside escape, where we could take a dip in the ocean without having to plan a whole “beach day,” snacks, drinks, and beach bag in tow. I wanted to wake up, drink some coffee, and hop right in the ocean, then get back out when it’s lunch time, then right back in, without even thinking about transportation and planning and all of that. And boy did I.

Once I narrowed down where I wanted to go, I explored every single accommodation possible for probably months, including flights and lodging. I’m definitely the planner in my marriage, but making the final choice is pretty stressful for me, so Mark chose Croatia based on the unbelievable villa we found. Plus it seemed unique given the other options (“Mallorca feels chosen for me, and we’ve already been to Italy,” he said).

Let’s Talk Money

One time we drove to Destin, FL on a long weekend after choosing to cancel one of our extended vacations due to Red Tide. We stayed at a dog-friendly, cheap motel right on the beach for only three days (here’s that motel link if you’re interested in a budget friendly vacation!), and it was one of the best vacations ever, despite only being $400. That being said — if you’re craving an international getaway that looks straight out of Vogue, maybe on the French Riviera or Mediterranean Sea, I’d say you can realistically do that with a budget between $4k-$8k for 7-14 days. Back in 2019, we went to the Amalfi Coast for 12 days and the entire trip only cost us $3k, which is fucking crazy to look back on.

In full transparency, our two-week trip to Croatia probably cost us around $9k ($4.5k each). Breaking that down, our flights were about $4k all together, our Airbnb was $4k, a rental car was 440 euros, and then there was all the food, drinks, ferries, etc.

If you don’t have all of that money saved up-front, opt for an airline that allows you to pay monthly through Affirm or Klarna! Both Airbnb and VRBO also allow payments on a monthly basis. Not to discourage you, but flights next summer to Europe are already looking to be $2k+. (I just checked Columbus to Mallorca for June 2025). So, if you buy the ticket now, you have about a year to pay it off, usually interest free depending on the company you go with. I really don’t see anything wrong with that.

From me to you

Here are some cute ideas for your next vacation with an accompanying mood board <3

Goin’ Solo:
Lisbon, for sure. You’re going to be walking uphill so much that you’ll be out of breath and won’t be able to talk to anyone else anyways. It’s so safe, and there are so many other solo travelers dining alone, reading a book at a cafe alone, exploring alone, too. I never felt lonely here. I’d recommend staying in the Chiado or Bairro Alto neighborhoods, where everything’s super walkable (I stayed here and loved it) but if you’re willing to sacrifice location for lodging, and want your own private pool, definitely stay here.

Kid-friendly, family affair, but not cheesy:
Drive down to Anna Maria Island, FL, a little slice of heaven. Everyone explores the island in relatively affordable rented golf carts, there are cute local cafes everywhere, most accommodations are walkable to the beach, and the ocean is warm and crystal clear. I recommend staying in Bean Point! It has the best beaches and houses. We stayed here one year and can’t wait to go back, although it’s pretty pricey.

Girl’s Trip (with a side of possible food poisoning):
Try out Mexico City! Endless vintage shopping, parks, dogs, and cafes serving the best food, cocktails, wine and coffee you’ll ever have. It’s a perfect city, in my opinion — moody, lush, & romantic. I really loved this bike tour through Frida Kahlo’s neighborhood, and staying in Roma Norte or Condesa (this place is cuuuuuute) is the way to go. Fuel up on probiotics months before your trip to get an iron gut. You’re gonna need it. :’)

The Road Less Traveled:
If you’re up for an adventure, Colombia is coming in hot lately, with many people specifically flying into Cartagena, then traveling out to the Rosaria Islands off the coast. While it seems relatively safe, some seasoned travelers have suggested taking extra safety measures. This would be an insane spot to stay in Cartagena! Then switch to this incredible beach bungalow a few days later when you boat out to the nearby islands.

The Fashionistas Who Sunburn Easily:
Your heart may say go to the Caribbean, but your fair skin is screaming Copenhagen. It’s a city filled to the brim with gorgeous architecture, a lively canal, world-class restaurants, and even an amusement park (The Tivoli Gardens!). And a lot of eye candy — the most gorgeous people I’ve ever seen wearing the most gorgeous clothing I’ve ever seen. My jaw was on the ground my entire time there. You can’t really go wrong with any neighborhood you stay in, but I’d go with the Norrebro or Vesterbro neighborhood again. How cute is this hotel?

A Page out of My Book:
The Dalmatian Islands, specifically Korcula Island, was a complete dream. And compared to many other vacation destinations, it wasn’t packed with tourists. In the tiny of town Vela Luka, the closest town to where our villa was, we seemed to be the only Americans (and liked it that way!). It was a little difficult getting there — we flew into Dubrovnik, then took a ferry to Korcula, then rented a car and drove across the island. Sounds like a lot, but it was all really fun and just part of the adventure. Here’s that Airbnb again, in case you missed it above!

This was so fun. If you have any other specific q’s, go ahead and ask!
Have a great week!!
xoxo Sav