Planning the perfect get-away

Vacations can be a delicate balancing act. Sure, all-inclusive resorts are easy - get your passport, pack a swimsuit, sunscreen and some immodium and you're good to go.

For others - your time and packing are limited, but the worst is that you don't want to have a set schedule, because then you'll stress over timelines and missing something you hadn't expected - or worse, being behind schedule and having to rush. Plus, you can never plan enough for emergencies or other "adventures"

I've heard the best is to set destination benchmarks - for example, you'll be in place X by Date Y, and then give yourself time + extra to get to place X. That way, you can set a good pace, yet spend time where you want along the way. Makes sense - but probably not as easy as it sounds.