Planning an Epic Girls' Trip with Your Golden Coil
There’s nothing quite as fun or exciting as planning a girls’ trip. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a staycation, or a longer trip with family members or long-time friends, a girls’ trip promises relaxation and fun! But as any seasoned traveler knows, an unforgettable trip requires a bit of preparation. From choosing the destination to keeping track of expenses, and meticulous planning can make all the difference. That’s where your planner comes in!
Using the Brain Dump Pages
Before you get into the nitty-gritty of travel logistics, start by using your Brain Dump pages to outline your big picture goals and intentions for the trip. This is where you’ll create a vision for the trip and start organizing.
Brainstorm Your Ideal Trip. Gather your girlfriends either in person or online, and spend time dreaming about your trip. Where do you want to go? Do you want to relax at a spa or get adventurous with outdoor activities? What types of activities interest everyone? This will help you set your objectives: relaxation, reconnection, exploration? If you want to get really official, you can also use the Meeting Notes page and share later. One person could act as the scribe, then transfer any information into a shared app like Notes, so people can add or edit as needed.
Destination Research. Use the Brain Dump pages to research your destination. This could include interesting places to visit, local attractions, restaurants to try, or unique experiences you want to include in your itinerary. Write it all down here so you have everything in one place.
Using the Travel Pages
Set an Itinerary. Once you’ve decided on destination, the Travel Pages are incredibly detailed, down to the weather. Here you can keep track of accommodations, transportation, the list of agreed-upon activities, etc.
Delegate Responsibilities. Once you all agree on the specifics, start delegating. Who will get the rental car? Put that under Transportation. Who is booking the hotel or rental? Log that under Accommodations. Are there tickets to be purchased? Etc. This can all be kept track of on the To Do portion of the Travel page. This keeps all this information in one, easy-to-find place.
Pack Responsibly. When it comes time to pack for the trip, the Travel Pages have a handy Packing section to keep track of everything that needs to go with you.
Using the Event Planning Page
The Events Page makes an ideal place to also do some trip planning.
Flights and Transportation. The Events pages allow you to track flight details. Simply put the attendees under Guests and the times of their flights/landings. Use this section to note important dates and times, such as flight departure times, check-in details, and even transportation between the airport and your accommodation.
Keep Track of Restaurants. If you have dinner reservations, write them under Menu. Add the time and place.
Shopping List. This can be a great place to not only keep track of stores you’d like to visit, but also any groceries or other items that attendees will be bringing.
Using the Budget and Expenses Pages
Once you decide on the finer details, it will be easier to nail down a budget.
Tracking Expenses. Keep track of your expenses with the Budget and Expenses Pages. Go day-by-day of your trip, writing any foreseeable expenditures (i.e. spa visit, fancy dinner, Broadway show, etc). Then keep track of the actual costs as they come in.
This makes it so that you will know what to expect and don’t need to stress about money. No sticker shock here! You will better be able to enjoy your time away. Leave room for souvenir shopping or other contingent spending.
Analog Tracking. In the event of lost receipts, the Budget Page has a lined portion if you need to keep notes on shared expenditures. Apps like Splitwise are helpful tools and can do the math for you, but having a record of the amounts is necessary to do the calculations. Taking pictures of receipts and keeping track of costs in a Notes app are also easy options, but if you want an extra record, jotting down the costs is also quick and easy.
With so many ways to use your planner, gather your besties, pick your destination, and start planning! With a little bit of prep and the right tools, your girls’ trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Happy travels!