No matter how much you love your job or how satisfying it is, you tend to get stuck in a rut. You often find yourself gazing out the window at work, wishing you were somewhere else. You dread the thought of receiving another meeting request. A single bad day is totally okay. It happens to everybody. However, spending all your time at work can be detrimental to your happiness, well-being, and career. If you’re experiencing a rut because of burnout, take a step back and take a much-needed break. Let yourself off the guilt hook and take advantage of your paid time off.

Get a vacation to have a break from the stress of work. A weekend trip will boost your mental and emotional health. Such a trip is great to recharge your batteries and can be preferable to an extended break. Deciding what destination to visit can be daunting. If you want to be savvy with your free time, consider visiting Antwerp. It’s home to refined hotels, majestic Gothic cathedrals, exciting museums, and cosy places to eat and drink.

If you’re not a frequent weekend vacationer, here’s how to get the most pf a weekend break.

Set Goals and Expectations for Your Trip

Do you want to unplug and find peace for yourself or hit popular nightclubs and bars? Your weekend getaway will be a waste of time if it doesn’t accomplish what you want to do. Take a moment to think about your goals and expectations for the trip. Put everything necessary in writing. A list will help you keep track of your ideas and remind you of your goals and expectations as you plan. Number your interests in order of preference and see which one comes out on top. Plan your itinerary carefully taking into account travel times and tourist attractions.

Purpose gives focus to your planning, offers motivation to move forward, and helps you survive tough times. Don’t become too invested in your job that you can’t take time to unwind. The right kind of break will help you fight negative stress. Create a vision board on Pinterest with images for Antwerp, update the wallpaper on your phone with a picture from the city, read blogs about Antwerp, and start saying “I’m going to…” (not “I want to…). The perfect weekend getaway means something different for everyone.

Figure Out How You’re Going to Get to Antwerp

While flying to Antwerp is possible, you can travel by train. Jump on a train to Antwerp and see the most epic landscapes. Antwerpen-Centraal is regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful railway stations. Its beauty is one-of-a-kind, with a unique and special architectural style. Antwerpen-Centraal station an be seen as a rare combination of historic preservation and adaptation to the requirements of modern technology. A journey from London to mainland Europe takes just over 2 hours.

Some trains now have Wi-Fi so that you can stay connected while away. Regarding train travel, it’s crucial to choose the right train. Find the best fit for your style of travel. You could book your journey with NS International. The trains run well, there are little disruptions or delays, and if you book early you get the lowest prices. It’s an option worth considering. As mentioned before, it’s good to buy your ticket in advance. You’ll have a seat on the trip booked. Sometimes tickets sell out quickly. Also, fares go up in price, right up until the day you travel.

Do Your Research Ahead of Time and Make an Itinerary

Planning is essential to making the most of your weekend getaway and avoiding disappointment. Before you head out to Antwerp, do your homework to know what you can expect. See what the best places to stay are and what the transport options are. You can research what’s going on in Antwerp. Maybe there are concerts, shows, or festivals coming up that you’d like to attend. It’s a good idea to reserve tickets ahead of time. If you have only 2 or 3 days, you won’t be able to squeeze too many activities into your schedule so celebrating every moment is important.

Having an itinerary ensures that you can manage your time. You won’t end up running from one place to the other. If you can add an extra day to your weekend getaway, focus on sites located near or around your hotel. Make a list of what you’re interested in and save the locations on Google Maps. You must remember that you can’t see all the sights, so it would be best to prioritise your wants. You can use the information found on the Internet, but often a travel agent can help you plan your trip or an organised tour can show you the the best places to see and many can be booked in advance or on the day.

Master The Art of Packing

If you pack too much, you’ll carry a ridiculous amount of luggage for your weekend getaway. If you pack too little, you’ll have to buy things you’ve forgotten. Have a list of the things you need for the trip. Include one or more casual outfits, and opt for fabrics that wrinkle less. If you’re going ballooning or taking a yacht cruise, get an action camera. Sunscreen shouldn’t be missing from your packing list. If you plan to have long days of exploring, bring a portable charger. You can take the power bank everywhere with you.

Have a toiletry bag with personal care products like deodorant, toothpaste, eye drops, and so on. Put back anything that you’ve used when you get back from your adventure. You can use a seven-day pill container to organise jewellery and small items. They can get lost in pockets or fall out of bags. You can use the container for things like earbuds, cufflinks, and so on. Packing cubes will help you separate your clothing. You can organise the contents of your itinerary. If you’re travelling with weather sensitive clothing, use a vacuum-sealed compression bag.

So this is how to plan a weekend in Antwerp. Have you visited this city?

*Collaborative post