Experienced travelers can put together a last-minute vacation in their sleep. But throwing together a great trip can be a much more daunting task for first-timers, less-frequent travelers, or those who haven’t traveled for a while.
If you’ve wanted to head out on a much-needed trip and you’re wondering how to plan for it, here’s where you can start.
Pick a Place
Deciding where you want to go is one of the most exciting parts of traveling. Browse guidebooks, Pinterest, Reddit, and Google for inspiration or follow any number of travel bloggers on Instagram. Save yourself some serious money by finding an inexpensive place to fly to. Create a checklist of local and international destinations that excite and interest you.
Figure out How Long You’d Like to Spend Away
When it comes to the duration of your trip, factor in how much vacation time you have and how much of it you’d like to spend on travel. Of course, you’ll never experience everything about a country in one trip, but make a list of the things you just don’t want to miss.
Create a Realistic Budget
Longer trips require elastic budgets. There are lots of ways to figure out just how much to spend, but realistically, find out how much you have to spend & fit your expenses within those limits.
Start Looking up Travel and Ticketing Information
Flight ticket prices are the most volatile, so you should book them first. Also, always try to book directly with the airline instead of third-party websites as they are better equipped to help you should there be a cancellation, missed flight, or delay.
Create an Itinerary
Make a list of all the cities, sights, and activities at your destination that interest you. Cut down your list based on how much time you have and how expensive each activity is.
Book as Early as You Can
This is true for everything from your hotel to activities and any transportation you’ll need during your trip.
Finally, have a detailed arrival plan, ensure all your documents are in order, and most importantly, remember to enjoy yourself thoroughly. Oh, and don’t forget to take a lot of photos. Happy holidays!