MANILA, Philippines – First, a disclaimer. I wouldn’t call myself an expert traveler, someone who goes out of town for a living in order to write about the beautiful places a majority of people have yet to see. 

But I do have a job that requires an expert use of limited leaves. I do have 6 years of experience as a mountaineer. And I do have an insatiable lust (yes, I just used that word) for travel.

All these conditions have pushed me into the raw, bloody and explosive world of weekend wars. I define “weekend war” as nothing short of a military campaign against boring weekends. It is a battle waged under the banner of carpe diem – to seize the day. 

In a society where young and young-at-heart individuals keep jobs that allow a set number of paid leaves, being able to travel without sacrificing a single leave is a valued skill.

The weekend warrior is particularly adept at this. But being a weekend warrior is not for everyone. 

There are those who are happy enough to spend their precious weekends at home. I am not a stranger to the joys of The Soprano marathons and trying out the new restaurant across the block. 

But every once and a while (more every than once), the promise of a weekend takes me across the borders of my comfort zone.

Are you ready to fight for your weekends?

Will you join the war?

Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Be a master light-packer

In the weekend wars, less is more. In order to make the most of your destination in the span of two days, mobility is crucial. You do not want to be dragging wheeled luggage as you rush from the town’s best lumpia shop to it’s hidden waterfall. Best to go with a small backpack complete with waterproofing. (READ: Don’t check it in: How to pack less than 7 kilos for your trip)

Clothes typically take up the most space in a bag. My formula is simple. Use what you’re already wearing for the first day. Pack sleeping clothes that can double as your clothes for tomorrow (mumu pants or fisherman pants from Thailand are recommended since they are light and airy as pajama pants but not embarrassing to wear in public). Bring an extra shirt for emergencies. 

Invest in a set of travel must-haves that are smaller and more portable than the usual. Get a small toothbrush, small toothpaste, mini flashlight or headlamp. I know someone who brings a tiny expresso-maker everywhere he goes.

2. Stalk travel blogs 

The blessed people who maintain travel blogs and can thus call themselves “professional travelers” are your friends. They usually have tons of great advice for alternative ways to travel, different routes, obscure but wonderful places and quick getaways. 

I personally gorge on everything Rappler writer Rhea Claire Madarang writes.

3. Find a way to get those dang promo flights

Part of being a weekend warrior is traveling for cheaper. If you can save a leave, why not save your money, too?

Each warrior has his own strategy. They avail of credit cards that give them first notice on promo flights. They have friends who work in airlines. They make an airline website their web browser’s homepage. 

You must come up with your own plan of action.

4. Get ready to travel at night 

Yes, parents usually say it’s not safe to ride the bus at night. But let’s face it, buses meet accidents in the Philippines at any (or every) time of day. It’s simply illogical to make this an obstacle to an amazing weekend. It’s the buses that should shape up, instead of you cutting down on travel opportunities. 

That said, make sure you board legitimate buses with good track records. Patronizing bus lines that have led to the deaths of fellow weekend warriors is simply unpatriotic. 

Traveling by night is the best way you can have an entire weekend in your destination. You arrive in the morning ready to seize the days. 

5. Be healthy and fit

Would you allow an ailing soldier to go to battle? Making the most of a destination in the span of 48 hours can take its toll on the body. 

Unlike week-long vacations, you do not have the luxury of time. Unless of course, your weekend vacation consists of lounging around a beautiful beach until the sun goes down which is completely fine. But if your itinerary is jam-packed because there are just too many things to see in one place, you should make sure your body is ready for the strain. (READ: 7 Pilates exercises you can try at home)

A week before your trip, shape up and exercise. The night before you leave, try not to indulge in a night-long drinking session. It’s quite tempting and some would say part of the “weekend warrior mentality” to drink up every second of life. Besides, you can always sleep on the bus right? 

But in my experience, drinking tires your body and leaves you nursing a hang-over in the morning. These pressures lower your body’s immunity which is already bound to take a beating from the weekend war ahead.

6. Craft a balanced itinerary 

Because you have only two days in your exotic destination, you’ll want to see as much as can be seen and experience as much as can be experienced. Thus, it helps to find out beforehand about the best things to do there (remember your travel blogger friends?). Before stepping on the bus or plane, have an itinerary ready.

You should have a clear idea of where you want to go, how you will get there and how much you will spend (but always have emergency cash). Avoid headaches like a trip to a nearby island getting cancelled because the port you assumed would be there actually does not exist.

If you are traveling during peak season, book your hotel room in advance. If you’re climbing a mountain, try contacting a local guide beforehand to check if the mountain is even still open. In one instance, my friends went all the way to the jump-off point only to find out they needed a letter from the mayor to climb. 

At the same time, don’t make your itinerary so exact that it leaves no space for the unexpected. Leave some details to fate. You can put in your itinerary that you will try the town’s local delicacy without specifying a restaurant. But the moment you touch down, you ask a tricycle driver for his recommendation.

Leave time in your schedule to do “whatever else is awesome to do here.”  

7. Indulge in sports or hobbies that are a journey in themselves 

Some people are harassed by the pressure of rushing from one itinerary item to another. They want a simpler and more focused itinerary that is nonetheless fulfilling. You can achieve this by getting into sports or hobbies that require you to travel. Some examples are mountaineering, biking, rock-climbing, surfing and diving. (READ: Embrace the challenge! The basic guide to your first ever climb)

These activities allow you to go out of town with one thing in mind: to scale that highest peak or rule that crazy wave. You get a singleminded itinerary that still allows you to explore the location, whether to find the best mango shake in between dives or pass by a weaving village during a Kalinga biking tour.

The past-time doesn’t have to be athletic. Being a dedicated food-tripper will take you restaurant-hopping. A history buff? Visit all the heritage sites in the area.

8. Go someplace where you know someone

This is another trip to simplify travel, something helpful if you’re only there for two days. Knowing a local solves many logistical complications.  

They know all the places to see and even insider information on the not-so-tourist-y sites. They can help you get around, whether by escorting you themselves or teaching you about the place’s transportation system. 

Depending on how close you are, they can also provide your accommodation for the night. Plus, you get to bond with a friend! 

9. Go for tour packages 

Those who espouse the difference between “traveler” and “tourist” may scoff at this suggestion. But I’ve found that many tour groups out there really know their stuff and have something to offer.

Just because packaged deals show you the “usual stuff to see” doesn’t mean your weekend is spoiled. Chances are, these places are must-sees for a reason. Besides, you can always come back to discover the more off-kilter places later, perhaps even with a local friend (see previous tip).

10. Choose your fellow weekend warriors wisely

We travel with friends in order to share unforgettable moments and have funny, embarrassing anecdotes to share with our other friends when we get back home. But not all friends make great weekend warriors. 

Some are quick to complain about cramped bus seats or yucky public toilets. Some simply can’t keep up with the full itinerary. 

The best weekend warriors are game for anything, always ready to move and optimistic in the face of adversity (i.e. an unintended 24-hour bus ride).

– Rappler.com

Woman with backpack traveling image from Shutterstock