Making the Most of These Last Days of Summer

You don’t have to be a Game of Thrones fan to realize that winter is coming. Days are getting shorter, and there’s a hint of autumn in the air. As summer winds down and fall sets up camp, take advantage of the change of seasons to evaluate your 2015 summer. Did you travel as much as you could have?

Here are a few tips to help you transition and plan ahead before another summer is long gone.

Make a “last days of summer” mini-bucket list and see how much more summer you can squeeze out of the next couple of weeks. Even if you can’t travel too far away, there have to be some fun (and possibly free) things to do locally. Quickie weekender? Staycation? Get it while the getting’s good!

With school back in session, it’s a great time for grownups without children to seek out discounts for flights, accommodations, etc during the “off season” and to experience a range of destinations without all the crowds who filled the same places just a couple of weeks ago.

The great thing about September is that the weather is often still sunny and summery but cooler and fresher. Are you near the beach, a lake, the mountains? Get outside and play!

What do you miss most about the other seasons? Attending a football game? Winter sports? Taking a leaf-crunching hike through the forest? Curling up by the fireplace with a good book? The end of summer is a smart time to think about how you hope to make the most of the upcoming few months. Avoid the rush and book your autumn and winter trips now.

Didn’t get to do everything you had hoped to do this summer? Now is a great time to plan ahead, make a list, or maybe even book some trips for next summer. With a bit of reflection, summer 2016 might just turn out to be your greatest summer yet!  Of course, if you actually did have an amazing summer this year, how come? What was great about it and how can you make sure next year’s just as wonderful or even better?