I have a weird work schedule and other weekly commitments (I’m a synchronised swimmer) so it’s hard for me to get lots of days in a row to go away. In the last couple of years I’ve embrace the short getaway as a way of seeing more of the world.

Two week break holidays are often not what people are looking for, I don’t really fancy lying on a sunlounger for 2 weeks anyway. Three is so much of the world to see I want to get on and explore.

So here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way

1 – Do lots of research before you go

Don’t just book the cheapest holiday that you can find as it may cost you more in the long run. I recently went to Naples and chose a hotel by the sea so we could do some sea swimming as well as the city sites. I’m very happy to use public transport but forgot to check the reliability of it in that area and on a Sunday. We spent a lot of money on Ubers on that trip as public transport was slow and not easy to navigate from where we were. A more central location would have been more expensive initially, but we wouldn’t have had the transport issues.

So check how far the hotel is from the airport and from where you want to spend the most time. Email the hotel as they can usually be helpful and I’ll be writing a blog on useful apps soon too.

2 – Let caffeine fuel your trip

These trips are not going to be restful breaks which allow you to catch up on sleep. But they will provide so much fun that you find yourself going home energised anyway. There will be early morning flights and late nights as you pack everything in but coffee always helps – as does the delicious local food!

3 – Don’t over pack your itinerary

Although you want to see as many places as possible, don’t stress yourself out with trying fit everything in. There is always another flight back for another chance to explore.

Sometimes it’s best to pick a few things and have the time to really enjoy them instead of racing around trying to fit everything in.

4 – Pack light

There are many places now where you can leave luggage but when you are on a short trip you really don’t need much. On my last few trips I’ve only taken a small under the seat bag which I am happy to carry around with me all day. This also saves on money for your flight and time too. If you don’t need to check a bag then you can arrive later for your flight and you don’t need to waste valuable time at baggage reclaim.

5 – Use your time wisely

Take any opportunity to rest – sleep on the plane or on public transport (if you feel safe enough) or use these opportunities to plan your day. Eating the local food is definitely part of the adventure, but sometimes restaurants can take a long time to eat at. I have eaten amazing food at local cafes which was quicker and cheaper!