Vacations are awesome. They’re also fleeting—a matter of days, hours, or even minutes before you have to return to your regular life and responsibilities. But it’s important to make the most of your time off, so here are ten ways to get the most out of your next vacation.

Set Some Ground Rules

Set a budget for your trip. Figure out how much you can spend on your vacation, and stick to it. Create a list of places you want to visit while you’re away. This will help you narrow down your choices and keep you from spending too much time deciding where to go. Set clear goals for your next vacation.

Do Some Research

Glacier tours are a great way to take in all that nature has to offer. Glacier National Park is one of the most popular destinations for this type of activity, providing visitors with an up-close-and-personal experience with glaciers and other natural wonders. Glacier tours are offered year round, but if you want to see a glacier in its full glory, plan your trip between May and September when they tend to be at their thickest. When choosing which tour is right for you, consider your physical fitness level as well as whether or not you have children. For those who have always dreamed of seeing glaciers, but have never had the opportunity, these tours will surely not disappoint.

Create a Packing List

Packing for a vacation is tough. Figuring out what to bring, how much space everything will take up and remembering what you need before you leave can be difficult.

Stay Connected

Before you leave, make sure your phone is charged and that you have a fully-charged laptop or tablet. Download movies and TV shows from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or other streaming services so you’ll have something to watch when you get bored.

Keep a Journal

To get the most out of your next vacation, keep a journal. Record what you did each day and how you felt about it. When you look back on this journal after your trip is over, you will remember all the great times and moments with more clarity than before.

Take Lots of Pictures

It’s always a good idea to take lots of pictures on vacation. You’ll want to share your experiences with friends and family when you get home and they will enjoy seeing where you went and what you did.

Enjoy the Local Cuisine

One way to get the most out of your vacation is by exploring and trying new things. One thing you could do is try a new cuisine while you’re there. By eating what the locals eat, you’ll be able to experience something new.

Do Some Souvenir Shopping

One way to make the most out of your next vacation is by souvenir shopping.

Relax and Unwind

One way to make your next vacation more memorable is by disconnecting from technology. Turn off your phone and enjoy time with family or friends. It’s also important not to over-schedule your next getaway.