Need a mini vacation?

“Travel often pushes us to our limits, and it presents a great time to reflect on the things that mean the most.” Kim Mance

Between projects, meetings, business lunches, decisions and frustrations you need a break. Now, you don’t have two weeks to relax in some tropical place. But what about a mini vacation? It’s perfect to take the edge off of all that office tension you’ve built up.

Women are more likely than men to feel guilty about taking time off from work, according to a 2009 study from Expedia. The same study found that women more often cancel or postpone vacation plans because of work. But how can you fit that much-needed vacation into your busy schedule?

Plan ahead , "A healthy balance is important when taking a mini vacation". As business women, our curiosity to see and conquer all can get the best of us.” Dont fail in over-scheduling yourself. Instead, “sit in the park, stroll slowly through a historic cemetery, sip coffee or attempt to speak the local language. Just try to get rested.”

Here are a few ideas to get this vacation started:

1. You don’t have to travel far to get away from the everyday stresses of life. Go Local! If you’re on a budget but still need a break, try checking in to a local B&B.


2. Visit a winery. There’s nothing better than a relaxing vacation served with a nice glass of wine.


3. Usually your girlfriends know just what you need to calm down. Make it a girlfriend getaway.


4. Don’t have time to plan? “A lot of larger cities offer great 3-day passes through the Tourism Office, which often highlight many of their major attractions.”

If you are like me, maybe you could be wondering if planning the mini-vacations could be more stressing than relaxing... Therefore, here are some tips:

1. Arrange for a pet-friendly hotel so your pooch can have an enjoyable vacation as well. Log on to petswelcome.com, a website devoted to pet travel, for a list of hotels that allow animals. If you decide to leave your pet behind, check out the American Boarding Kennels Association (abka.com) to find a legit kennel, or visit petsitters.org to find a professional pet sitter.


2. Pay bills due before return. Many service providers offer automatic bill pay, which allows them to withdraw the due amount from your account every month. To set up automated online bill pay with the phone company, you will need to give the company a voided check and one or two forms of authorization.


3. To avoid overpacking, plan outfits ahead of time. Choose a color palate and pack a few interchangeable pieces. For example, black pants or jeans can be worn multiple times with different tops. Choose travel-friendly fabrics like knits, gabardine and denim. Add some fun accessories to spruce things up.


4. Don't carry a lot of cash. Chieppo suggests bringing a small amount of cash and withdrawing what you need, using your debit card as you go. Travelers checks are also a good option because they are insured and can be replaced.


5. Don't wait until the last minute to renew or apply for a passport. During the summer months it can take up to 10 weeks to get a new one. In general, expect to wait at least four weeks from the time of application, but check with the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov) for travel updates.


6. Have each child pack a "survival kit" with games, books or iPods. Avoid packing pens and pencils; opt for crayons and washable markers instead. For road trips, cookie sheets and breakfast-in-bed trays are good flat surfaces for eating on, sticking magnetic toys to and coloring on.


7. Get your car ready. If you're hitting the open road, remember that car maintenance is always less expensive than emergency road service. Check the condition of tires, belts, battery and spark plugs before any road trip. Always keep an emergency kit in your car with (at least) a flashlight, flares, tire changing tools, jumper cables and a blanket.