Where to take a spontaneous holiday

We’ve talked before about the benefits of taking spontaneous holidays and how to be prepared for a spur of the moment trip (like getting your passport in order). Now you have to decide where to go on your next spontaneous holiday.

A few key elements in selecting a destination are:

• No visa requirements to slow you down
• No current travel alerts

Our list of top five destinations for spur of the moment trips currently matches both of these, but it’s best to check again before making your plans.

Spontaneous holidays are best when they are a good deal too, so sign up for some of the weekly alerts from the airlines.

All inclusive luxury

Sometimes a spontaneous holiday is necessary because you need to relax and not make any more decisions than necessary. This is when an all-inclusive resort can be just what you need. Once you make the decision about where to go, everything else is included and your hardest decision is ‘beach or pool’?

Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef fits the bill exactly if relaxation is what you need. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can snorkel or dive the Reef, or you can take a glass bottom boat tour.

Choose from deep sea fishing or relaxing at the spa. The staff will even pack a picnic lunch for you to enjoy on the beach.

Rates start at NZ$1360 per room per night and include meals, beverages, picnics, and non-motorised water sports.

American road trip

A classic road trip through the American West is a rite of passage and a recurring pop culture theme. Now it’s easier with Air New Zealand’s new service to Houston, Texas. Drive along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans.

Another popular drive starts in Los Angeles (a short connecting flight from Houston). Drive across the desert to Los Vegas. After enjoying the casinos and shopping, head out to see Hoover Dam, then drive south to the Grand Canyon and back to Los Vegas. This itinerary provides a great mix of man-made and natural wonders.

There are enough hotels along the road that you don’t have to make plans too far in advance, but an app like Hotel Tonight is a big help for saving on last minute reservations.

Sightseeing in Singapore

While Singapore is better known for shopping and restaurants, there are some great things to see and do. So if you’re tired of shopping, take a break and visit the Botanic Gardens (open 5am until midnight) to visit the orchid garden and walk the boardwalk through the rainforest. Take a break at Food For Thought, the eco-conscious restaurant with family tables and a playground.

Then head to the Ritz-Carlton to enjoy the collection of modern and contemporary art including Dale Chihuly sculptures. Enjoy lunch in the Chihuly Lounge before enjoying the rest of the collection including Andy Warhol and David Hockney. Touring the collection is free and an iPod guided tour is available.

British classics

The key to having fun on a spontaneous holiday in London is not having a rigid itinerary. It’s best to be ruled by the weather. If it’s nice out, then do things outside. When it inevitably starts raining, head for one of your indoor activities.

Clear day activities in London include walking along the Thames and over Millennium Bridge, visiting outdoor markets in Notting Hill and Portobello Road plus the farmer’s market on Southwark Street, Take a walk through the Royal Parks including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and St. James Park to enjoy the green space.

Rainy day activities in London include a free lunchtime concert at St. Martin in the Fields and St Bride’s (the wedding cake) Church on Fleet Street. If the Egyptian collection at the British Museum isn’t enough for you, visit the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.

Where ever you go on your spontaneous trip, be sure to get a quote for travel insurance before you go. To be prepared to leave at any moment, get a quote for annual multi trip travel insurance so you’re covered all year long.

Image courtesy of Flickr user Prayitno; cropped from original