Are you planning a trip but aren’t sure where to start? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Planning a trip can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. In this blog post, we will outline easy steps that will help you plan the perfect trip. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced traveler, these tips will come in handy. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure today!
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Decide where you want to go
The first step in planning the perfect trip is to decide where you want to go. Do some research and decide on a destination that appeals to you, making this decision is going to set the tone to make the whole process much easier.
Start brainstorming ideas to decide what type of holiday you want.
- what you want to do there.
- Are you interested in sightseeing, hiking, or shopping?
- Are you looking for a relaxing beach vacation? A cultural city break? An adventurous hike?
- Are you wanting to go for a summer or winter getaway?
- Are you traveling on a budget or more luxurious holiday
Once you have an idea of what you want to do, start looking for activities that fit your interests.
When you want to go and for how long
Choose when you want to go and how long. This will depend on your budget and a number of other factors, including;
- Your schedule
- The weather at your chosen destination
- If it is peak tourist season.
If you’re flexible with your dates, you may be able to get better deals on flights and accommodation but before being able to work out the next step, you need to break down exactly how long and when you want to go on your holiday to determine what you will need to be budgeting for.
How much will the vacation cost
How much will you need for your vacation? This will depend on the type of activities that interest you and how many people are going with you or if you are traveling solo, how long you are going for and also comes down to the destination you choose, for example going to somewhere in Europe is going to be more expensive than going to Thailand or Bali for food, accommodation, and activities.
With the following steps come breaking down where you are going, what things you want to see and do, and where you will stay, which will help you work out a rough estimate of how much money you will need to enjoy your holiday without the financial stress.
There are a few ways you can save money on these expenses with a little research. For example.
Skyscanner – you can use a flight search engine to compare prices
Booking.com – To look for accommodation with free cancellation in case your plans change
HostelWorld for people traveling more on a budget or looking to connect with fellow travelers.
Keep in mind additional costs that may be involved when deciding on a location and this may help you in making a decision depending on your budget to where you choose to go. Things like.
Visas – Certain Countries require you to have visas, be sure to check ProjectVisa prior to booking to ensure you have the correct visas.
Generally, there is a cost associated with a visa, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your return date.
Vaccines – to find out if you will require any travel vaccines check out the CDC website, it will tell you the recommended vaccines you need as well as health risks.Â
Research and book flights
Now that you know where you want to go and have an idea of the type of trip you would like to take, it’s time to start looking at flights. There are a few ways that you can go about this depending on your budget and preferences.
You can use a search engine like Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare prices and find the best deals. Another option is to sign up for alerts through Skyscanner or with the airline’s website directly so that you can be notified when there are sales or special offers.
Once you’ve found a flight that works for you, in price, in dates, and in time, it’s time to book! Be sure to double-check all of the details before confirming your reservation.
Research and book Accommodation
Depending on how long you intend to travel for, you may or may not want to book your whole trip, I always book my first night on arrival as it gives me a peace of mind I have somewhere to go after I arrive from a flight, the last thing you want to be doing to searching for accommodation especially if you arrive late at night.
When searching for accommodation, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
- First, consider your budget and what type of accommodation you’re looking for. Are you looking for a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb?
- Second, think about the location. Do you want to be in the heart of the city or a little outside of the hustle and bustle?
- Third, consider what amenities are important to you. Do you need Wi-Fi, a pool, or a fitness center?
Finally, be sure to read reviews before booking. This will help you get an idea of what to expect from your stay, keeping in mind with reviews that there will always be good and bad reviews for everything as people always have differing expectations.
Now that you’ve considered all of these factors, it’s time to start searching for accommodation.
A great way to find deals is to search on websites like Booking.com or Hostelworld. You can also check out Airbnb for unique accommodations.
Once you’ve found a place that you like, don’t forget to read the reviews and check out the photos. Then, go ahead and book your stay!
Research things to do at the destination
Once your flights and accommodation are booked, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to do on your trip. If you’re visiting a new city, research the must-see sights and create a list of activities you want to do. This will help you map out your budget and how to spend your days without missing out on activities.
Check out attractions and activities you want to do and the costs involved, depending on your mode of transport while you are there and getting around, tours may be something of interest but generally cost more.
You can either book in advance online for activities or sometimes depending on the destination, it can be cheaper to book while there or visit the local tourist information center and in their local booklets, they often have coupon vouchers for discounts.
To gather more ideas on what to see and do in your destination
- Check out travel blogs/ Goggle and guidebooks to get ideas for your trip.
- Look at Pinterest for location guides and ideas
- Look at social media for peoples feedback or ideas, and ask family and friends if they have been.
- Create a packing list of everything you’ll need for your trip.
Be CoveredÂ
Before you start packing your bags and planning your itinerary, be sure to purchase travel insurance. This is an important step that many travelers overlook.
Travel insurance will protect you in case of cancellations, lost baggage, medical emergencies, and more. Trust us, you don’t want to be caught without it.
Unforeseen things often happen on holidays, from breaking your camera, losing your phone, needing medical assistance, or simply missing a flight, you do not want to be adding the extra stress of costs needed to help you in a time of need.
I have had a few mishaps on my travels, from breaking my arm snowboarding in Canada, being pick-pocketed in London, to having my bag stolen and my belongings including my camera gone and missing a flight to Ireland without having travel insurance my costs for my holiday would have been huge and let’s be honest, I would have come back or even started my holidays in a bad way and not have enjoyed myself.
Travel insurance saves you from overwhelming stress!
Plan your Itinerary
Along with researching what you can do on your holiday, one of the most important aspects of trip planning is creating a realistic itinerary. This will help you make the most of your time at your destination and avoid feeling overwhelmed or like you’re missing out on activities.
When planning your itinerary, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time for each activity. To make things easier, we recommend using a day-by-day format. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t miss anything.
Start by creating a list of all the activities you want to do. Then, group them by day and start filling in your itinerary, try and group the things together that at located close by, this allows you to see more things than spending more time traveling from one activity to another.
Also, be sure to leave some free time in your itinerary for exploring and spontaneous activities. This is often when we have the most fun and create lasting memories.
Pack your bags for an adventure
One of the best ways to travel is by packing lightly. This will save you money on baggage fees and make it easier to get around. When packing, be sure to only bring items that you will need.
This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to pack too much! A good rule of thumb is to pack clothes that can be mixed and matched. This way, you’ll have more outfit options with fewer items of clothing.
Another way to save space is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. This will help you fit more into your suitcase. Finally, be sure to wear your heaviest items on the plane. This includes shoes, jackets, and any other heavy items.
Now that you have all of the logistical details sorted out, it’s time to start packing! Make a list of everything you will need and pack accordingly to help you with this, check out my what to pack post. Don’t forget to bring your passport, tickets, and other important documents with you. And finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
If you are needing some help and tips to save money for your trip be sure to read my blog post on Tips to save money for your next trip.
Relax and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of your destination. If you’re lucky enough to be traveling with friends or family, make sure you spend some quality time together enjoying each other’s company.
Have you tried any of these methods? What are your favorite tips for planning a great trip? Drop me a comment and let me know!