Weekend vacations kept me going when I was working full-time office jobs. I hated knowing that I only had 14 days of vacation time.  Even when I had days built up, sometimes I just couldn't afford to take more than a couple of days at a time.  

3 and 4 day can feel like a challenge sometimes.  I've had my share of holidays that felt like they were more trouble than they were worth by the time I got home.  One of the most important things to do for any weekend vacation is to make sure that the amount of time that you spend getting to and from your destination is kept at a minimum.  There's no point in flying half-way around the world just to turn around and come back. (Well, with one exception!)

If you live near a major port, you should think about going for a 4 day cruise on your weekend vacation!  Weekend cruises are packed with the amenities that you will find on a longer cruise.  These cruises can be great deals (some as low as $199), and when you think about what you would pay for food, lodging and entertainment on a weekend holiday, you come out way ahead!

Depending on where you live, you could easily go to the Bahamas, Mexico or Caribbean from the United States.  If you're in Europe, Barcelona has a bunch of offerings for you to check out.

Want something more intimate? Why not charter a boat with some friends, or just that special someone.  Boats come as stocked (with captain, crew, food and drink so you can do nothing but enjoy the scenery) or bare (just you and your guests b-y-o-everything—make sure you know what you're doing!)

If you prefer to stay on land for your weekend vacations, there are still plenty of trips to look into.  Because weekend vacations are so limited by the time available I'm going to focus more on helping you think of ways to come up with your own weekend vacation ideas.  University and College towns, along with local festivals are great places to look for things to do.  Of course, I'll share with you some really great trips that I've taken.

Short trips are also a great opportunity for a last-minute vacation.  Airplanes, hotels and cruises all would rather get some money instead of no money for an empty seat or room.  I'll help you find these deals.  If you can be flexible and hold out for some really amazing offers, you may find that you can get away London, Prague, or Bangkok for less that you would have paid to drive across state.  With incredible bargains like that, it might be worth it to spend 16 out of 48 hours on an an airplane.  What will your co-workers say when you tell them you just flew out to London for the weekend to see a show?

Hit the Oceans!

Cruises

• Bahamas - with boats departing from Boston, Miami, New York and Florida you're sure to find a luxurious weekend vacation for any budget
• Mexico - ¡Sí! Go the spring break route and tour around Cancun, or for a different side of Mexico, depart from LA and explore Mexico's Pacific coast
• The Caribbean - Jamaica, Puerto Rico, British and American Virgin Islands.  Sun, Sand, amazing reggae and merengue—you might not be willing to come back.
• Barcelona - This is possibly my favorite city in the world.  Be sure to check out all the Barcelona suggestions that I have up here.  A short cruise would fit beautifully into a longer European vacation.

Private Boats

• Virgin Gorda and the British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda is full of small grottoes and ocean caves, one of them is rumored to be the fountain of youth!
• Croatia and the Istrian coast - I wish I had the words to explain my love of Croatia and the beauty that this balkan country posesses.  In the meantime, i'll just have to visit again and again until I can put my finger on it.

Stay on Land!

Visit a local university or college town for your weekend vacation.  Even if you haven't been a student for a long time, schools are great place to go for concerts, art exhibits, cheap & tasty eats and unique experiences.  

• Did you know that the University of Chicago is the birthplace of Improv comedy as we know it? See their student improvisational comedy troupe in action!
• Ithaca, New York is a great place for a pit-stop on a 3-day roadtrip.

There is an abundance of regional festivals.  Not so big that they drive up the price of every hotel in the area, but with so much unique flavor that you'll have memories to hold on to for years to come.  

• Ramps? Not like on a highway.  These wild onions have been a celebrated part of Tennessee history at the Cosby Ramp Festival for over 55 years.  Learn how to eat them, buy Appalachian crafts and take in some of the best Country, Gospel and Bluegrass music you'll hear.

Get Going and Fast!

Some of the best last-minute weekend vacations that I have managed to take.  Not only will I tell you about what I did but how I got the deals, too!

• An evening in Prague.  On my way back from a week in Ennis, Ireland (I was studying my other passion, Irish fiddle) I decided to spend the afternoon and eveing in Prague.  I fell in love with Wenceslaus Sq, and Charles's Bridge and almost got arrested (though with the fun that I was having, missing my flight might have been ok)