Summer is fast approaching, and that means it’s time to start thinking about your summer holiday plans. Not surprisingly, June through August is a high travel season in the United States. It’s also a popular time for travelers across much of the Northern Hemisphere. That means it’s a good idea to lock in those reservations and request that paid time off soon.
If you’re looking for a European vacation which is a little outside the box, consider the southeast English region of Sussex. Tourists go there to experience quaint country living that also provides easy coastal access. If that sounds appealing, here are three things you need when departing on a holiday to Sussex.
Cottage reservations
A Sussex holiday cottage is a superior experience to getting a hotel. There’s nothing wrong with hotels, per se, but Sussex holiday cottages provide an extra bit of both charm and privacy. These cottages have names like Buttercup, Honeysuckle Cottage, Owl Cottage, etc. In case you can’t tell by their names, most of these places aren’t exactly palatial, but that’s a big part of the fun.
A holiday in Sussex is ideal for any kind of couple. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been together two years or forty years; you’ll still enjoy spending quality time with your sweetheart in a one-bedroom home with a garden. If gardening isn’t quite your thing, maybe you’d like a home with quick access to South Downs National Park. It’s the newest national park in England, as it’s been fully operational for less than a decade.
Don’t forget the walking trails, either. Sure, you may not go on vacation planning to do a lot of exercise, but the sights along Sussex walking trails are so scenic that it won’t feel like a workout. When you’re in a place like Sussex, you’re all but obligated to view as much of the natural beauty around you as possible.
A current passport
You’re not going to get very far on your trip to Sussex without a current passport. If you think that every American already has a passport ready to go, then think again. As of 2013, the US State Department reported that only 36 percent of Americans possessed a valid passport.
There are a few reasons for that, including the famously American tendency of employers not giving their employees a lot of vacation time. Even when Americans do travel, they’re often still expected to check their email periodically and respond to questions from their boss.
Travel can also be quite expensive. When you consider that Americans are spending more and more of their money on things like housing, it makes sense that a trip to Europe or South America isn’t going to be on the top of their list.
Of course, there’s also the Brexit wild card. As of this writing, no one seems to know what’s going to happen with Brexit, including how, when, or even if the UK will depart from the European Union. Keep an eye on the news, but for now, don’t worry too much. Make sure you meet the requirements that already exist. In Britain, that means you need at least one blank passport page.
An open mind
Remember that you’re visiting another country, and that means you’re expected to adjust to local customs. You shouldn’t expect locals to act American, because, well, you’re no longer in America. That’s the whole point of a vacation in Sussex.
An open mind is about more than just cultural awareness, too. It’s also about opening up your mind enough to relax and stop worrying about whatever awaits you back in the States. If you’re starting a bathroom remodeling project when you get back, that’s great. But it’s no reason to let the bathroom remodeling occupy all your mental energy on vacation.
A vacation is a pause from the “real” world. So make sure you take full advantage of it.
