I understand that the thought of planning a trip on their own can be overwhelming for some people. There seems to be so much to think about and so much to do!
You may be tempted to book an organized trip, but then you must adhere to a schedule that you are not always comfortable with, participate in activities that you are not interested in, and converse with people you do not know but must deal with for the duration of your trip.
It's easier than you think to plan a trip.
My day job requires me to be organized, and I'm here to share the best tips I use to plan my dream vacation.
1. Choose Your Destination
Perhaps you already know where you want to go, or perhaps you need some inspiration. Allow me to assist you.
First, determine why you want to travel.
Do you want to get away from the cold weather?
Do you want to learn about a different culture?
Do you want to expand your knowledge? (That last one is frequently my reason for traveling.)
Perhaps you should pick a destination that is within your budget.
2. Check out the Travel Tips and Warnings.
Once you've decided on a location, go to your government's website to learn about security, entry and exit requirements, health conditions, local laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, and how to get help when you arrive.
Some places, for example, require a tourist visa, which can take several weeks to obtain. You must plan ahead of time.
This is also where you will learn about the vaccinations that are required or recommended.
After that, it is up to you to decide whether or not to travel there. Know that if your government does not recommend visiting a particular location, your travel insurance may not cover you.
3. Purchase Your Flight
And you all want to know how to get cheap flights, right?
The key is to conduct extensive research. The more time you devote to research, the better your chances of finding a good deal, but there is no magic formula.
People used to say that booking last-minute saves money, but I no longer believe this. The only tips that consistently work are to travel off-season and to be flexible with your departure and return dates.
Set an alarm on several booking sites to be notified of price changes. This will help you decide when to book.
Skyscanner is where I always find the cheapest flight.
The quickest way to find cheap flights on Skyscanner is as follows:
Download the Android app or the iOS app.
Look for your departure city in Everywhere. You'll see all of the cheapest flights available worldwide!
Alternatively, select your destination but enter "Whole Month" and then "Cheapest Month" to determine the best time to travel.
The final option is to set an alarm to receive all of the most recent prices.
When booking a flight, always read about the luggage included in the price so you don't get a nasty surprise at the airport.
You should be aware that you can rarely cancel or change a flight unless you pay a fee.
4. Take Good Care of Yourself
I almost never travel without first visiting a travel clinic.
Unless you are traveling to North America or Europe, you should visit a travel clinic prior to departure to obtain your vaccines, a general antibiotic, and an anti-malaria medication (if needed).
Also, make sure you have travel insurance!
I'm aware that some people travel without it. It is never required to have one, but I highly recommend it.
Paying for a hospitalization can be very expensive! Even more than you can possibly imagine! It can cost up to $100,000 USD in the United States!! You do not wish to pay that amount.
I don't want to promote any particular insurance company, so I won't link to any, but do your research and ask if you are covered by your credit card.
If you book your flight with your credit card, you should be covered for a few days.
5. Investigate Your Destination
Now comes my favorite part: planning the itinerary! Yay!
Personally, I decide what to see using a combination of guide books and travel blogs. I particularly like Lonely Planet and Ulysse (in French), but it is entirely up to you.
Read travel guidebooks and conduct searches on travel blogs and Pinterest.
Make a list of all the places you want to visit, even if you know you won't have time to visit them all. Because this is your first draft, you should have a general idea of what activities you want to do and where you want to go.
You can look at Trip Advisor to see what other travelers liked about a particular destination.
When Googling your destination, include "travel blog" in your search. For example, "California Travel Blog," and you'll have a better chance of finding bloggers rather than just tour companies.
Be creative and don't limit yourself at this point. Simply make a list of everything you like and take notes.
6. Choose Your Must-Dos
Choose the "non-negotiable" locations and activities from your list. Choose what excites, fascinates, and motivates you.
Don't always go for the must-see attractions listed in guidebooks. Select YOUR must-sees. You don't have to visit the Statue of Liberty in New York if you don't want to. It is not because a location is the most touristic in a town that YOU must visit it. You can count on it.
Select locations that will make you feel alive.
7. Make an itinerary
Plan your transportation between your "must-see" destinations. How long does it take to travel from one town to another? How long will it take you to complete these activities? How much time do you need to spend in this town to see all of your favorite places?
Understanding public transportation in a foreign country can be difficult, but Rome2Rio and guidebooks can help.
Will you prefer to travel by train, bus, or car?
If you're traveling with friends or family, renting a car gives you more flexibility and can be less expensive than other modes of transportation. To find the best options, use Discover Car Hire. This website compares prices from various suppliers in over 150 countries to help you find the best deal.
It's also time to consider whether your itinerary is feasible.
Don't overplan and leave room for spontaneity or unexpected situations. Return to your list and remove some activities if necessary.
On the other hand, do you have a lot of time? Great! You can go back and add some more activities to your list.
8. Make Your Reservations (or not)
Personally, I like to book my accommodation for the first night of my trip because I don't want to worry about it after a long flight... However, I know a lot of backpackers who find their accommodation once they arrive at their destination. It is entirely up to you.
If you don't want to book your accommodations ahead of time, make sure to check if the town where you're going is hosting a special event.
We almost got into trouble in Portugal last year when we unexpectedly arrived during a major music festival. We had to pay more than our budget for our room because all of the hostels and cheap rooms were full.
Airbnb is always the first place I look. I like meeting locals, feeling at home... and paying less! Use my code to get a bonus discount on your first Airbnb booking.
9. Schedule Your Activities (or not)
You are not required to purchase your tickets in advance, but you may receive a discount if you do. Visiting the website is always a good idea.
Another good idea is to go to the Tourism Board's website and see if they have a city pass that includes the activities you already want to do. It can be an effective way to save money.
Finally, check with the popular attraction to see if you need to book ahead of time to ensure you have a spot. As an example, if you go to San Francisco, consider visiting Alcatraz. You must reserve several weeks in advance!
Get Your Guide is my go-to place for interesting guided tours and skip-the-line tickets. That website contains absolutely everything.
10. Prepare Your Bag
Oh my…. I'm not even sure where to begin with this one! I guess I'll have to dedicate an entire post to it. Ahaha!
General advice could include:
Only three pairs of shoes! - Three pairs of shoes: sandals, casual shoes, and hiking boots. (Of course, this depends on your travel plans...)
You require less than you believe. - Take one kit out of your bag.
Consider the term "Layers." - Even if you travel to a hot country.
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