There is beauty all around you!

I absolutely love being a travel planner. They say something like, if you can do something you love you’re not really working. While I may not know that quote word for word, I can say without a doubt that it is very true. Planning vacations make me happy. I find myself smiling while putting together packages for others.

Every once in a while though, I find a client that I can’t help. Their dream vacation is out of their price range, their travel companion was unable to make it, or even the cruise they were set on is now sold out. Those days can be rough. I think all hard-working adults deserve a vacation. They actually need getaways for their physical and mental well-being.

For my clients and readers, I want to assure you that all is not lost. Even though your dream vacation is temporarily out of reach, there are really other ways to get away.

· Road Trips are a great way to get away from it all. Most people have a beach within a 3-4-hour drive. Pack up your bikini and sunscreen and go beach. I don’t know about you, but everything seems better at the beach. Sure, you may not be in Jamaica, but you also won’t be enduring the stress of your office.

· Rent a hotel room. Stay in your city. Pick a random city nearby. It really doesn’t matter where. Rent a room and stay the weekend. Grab your favorite book or movie, order some room service. You’d be surprised, just being away from home can make all the difference.

· Just get out. For me I love to find walking and hiking trails in my home state of North Carolina. I get to take in new scenery. I get to work out. And my reward at the end is the feeling of finishing, and a breath-taking view of nature that brings me a peace that I can’t describe. I challenge you to find a hiking trail in your home state and try it just once.

Things out of our control happen all the time. Sometimes those things stall our vacation plans. Just know that it is ok. The Caribbean or your cruise may be out of the realm of possibility for now, but you can still getaway and recharge. There really is beauty all around you.