Summer travel.

It's that time again. Temperatures are rising and the smells of sweet jasmine are in the air. The kids will soon be out of school, and finding adventures that keep everyone engaged and active — and the senses flourishing — is living.

I used to find reasons why getting away would not work — the expense, taking time away from everyday obligations, finding a destination that works for everyone, and so on. I realized it is more important to prioritize your health and well-being, and to find ways to revitalize when pressures and stress become too much. Although summer pricing at resorts, getaways, and destinations can stretch your budget, if you spend time looking for deals it is well worth the investment. If you are willing to research and take the risk, you may be surprised how affordable it can be. You may say spontaneity makes for the best experiences, which can be true — but in the end you may regret spending more than you wanted.

Years ago, you had to either experience a destination first hand or check out a book. Now there are so many apps, travel shows, blogs, and YouTube travel channels that showcase adventures near and far. You just have to be steadfast in your search.

The planning is the fun part

I have found that early planning and monthly vacation reserves take out the stress. Once a destination is decided and an estimate of the cost per person is considered, you can start saving six months — even a year — in advance. Calculating how much to set aside per month, and having your trip paid before you go, can be so liberating. When one makes a big investment — buying a car, or even a down payment on a house — it takes forethought and planning. Saving for a vacation should be no different. I feel that creating memories and enjoying time spent with your family far exceeds anything I could buy.

One way to plan is to create a travel board. I started to collect travel books, subscribe to travel sites I am interested in visiting, and read articles on places around the world to get a feel for somewhere I wanted to go. Whether you want to travel in a populated place or somewhere off the beaten path, doing your research is worth your time.

Be your own guide

My best advice: avoid the ratings. Be your best guide. Let your intuition guide you. I don't want someone on the world wide web determining whether a destination is worth it. You are your best judge of what your likes and interests are. Whether you don't mind sharing a space with many other travelers, or your idea of a perfect getaway involves family-run accommodations and local eateries, most places have websites and information.

I encourage you to join travel groups. The people who know the most about travel are traveling, and they have found ways to make their experiences bespoke and budget-friendly. I am also obsessed with travel books — so many adventures I have never heard of are listed in them, and places that just cannot be found online. Those gems are in books.

Finally, summer travel doesn't have to be fussy. Let the experience guide your trip. More recently, I took a short trip to Seattle and crammed in as much as possible. Knowing it would be impossible to explore everything in the city, I just vowed to take another trip in the future to do the things I couldn't. It felt so much more enjoyable letting go and living in the moment of what I could do in a short amount of time — almost a personal challenge, if you will. Planning the trip around the must-do's, and taking mental notes of what I wanted to do next time.

I look forward to going back, maybe even in a different season, to experience more. Whether your trip is short or long, creating time with the people who mean the most far exceeds any possession. Enjoy your time and protect your memories.

Slow down, and let the journey begin.