For frequent flyers, air travel is a normal part of their life. However, for some people, it’s frightening and a major source of anxiety.

Fear of flying can be due to any of the reasons including fear of enclosed spaces, fear of heights, fear of turbulence, or fear of being out of control.

However, if the thought of flying in a plane sent shivers down your spine and you break out in a cold sweat, read these facts about air travel to help manage your flying anxiety:

1. Flying is the safest form of transport

Plane crashes are extremely rare, and when they do happen the media focusses on them because they are so rare.

As per an article published in the popular news magazine The Week, a study conducted by Harvard University found that the chances of a plane crash are 1 in 1.2 million, and the chances of dying in a plane crash are 1 in 11 million.

In fact, you’re much more likely to die in a car, bus or train accident than in a plane crash.

More than 4 billion people travel by plane each year and in an article published on Popular Science, it states that flying is definitely the safest mode of transport.

2. Pilots are re-tested every 6 months

What you might now know is that pilots have to be re-tested every 6 months to prove their competency and if they don’t pass their simulator test then they are not allowed to fly.

I don’t know of any other industry that re-tests its experts to keep the public safe.

3. A plane can fly safely with just one engine

Many people assume that you need both engines to fly a plane.

However, a twin-engine aircraft can fly safely if one of the engines does not work properly. In fact, even if both engines fail a plane could glide using the principle of flight and this is regularly practiced in the simulator as well as other emergency procedures.

For example, in 2001, Air Transat Flight 236 landed safely without any engine power and with zero fatalities.

4. Turbulence is not dangerous to the plane

For many passengers, turbulence is the most frightening aspect of air travel.

However, turbulence is a normal part of flying, and not in any way dangerous to the plane.

The main danger is people falling over in the aisle if they are not strapped in during a turbulence episode and this is why for your safety the seat belt signs go on when there is a whisper of turbulence.

So always remember to return to your seat and buckle up during turbulence!

5. Oxygen masks really do work!

There’s an old myth that oxygen masks on planes are not effective, but this is false.

When the oxygen pressure in the cabin drops below a certain mark, bags containing the oxygen masks will fall automatically.

It may not seem like there could be enough oxygen to survive, but there is plenty and nothing to be concerned about.

In the end…

No matter how many times nervous flyers read the statistics about flying safety, some people still feel anxious.

It’s such a shame because their fear of flying can affect both their personal and professional life.

Imagine this – you can travel all you want, at your own pace, without any work deadlines constantly nagging, you don’t have to rush a holiday because school summer breaks are almost over, and you don’t have to go back because classes/jobs are coming in the way (and you are broke mid-holiday).

Folks who are in their 50s and 60s have got all these sorted out for them. What a great time to travel and see the world! You are in that age where you don’t feel the need to impress anyone with how far you can trek or how fast you can hop destinations, now you can just tell people that all you want to do is travel comfortably, eat good, stay away from the crowd, sit back and relax. That’s the golden age for travelling. We have handpicked these destinations for you for your well-deserved holidays.

1. Kerala

Kerala is a timeless beauty, and our favourite for obvious reasons. From serene backwaters to gorgeous gentle hills with great weather, Kerala never disappoints. Places like Munnar, Wayanad, Kovalam, Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Alleppey, they all are great destinations for a relaxing holiday, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is not called God’s own country for nothing.

2. Puducherry

If you don’t mind leisure walks around peaceful seaside localities, Puducherry is the destination for you. Feel the nostalgia as you walk around the French quarters, visit the cool seaside eateries for a meal with a view, enjoy Auroville’s calm and serene atmosphere, and once the sun is down, head to the beach for a cool evening.

3. Rajasthan

Take your time to explore the many palaces in Rajasthan. One of the best ways to do that is to stay at one of the many havelis or palaces which are now turned into hotels. Rajasthan has been successful in maintaining the royal culture and it is a wonderful thing to experience. After all, now is the perfect time to pamper yourself with the best of luxury. Jodhpur, Chittorgarh, Ranthambore, Udaipur, Jaipur and Jaisalmer should be on your Rajasthan itinerary. Slow travel is the best kind of travel,and Rajasthan is perfect for slow travel.

4. West Bengal and Sikkim

When we say West Bengal, we mean the hills. The hills of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik and Siliguri are perfect for senior citizens. Views of Kanchenjunga, rich tea gardens, pretty localities, good food and friendly people, these are the experiences you will get in these hill stations. The nearby state of Sikkim should not be left out. If you don’t mind hilly roads (but scenic), Gangtok and Pelling are two great places to keep in your itinerary. Between these two places you will have plenty of beautiful monasteries to explore, you can visit Ravangla, and also experience the calm Khecheopalri Lake.

5. Himachal Pradesh

One of our favourites, Himachal Pradesh, is always a safe option when it comes to slow travel. Himachal is a popular adventure destination with so many great trekking routes around. But here we will look at more relaxed destinations like Mashobra, Chail, Fagu, Kasauli, Shimla, Shangarh, Tirthan, Barog, Dalhousie, Great Himalayan National Park, the list goes on. Summer is the perfect time to experience Himachal Pradesh. Here you can spend quality time at the fruit orchards, and the meadows are perfect for picnics.

If you also want to stay healthy while travelling and want to increase your immunity, then definitely these tips will help you.

It is very difficult to maintain a healthy routine while travelling. During this time we are forced to eat the same fried spicy food. Roaming all day and then eating street food or sitting at a restaurant when you are hungry completely spoils your routine. Eating this type of food also reduces our immunity, due to which problems like headaches, and back pain start occurring during the journey. If you also want to stay healthy while travelling and want to increase your immunity, then definitely read the tips given in this article carefully.

Exercise daily and take vitamin supplements

As you know, our immune system helps in keeping us away from infections and diseases. Due to a lack of strong immunity, germs and parasites can enter your body and make you sick. Taking a healthy diet and exercising on a daily basis helps in boosting good immunity. While travelling, you can do yoga or stretching exercises daily in your hotel room. Also, you can do meditation daily. In addition, there are many foods including kiwi, lemon, broccoli, berries and bananas that contain antioxidants, which help in boosting the immune system. You can also boost your immunity by taking essential vitamin capsules like Vitamin C and D along with Zinc on a daily basis.

Have a healthy breakfast

When you go on a trip, it is obvious that healthy food will not work for you. In such a situation, you usually keep eating snacks and fast food while travelling, which is definitely not good for your health at all. Things like potato chips and candies may fill you up for a while, but because of their high salt and sugar content, these snacks deplete your energy levels. Therefore, if you feel hungry while travelling, we suggest that you can have some light and healthy snacks, such as popcorn and dry fruits. Apart from this, you can also keep a protein bar with you.

Drink lots of water

We often forget to drink water while travelling. We drink water only when either there is food or we are very thirsty under compulsion. Due to the lack of water in the body, bacteria and viruses attack very quickly in your body, especially when you are on a foreign tour. To keep yourself hydrated, you must drink at least 8 to 9 glasses of water throughout the day or you can also keep a water bottle with you. Drink a glass of water before sleeping and after waking up in the morning.

Do not consume alcohol or smoke

When we go out for an outing with friends or partners, we often start planning for a liquor party. You should limit the consumption of alcohol or smoking while travelling, as it not only affects your sleep but can also lead to extreme fatigue and stress. Also, smoking is also very harmful to your body, so stay away from such things while travelling.

Eat the right amount of food

When we go out for a walk, when we are hungry, we tend to overeat. Due to this either the problem of acidity starts or our weight increases. If you want to keep yourself fit and your immune system strong during travelling, then try to eat something light for dinner if you have eaten heavy food for lunch. So that food can be easily digested at night. The night, you can have lean proteins, more vegetables, nutritious soups and salads.

Wash your hands after touching anything

The most important thing that you should take care of while travelling is hand hygiene because our hands touch every single thing like the doorknob, food plate, bag handle etc. Then with these hands, you eat food and touch your eyes and mouth. Before doing any work, first, sanitize your hands or after washing, wipe your hands thoroughly with a towel.

Weekend vacations are incredibly underrated. First, they are a great way to escape daily hassles, de-stress, relax, and unwind on a weekend. Second, weekend trips have many benefits. Imagine, you can explore a new destination without spending a fortune, travel even with a 9 to 5 job, and see the lesser-known towns in your area. I bet this is really cool! But how do you go about it? How to plan a weekend getaway?

While planning a weekend adventure might seem like an easy task, it actually involves some work. You will still need to think about budget, where to stay, what to pack, food, and, the most important thing, how to keep your luggage light! However, it can’t compare to a long, annual trip. In this post, I’m going to give you some killer tips to help you plan the best weekend trip ever. These are the basics people usually forget while planning a weekend away, but taking them into account when planning your fun 48 hours will make a huge difference in your overall enjoyment of the journey!

Top Travel Tips for Planning a Weekend Getaway

So you’re on a mission to plan a weekend trip but still unsure where to start? Fret not. In fact, you can even do your weekend planning last minute!

1. Think About What Kind of Trip You Want

Start by identifying your travel goals and reasons you want to visit a particular destination. Are you looking to get off the grid so you can forget about your job for two days, or are you looking to visit a location you’ve always wanted?

When planning a weekend getaway, think about what kind of trip you’re hoping for. This will help you narrow down selecting a destination and get the creativity flowing. Once you know what kind of trip you’re looking for, come up with a list of destinations, whether it’s cities, small towns, or countryside getaways.

2. Choose the Right Time To Go

Next, you’ll want to figure out when you will be traveling, because that will determine your packing list, accommodation options, and the booking process, which may involve getting permits in National or State Parks.

Choosing the right time to go depends on what you want to do while you are there. Whether it is boating, sightseeing, hiking, camping, or spending time at the beach. Obviously, you can’t predict weather two weeks ahead but it’s important to get a reliable weekend weather forecast. It’s a no-brainer, they can adversely affect your travel experience.

Flooded country roads make it hard to access remote areas, heavy downpours can spoil your plan of a bike trip. Suffocating heat and humidity can shed away your dream of hiking making it unbearable and risky as well. However, with a little planning ahead, you can actually save yourself from these bad experiences.

Today, social media and apps have a very deep impact on our lives and they help us way beyond. So here is the time to make the most of your smartphone. The best way to plan a mini-vacation is to add cities you wish to travel to your phone’s weather app. The moment you check the weather for the location you are in, you can also check to find how the weather will be in your future destinations as well.

3. Choose a Destination And be Flexible About It

Once you have decided when you are traveling, it’s time to think about where you want to go.

When it comes to picking a destination, keep your mind open.

The beauty of a small trip is that it can lead you to unexpected places. You may find inspiration as you browse Facebook pages and stumble upon your friends’ recent post about a nearby place they ventured to, or you may find a great travel deal.

With that said, perhaps you want to explore the city you live in, and that can be a rewarding experience! This brings a lot of practical advantages too. At the end of your workweek, you won’t have to rush to the airport or worry about forgetting things. You can start a mini-vacation whenever you want it.

However, if you plan on leaving your home town, compare flights, hotels, and car deals to/in nearby destinations to determine the best trip for the weekend you’re looking to a weekend getaway. You can also research what’s going on in those destinations. Check whether there are concerts, shows, and festivals coming up you’d like to attend.

Keep in mind if you have only 2-3 days, it’s best to pick a destination that is no more than a three- to four-hour plane ride away so as not to eat too much into your actual trip.

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to hike popular trails, pick your destination accordingly? Making sure you will be able to do what corresponds to your desire will help you pick exactly the right place.

Your travel buddies can also dictate the destination. If it’s a solo trip, of course, you have a place that speaks to you. But if you are looking for things to do with friends on the weekend, options can differ dramatically since they too have their own bucket list. Comparing places on your lists may help you come to a compromise, or maybe you’re lucky and everyone already wants to visit the same place.

Whatever the case, keeping an open mind and being flexible will help you embrace the weekend – and with that attitude, you’re sure to have an amazing time wherever you end up!

4. Budget For a Weekend Getaway

It’s easy to plan a weekend getaway within two days, but your budget will largely determine where you want to go to. With so many things you need to pay out each month, it can be hard to save up even for a weekend trip. In fact, money stress is one of the most significant things that prevent people from traveling. However, with some budgeting and forward planning, you can avoid overspending on your credit card and plan for a small trip.

To make budgeting easier and simpler, set aside money in a vacation budget before you even start planning. You can open a separate vacation savings account and set up auto-payments that deposit to it every week or month. You will end up having a decent amount of money to pay for accommodation or airline tickets. My friend uses this trick so that he always has enough money for a vacation trip in case an opportunity to travel comes up.

If you’re looking for easy ways to save money for travel consider using tools such as Digit and Qapital that let you accumulate money without thinking about it. These apps can help transfer “extra” money into a dedicated account that you can use for vacation purposes. Similar to a savings account, you can withdraw your money when you’re ready to use it. Otherwise, set it and let it grow!

As you actively put money away for a weekend getaway, you will be more likely to put it to good use and plan an incredible trip.

5. Check Your Car For the Trip Or Keep an Eye Out on Flight Deals

There are many ways to save on weekend getaways and even more of companies that can help you do so! To ensure your weekend trip goes smoothly, you should next determine whether you travel by plane or opt for using your own vehicle.

If you choose the latter, have your car undergo technical check-up and maintenance before leaving your city. It is a good idea to make sure your driving license and insurance are valid. Download offline maps and update the map data to prepare for your road trip. Don’t forget to plan out your perfect route and decide when the best time to leave will be.

If you are flying, check your passport (ensure it’s valid) and book your airline tickets. Look at Skyscanner or a similar flight search engine and score some great deals for cheap flights.

Consider signing up for airline newsletters that will deliver travel deals straight to your inbox. If you don’t want to limit yourself only to only newsletters, you can also proactively search for deals from airlines, travel companies, hotels, and more. I’m also loyal to Star Alliance (Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air China), and I keep tabs on their travel deals by skimming the occasional emails they send.

6. Plan Your Stay

No weekend trip is complete without finding proper accommodation. Arguably one of the most important things you need to factor in, finding the best and cheapest room for your weekend trip requires some effort. Moreover, since you only have two or three days, the location should be your top priority.

Here are some tips and advice to help you decide, and choose the right travel accommodation:

Beach Getaway: To maximize your time, find accommodation near the beach to reduce the amount of time traveling from your room to where the beach is.

Romantic Getaway: To create unforgettable memories while on vacation consider staying at a luxurious suite in a 4+ star hotel or villa. if you planning a hike for your next outdoor adventure go glamping or turn your tent into an amazing staycation.

Family Getaway: If you travel in a group or with your family go camping or book an apartment-style hotel/Airbnb so that kids can move around. Apartment-style hotels with kitchen and hostels are great for anyone looking for a sociable atmosphere with friends.

7. Plan & Manage Your Vacation Itinerary

When planning out your weekend trip itinerary, it’s vital to take into account the logistical details so you don’t end up spending all your time running from one side of a city to another. Calculate the average time it takes to get to each activity, landmarks, and how far the different activities are from one another. If you can’t afford to add an extra day to your weekend trip, try to cluster the places that are located near one another during the same time blocks of your day.

Pro Tip: Put together a list of things that interest you in the area and save their locations on Google Maps so you can keep track of where everything is and have a clear travel itinerary.

Things look a bit different when it comes to indulging in activities that require pre-book a selected time-slot (some museums require this, as do more adventurous activities). Beyond that, I just keep the bucket list I created days in advance saved on my phone and bring it up whenever I’ve finished an activity and I’m ready to move further. This prevents me from feeling anxious about not seeing everything and makes for a more relaxed trip overall.

8. Decide What To Book in Advance

When you plan a weekend getaway you’ll want to maximize your travel time and know exactly what are the best places to see and the best free things to do.

As much as I like to just show up, some weekend planning is a good idea before heading towards a popular bucket list destination in high season or there is a risk that the tour might be booked out by the time you get there.

Popular attractions like Alcatraz in San Francisco and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London are booked out well in advance, so you will waste your time showing up without a prior reservation.

Research and organize your tickets to any museums, theatres, and festivals, etc. Another simple way to save money on attractions is to purchase City Passes. Research those in your weekend planning!