Summer Vacation

As summer starts, it's the perfect opportunity to clear your head -- and your calendar -- for a much-needed getaway.

Jennifer Oberstein, a director with Leading Hotels of the World and an avid traveler for both work and play, offers the following pre-trip tips for planning the perfect vacation:

Keep an Archive

Whenever you read about a hotel or destination that sounds interesting, rip out the magazine page or bookmark the website. That way, when you're ready to plan a vacation, you'll have an instant list of starting suggestions.

Be Flexible

If you can fly by the seat of your pants, sign up for notifications of airline and hotel flash sales; you could snag some great last-minute deals.

Communicate

If traveling with friends, talk about everyone's budget and interests beforehand so you're all on the same page.

Avoid Disappointment

Many popular attractions -- like viewing the "The Last Supper" in Milan or the Holocaust Museum in D.C. -- require advance reservations, so make sure to book if you know that's on your list.

If You've Got: One Month

Travel expert Johnny Jet of JohnnyJet.com recommends renting a cost-effective service apartment or villa in a home-base destination from which you can explore nearby spots. Bangkok, for example, "makes for a convenient and inexpensive hub for visiting other parts of Thailand, as well as Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Central European cities, like Vienna and Zurich, offer easy access to the rest of the Continent, especially by train." Vacation Rentals by Owner and HomeAway feature affordable long-stay accommodations all over the world.

Use your month away to learn a skill. If you've always wanted to tango, for example, rent a pad in (relatively inexpensive) Buenos Aires, or improve your Español with classes in Chile or Peru. Volunteer vacations are other fabulous options for long vacations. Groups like Projects Abroad can help connect you to appropriate volunteering opportunities in destinations from Mexico to Morocco.

If You've Got: One Week

With seven days to spare, "pick an area where you can enjoy both sites and relaxation, without a lot of travel," suggests Oberstein. "A town-and-country experience lets you maximize your time, and shows off two aspects of a destination." Follow a few busy days in Los Angeles with chilling out in the picturesque -- and mellow -- Ojai Valley. For Johnny Jet, a week would also be a perfect amount of time for a cruise. "You can visit different places, but don't have to keep unpacking!" he says.

If You've Got: A Weekend

To start, pick somewhere "that's no more than a two-hour direct flight or three hour drive away," stresses Oberstein. "The shorter the vacation time, the more simple your travel arrangements should be." When picking a hotel, choose a place that has top food choices and activities options on site. Oberstein's favorites include Meadowood in Northern California's wine country, and the intimate Twin Farms in Vermont. Destinations spas like Mii Amo in Sedona, Ariz., offer three-day packages that include spa services, meals, activities and plenty of "me time."

If You've Got: One Day

For a quick escape, do something you've never done in your area -- and get away from your routine haunts. Whether your town boasts the Statue of Liberty or the largest ball of twine, if you've never been there, today's the day. "Do a search for your city online and look for unusual museums, historic sites, or activities like hiking trails and kayaking spots," says Johnny Jet. If you're feeling adventurous, check out train schedules and pick a nearby town at random to explore.

At-home Escape

If you can't physically skip town, take a mental break with these at-home tips:

Ignore time.

Turn clocks around, hide the cell and forget about sticking to a schedule. It'll feel liberating to cut loose from a set plan.

Unplug.

Give yourself a couple of hours of low-tech time. Instead, read a book or just daydream, away from the noise of the world.

Spa-aah.

Turn your bath and bedroom into a day spa. Light candles and ease into a warm bath; slather on a face mask and body scrub. Post-soak, massage on a nourishing body oil, spend extra time kneading the feet and neck, and then get cozy with a cup of herbal tea.

 

Sandra Ramani has covered spa, beauty, travel and lifestyle topics for Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Essence and NYMag.com. She is currently a contributing editor for Organic Spa Magazine and SpaWeek.com.

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