Back to school + back to business = time for a solo vacation

Whether you’re a mom or not, back-to-school time effects everyone. Many of us feel the end of summer dread – the need to get organized and restocked and the excitement of shopping for a new seasonal wardrobe (or at least new school shoes).

The corporate world runs parallel with a distinct back-to-business attitude. The phones start ringing more regularly and clients want to move projects forward with a sense of urgency that seems driven by the shorter daylight hours and the countdown to Christmas.

For me, this is the perfect time to go on vacation.

Considering a solo vacation

Mid- to late-September offers a multitude of advantages. It precedes the holiday rush at work and at home. Prices tend to be lower and destinations seem to be less crowded. I feel like an adventurous woman traveling solo among other adults instead of a self-conscious outsider hiding behind families celebrating (or suffering) their togetherness.

With a free round-trip ticket on JetBlue at my disposal, I excitedly looked at all the solo travel possibilities, but with some guidelines in mind:

• Maximum of three days off from work (save a few days for a break during the holiday rush)
• Direct flight only (avoid wasting precious time off with layovers and connections)
• Carry-on luggage only (leave the golf clubs at home)
• No rental car needed (find things to do within walking distance)
• Go somewhere I’ve never been before and get as far away from Massachusetts as possible (get the most “mileage” out of the free ticket)

Solo travel to Austin or New Orleans?

The JetBlue website makes it easy to plan a trip, counting as one of the many reasons I regard them as my preferred airline. My options from Boston included a variety of potential peregrinations: spanning Seattle to San Juan, Burbank to Barbados, and even Houston to Hamilton (Bermuda). I eliminated the West Coast as I’ve traveled there quite a bit. Hurricane season ruled out destinations in the Caribbean, and anything on the East Coast seemed too close. So, the middle of the country offered a few options and the finalists became apparent: New Orleans and Austin.

Both are known for great music scenes and regional cuisine. Both are passionate football towns with the University of Texas Longhorns excitement in Austin and the Super Bowl-winning Saints in New Orleans. Though I’ve been to Texas (to Dallas overnight for business) and I’ve never been to Louisiana, I considered both unexplored territory. Weather averages (90s) and the probability of rain were similar, though September precedes Austin’s rainiest month and New Orleans’ least rainy month. (Thanks to The Weather Channel for the information.) The events’ calendars for each city revealed plenty of activities.

So, where am I going? Austin! It’s just that much further away.

Been to or live in Austin? Leave Maria a comment with any recommendations!

Maria Guerra is the Senior Vice President of Mom Central Consulting, “mom” to her dog, Farley, and proud aunt of Alex and Thomas—who will all get something special from her trip to Austin.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.