So you have some time off, or maybe you just got your taxes back, and you'd like to start thinking about taking a vacation. The idea of having to pick one place can be really overwhelming. So where do you start?
GET INSPIRED
Spend a day at the bookstore looking at travel magazines
Turn on one of the travel channels or watch travel documentaries
Follow travel bloggers, photographers, and writers on social media
Ask your friends and family to share travel stories
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS
Are you looking for adventure, relaxation, or both?
Do you plan on staying in the country or taking an international trip?
What kinds of things do you want to experience?
How long do you want to travel?
Do you have an ideal time of year?
What is the perfect weather?
How would you prefer to get there?
What is your budget?
MAKE THE SHORTLIST
After asking myself these questions, I begin making a short list of places I'd like to visit. With so much of the world left to see, I'm always on the lookout for new destinations. Here are some of the things I typically look for when deciding where to go next. As you look at these things, ask yourself what do you want.
I want a contrast to my everyday life in the city. Somewhere that makes me feel like I've stepped into a different world. Maybe it's the forest, the architecture, the language, the food or the culture.
Someplace that can be a mixture of outdoor adventure, yet relaxing. I get bored quickly and can't just sit on the beach for a week without feeling like I'm missing out on exploring surrounding areas. I like to pick places that have the option to do both.
Somewhere I'm unfamiliar with but interested in knowing more. For me, there isn't a whole lot of excitement going to the same place every year and doing the same thing.
Once I have a short list of places or one particular place in mind, I begin my research to see if things are practical for my budget, schedule, and safety.
RESEARCH. USING MY THREE MAIN RESOURCES
PINTEREST - Quickly searching for the future or booked destinations on Pinterest allows me to see visually what the places look like as well as give me an idea of things to do, get advice from other travelers. Here I can quickly save information for later without spending too much time. It's like digitally brainstorming in a visual, efficient way.
I make folders for each place I'm considering, and when finished, I see which place looks the most interesting. As I start to plan the logistics, I go back to Pinterest and look into things more in-depth
TRIP ADVISOR - For me, this is like calling my Mom and asking for her honest advice. All the photos usually look beautiful on Pinterest but on Trip Advisor, they are usually the candid shots taken by the average person, AND they have honest reviews written by travelers from all over the world. I look into hotels, restaurants, attractions, things to do, etc. to really get a feel for the place. It helps give me a realistic idea of what to expect, and I think that's important. If you only look at the beautiful photos and well-written blog posts, you may be more likely to be disappointed while traveling. Other travelers take the time to share advice about times to visit, directions, and I can't tell you how much trouble reading reviews have saved me. Take the time and know what you're getting yourself into.
INSTAGRAM - I use the app by clicking on the 'Places' tab or using "tags" to search for destinations. Looking at photos helps me get a better sense of things to do, weather, packing, and general current vibes of a place. I also follow other travel bloggers, writers, and photographers to be inspired by on a daily basis.
MAKING A ROUGH ITINERARY
I'm not saying you have to be Polly Planner, but having a rough plan will help you figure the booking and logistics in the next step. It also helps you see the big picture and helps you keep your budget on track. Before you book anything, take the time to sit down with the calendar and figure how much time you will need OR work backward from the time you have. Don't make the mistake of trying to fit in too much. Just create a general timeline and briefly look into flights or booking prices if your schedule is flexible. Here is a quick example.
Flight to Italy November 1 - Arrive 8AM
Places to visit - estimated # of days
Milan - 2 days
List Attractions & activities
Transportation- Mode & how much time?
Venice - 2 days
List Attractions & activities
Transportation- Mode & how much time
Rome - 2 days
List Attractions & activities
Transportation- Mode & how much time
Flight home November 6 - Depart 6PM
For most of my trips, I like to give myself a couple of weeks to casually do research, talk to friends, read up on the area before I start booking things. I usually start with the flights and bigger expenses. To both confirm them and also not spend so much at one time. If I'm traveling to multiple places, I like to hold off on accommodations until I know for sure how much time I'd like at each place. It's important to quickly look into everything to get ideas for the best times to book and what things can wait until your trip gets a little closer.
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NOW IT'S YOUR TURN...
Let yourself dream for a second. If you could be anywhere, see anything, where would you go? xx ASH
