Thinking about planning a trip this spring? The season is fast approaching, and you might feel overwhelmed trying to put together a trip with such short notice. We’ve put together an easy guide that lets you feel in control of your vacation plans and also ensures that you’re using your Palmera Vacation Club to the fullest. This guide is helpful regardless if you’re planning a trip in two months or twelve!
Step 1: Choose a Destination
The obvious start to planning any trip at all, this first step might be a no-brainer for some of you, and others might find it more difficult. Palmera Vacation Members have access to destinations around the world, so if you’re anything like us, you’re constantly adding another city or region to your travel bucket list.
Here are some things to think about (that we often forget) when narrowing down where to go whether you’re planning a trip for this spring or next:
Check for Festivals & Events Before Finalizing Your Dates
Whether you’re stuck to specific dates or not, choosing a destination may still depend on popular festivals and events that might occur while you’re there. Let’s say you’re planning a trip to Savannah, GA in March, and St. Patrick’s Day falls on one of the few days that you’ll be in town. You find out that Savannah hosts a spectacular parade and other events for the holiday—will the festivities be an added bonus, or would you rather find other dates to avoid the large crowds?
For those planning on traveling to Hilton Head in the spring, it’s easy to check for festivals and events by using Hilton Head Guest Service’s online calendar.
Look Up Average Temperatures & Weather Patterns
Have you ever planned a vacation, kept an eye on the weather, and wished you booked your trip for a few weeks later since the sunny destination you’ve been looking forward to is chillier than you expected it would be? A quick search of average monthly temperatures will give you a better idea of when to go and save you from disappointment.
Keep an Eye on the Flight & Other Transportation Costs
When it does come time to book airfare and a rental car, the best way to ensure you’re finding the best deal is by booking with your Quest Travel Club membership. Quest is one of the Six Ways to Travel on your Palmera Vacation Club Dashboard, and is an amazing tool that allows you to plan your entire vacation while finding the best prices on everything from transportation, activities, and accommodations.
Step 2: Find the Best Accommodations for You at the Best Price
Speaking of accommodations, this is your next step! There are many ways to find great accommodations through all Six Ways to Travel. As a Palmera Travel Club member, you have multiple resources that allow you to book a trip back to Hilton Head Island. Let’s go over some of the options that would make the most sense for booking a trip for spring.
Use Your Points with Palmera Resorts
Simply pick an arrival date and length of stay, and you’ll be able to choose from the available inventory listed. Not finding anything for that specific date? You’ll be given options that are near your selected arrival date, but you’ll always have the option to search again at the top of the screen.
Find a Discounted Stay for Cash Through the VIP Weeks Option
These discounts are exclusive to Palmera Vacation Club members, and are perfect for those looking to add another trip to the books without using up your points. Choose a month you’d like to search for, and choose from any of the available 3-night, 4-night, or 7-night stays.
You’ll notice that there are two rates, the discounted VIP Rate, as well as a second offer to the right of it. This new offer is extra-discounted and is available for those who haven’t attended a Member’s Update within the last six months. You’ll not only save an additional $200 on your stay, but have full access to VIP pricing that lets you save on dining, activities, bike rentals, and more! For your convenience, you’ll be able to schedule when you’d like to have your Member’s Update while you’re in town.
Booking with Palmera Resorts or finding a VIP Week are your two best options for planning a trip to Hilton Head during the spring. For those who already have a trip to Hilton Head planned for another time, let’s look at some options of how to save on spring travel to other destinations.
Travel Using Your Points with the RCI Exchange
The RCI Exchange offers available stays throughout the globe. If you have a general idea of which region to visit, you’ll be able to narrow it down using the search tools at the top of the page. If you’re truly still in the discovery process, let the map help you discover new places! You can always alter your specifications as you go. Don’t forget to see what’s available through the 1,000-Points-or-Less option!
Find Accommodations with Quest Travel Club
Search for Hotels, Homes, Weeks, and even exclusive stays on the Marketplace. You’ll need to have an idea of a destination along with tentative dates to be able to search at first, but from there you can always alter your search or narrow down the available options through any of the filters. The map feature lets you see if you’ll be located near any of the attractions or landmarks you hope to see, how far away from the airport or any other transportation centers you’ll be, as well as if there are cheaper areas within the region that will work better for your budget.
Step 3: Start Planning Your Itinerary
While we’re still on Quest Travel Club, let’s look at how you’re able to find activities to add to your trip’s itinerary. Even if you want to wait to book activities until you check the weather for your trip, you’ll be able to get a quick snapshot of what there is to do in that area including tours, rentals, and other indoor and outdoor activities! This will also give you an idea of how much you should budget for recreation during your trip.
Did you know that we have a growing collection of travel guides to various places in the United States and Internationally called, Destination Highlights? Each guide is located on the Palmera GO page on your Palmera Vacation Club portal. Check to see if we’ve curated a guide for the destination you’re headed to! You’ll be able to get a glimpse into what the destination is known for, what there is to do there, and what you won’t want to miss out on! A new destination is released every month, so keep an eye out if you’re looking for travel inspiration!
