Spending the weekend somewhere new is a great way to break out of the monotony of everyday life at home. Oprah.com has even cited scientific reasons for everyone to take a vacation. The time away allows you to rejuvenate and renew your bonds with your travel companions or with yourself, if you prefer enjoying a wonderful solo adventure.
Of course, before you actually set out on your adventure, you’ll need to plan everything ahead of time. It's great to be spontaneous sometimes, but when you only have a few days to explore a new place, careful preparation is essential. Good preparation is the key to a successful weekend getaway.
What If I Want to Bring My Pet with Me?
There are also many people who love taking their pets with them during weekend getaways. After being home 24/7 with your fur babies, it feels wrong to plan a weekend break without them. It can be difficult to enjoy oneself when leaving one's pet at home or in a boarding facility for several days, especially if your pet experiences separation anxiety.
If you find yourself in this situation, we’ve got the purr-fect list of weekend getaway activities for you and pet. A well-planned trip will allow you to remain on top of everything and accomplish what you set out to do, especially if your fur baby will tag along.
How to Plan a Weekend Getaway with Your Pet
Planning a weekend getaway should be a breeze. Anyone can make an 11-step plan, but you don't have to. Here’s how to keep things as simple and stress-free as possible.
1. Choose your destination
Choosing a destination is the first step in planning your stress-free getaway. If possible, the best weekend trip locations will be easily accessible by car. It's up to you to decide how far you want to go on a weekend trip, but setting a limit on the distance helps keep planning easier.
If you need some advice on where to go for a short vacation over the weekend, you can:
- Create a bucket list of nearby dream destinations.
- Check out local travel blogs for ideas.
- Ask your friends and family for recommendations.
- Check out local camping sites and nature destinations.
Once you’ve decided where to go for the weekend, you can move on to other parts of the preparation.
2. Decide how to go there
For a weekend trip, it's easiest to drive to your destination. Everyone has their own way of traveling, so if you want to fly for a weekend trip, go for it. But a flight might not be good for you or your pet, especially if they’re claustrophobic or anxious.
Is your pet scared of traveling by car? Try giving them CBD treats to help calm them down. Animals, like humans, have an endocannabinoid system; therefore, CBD can help them cope with stress and anxiety. Tinctures or edible treats of various flavors can be used to sneak CBD into your pet’s diet. Plus, they're sure to love flavors such as Salmon, Steak Bites, Apple Smacks, Sweet Pet-Tato Bites, and Bacon Soft Chews.
3. Pick where to stay
Consider treating yourself to a stay at a luxurious hotel, inn, or resort. The resort facilities or your hotel room alone may be all you need for the ultimate weekend escape with your fur baby. There are websites where you can find hotels, B&Bs, condo rentals, and homestays that allow pets.
Here are some tips for new or anxious travelers who can't decide where to stay:
- Locate two areas of interest using a map of your destination.
- Determine your accommodation budget.
- Narrow your search to only three or four hotels that are in a good location and within your price range.
- Review the facilities offered by each of these places before making a reservation. Make sure they’re pet-friendly.
4. Create your itinerary
Once you've decided where to stay at your destination, it's time to start planning your itinerary for the weekend. It’s best to pick one or two "can't miss" activities for a weekend trip and leave the rest of the time open.
Is a weekend of rest and relaxation more your style or are you looking for some adventure? The best of both worlds? Depending on your destination, there may be more things to see and do than you have time for during the course of a weekend. If that's the case, take some time to identify the activities that absolutely must be skipped, especially if you can’t take your pet with you.
Here are some weekend getaway ideas to get you started:
Discovering a nearby city can be an exciting idea if you're in the mood for some adventure. You can do a wide variety of things in the city, from checking out restaurants and exploring the outdoors to trying out some of the local hotspots.
Do you and your pet love spending time outdoors? Head out into the wilderness for a camping trip. You can find secluded lakes or forest areas that are popular go-to spots for campers.
Don't want to travel far? Simply choose a hotel or resort that's near your home. Even just lounging by the pool is already a great way to spend the weekend with your pet. Some resorts also offer spa treatments, hot springs, and meditation.
Everyone deserves to have the best weekend with their pet. We hope these tips are helpful and that you’re all set to plan a great weekend getaway soon.
