Table of Contents
Everyone wants to ensure they have a fun vacation, especially once finally learning they’ve secured the time off work. However, it can be devastating to realize that the weather is less than ideal in your intended destination. Just because the sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean your vacation needs to be ruined though, as proper planning can help guarantee you have a trip to remember.
Make no mistake: adverse weather conditions will make planning your vacation more challenging but not impossible. By adequately taking care of pre-vacation planning, staying informed of weather patterns, actively dealing with disruptions, having backup plans, and maintaining a positive attitude you’ll be able to keep your trip light and fun.
Pre-Vacation Planning Tips
First and foremost, before ever taking off or hitting the road for your journey you should research the weather patterns of your intended destination as well as if there are any seasonal variations. For example, knowing that 60% of tropical storms turn into hurricanes on average can help you be more cautious if you see a news report that one is forming. Once you know what the weather conditions are projected to be like in your destination, you can also pack smarter and safer.
Additionally, knowing you are headed into an area that has variable weather can inform your decision to purchase travel insurance that keeps you covered against unexpected expenses due to weather. While doing your pre-planning, also take the time to think about backup plans to have in place in case the weather happens to turn on you.
Staying Informed and Prepared on Your Trip
Once you are actually on your way to your destination or perhaps already there, staying informed and prepared will be crucial to the success of your vacation. Monitor weather forecasts and alerts using reliable sources such as local news, weather apps, or even government websites. Also be sure to know what the emergency procedures are in your area in the event of hazardous weather, such as where the evacuation routes lie and the contact information for the authorities. If you are driving to your destination, consider packing an emergency kit in your vehicle that contains key items including:
- Blankets to keep yourself warm if you are stranded
- A flashlight to light the path in case you need to walk
- Jumper cables in case your car battery dies
- Non-perishable food and plenty of water
- A first aid kit in case there is a car accident or any general injuries
The last thing you want is for your trip to be ruined because you didn’t prepare properly. In the event you do need to make last-minute changes to your itinerary, reach out to your travel advisor to see about making adjustments.
Dealing with Travel Disruptions Effectively
In some cases, you won’t be able to predict poor weather conditions until you are actually deep into your vacation. That’s why knowing how to deal with travel disruptions efficiently is so important. Review any and all tickets you may have to see about your cancellation options or options for reimbursement. Whether you are attempting to get a refund from an airline, hotel, or other type of travel-related entity, use the following tips when speaking to the customer service line:
- Document the issue: Keep a detailed record of the problem, including dates, times, and specific details. Take photos or videos if possible.
- Contact the hotel or airline directly: Reach out to the company’s customer service department as soon as you encounter the issue. Explain the problem clearly and politely.
- Request a refund or compensation: Clearly state your desired resolution, whether it’s a full refund, partial refund, or other compensation.
- Follow up: If you don’t receive a satisfactory response within a reasonable timeframe, espeically if your vacation is just about to begin, follow up with the hotel management or customer service department.
- Contact the booking platform: If you booked through a third-party platform like Booking.com or Expedia, contact their customer service to file a complaint.
- Consider contacting your credit card company: If you paid with a credit card, you may be able to dispute the charge if the hotel fails to resolve the issue.
Making the Most of Indoor Activities
Bad weather doesn’t mean you need to cancel all activities that you had planned for your trip, but you might need to pivot a few of them around. If you are stuck in your vacation destination when poor weather strikes, but can still leave your accommodations, consider indoor activities such as going to a museum or art gallery, catching a play, or even visiting a historical site. Poor weather also makes for a great excuse to try tasty foods, so consider finding a cozy cafe or fine dining spot in your destination.
When forced to stay indoors relaxing activities such as spa treatments, massages, and even yoga classes can help to relieve your aggravation the weather situation. If you are feeling bold and it’s safe, you can still partake in outdoor activities on your trip, but be sure to have the proper gear in place so that you don’t freeze to the bone due to being soaked in rain or the snow.
Always Maintain a Positive Attitude
At the end of the day, a vacation is what you make of it which is why the biggest tip to remember is to have a good attitude. Take the time to connect with fellow travelers or enjoy the downtime with your friends and family. Just because you can’t do all the activities you originally intended doesn’t mean you can’t still have a nice vacation or try something new. Believe it or not, only 50% of men and 39% of women polled used their vacation time, which means much PTO is sacrified on a yearly basis. Enjoy the fact that you are on a vacation at all even if the weather is not as ideal as intended.
Plan a fun vacation for you and your family
Just because the weather will be poor during the time of your vacation doesn’t mean your trip needs to be ruined. Learn to embrace the unexpected and view challenges on your vacation as opportunities for growth and adventure. With the right mindset and preparation, even a vacation impacted by bad weather can be memorable and rewarding. With all this said, though, take the time to ensure that your trip will still be safe and that you won’t be in danger due to poor weather.