Research it online and discuss it with your fellow travelers. Websites are a great place to browse travel photos, journals and videos posted by real people sharing their experiences. For example, before going on a trip to Japan, do a quick search—you’ll get all kinds of stories and advice from people who recently visited Japan. Each trip offers you connected experiences from real people so that you can get a better picture of the place you want to go. [2] X Expert Source Amy TanTravel Planner Expert Interview. 12 March 2020. Keep in mind weather and climatic conditions, merits and demerits of the place, types of recreation (beaches, culture, shopping), and facilities (transport, eating out, etc). What clothes are suitable? How removed from civilization will you be? What does your destination require?
Do you want to go during the off-season or while tourism is booming? The off-season will offer discounts, but it will also mean closed doors and reduced availability. When it comes to weather, do you want to deal with winter or the rainy season? How about when it’s hot and muggy? And then there’s ticket prices – if you’re flying, when is it the cheapest to fly? If you are planning to fly on a long weekend, then you should book the tickets well in advance to get the best deal.
Make a list. Write down the places you want to visit, including restaurants, museums, malls, and other places of interest. This will help give you ideas and prevent being completely lost when you arrive and do not know what to do. Include how you’re going to get around. Does your itinerary involve cab rides? Using the subway? Trekking on foot? If you are taking public transportation, make sure you know how that’s done wherever you’re going.
Companies that help you in the actual “planning” phase of your trip, would be like Gap Travel Adventures, Get A Trip. com, the Automobile Club of Southern California Travels Division (and their counterparts in each of the 50 States), and the American Express Corporation, whereas the giant travel conglomerates, such as Expedia, Travelocity ,Orbitz. com and Priceline (the 4 largest travel vendors in “gross profits” within the United States), aim at the end booking process. The five things you can do to help yourself and your budget (that you don’t need a travel agent for) are the following: 1) Book your flight and hotels at the same time, not separately 2) Be willing to fly mid-week and off-hours 3) Be willing to fly or land at a neighboring airport within 30 miles (48 km) of each other 4) Pay an all-inclusive price when possible, so that meals and gratuities are included, and 5) The actual season you travel – i will differ the rates by 30-40%.
Always add some wiggle room, overestimating rather than underestimating. There are always costs you don’t foresee or things you want to do that you haven’t accounted for. If the trip is more than you are willing to spend, make cuts where you can. If it ultimately means cutting the trip short, so be it.
Ditch that daily sugary latte. If you get a $4 coffee drink three times a week, that’s $12 a week, and about $50 a month. That’s $300 in six months right there. Eat from home more. Restaurants are great, but they’re expensive. If you cook at home, you can save money not only because it’s cheaper, but because you’ll have leftovers that can last you days. Quit the luxuries for a while. That last drink on Saturday night? Pass. A movie next week? Nope. Heck, cable? Who needs it when you have Netflix? Take a look at what little things are fun, but that you could live without.
It is said that you should book airfare around two months out for the best deals – this is that happy place where airlines start discounting their trips to sell tickets, but haven’t yet jacked prices up because they’re last-minute. If you’re going somewhere that speaks a different language, take the time to brush up on the basics. You’ll be glad you did, and the people you interact with will be, too.
And anything else for that matter, too. Many attractions have ticket sales online where you can skip the lines and go right in. Sure, the idea of waiting in line right now doesn’t sound so bad, but for three minutes of work right now you can not waste hours of your vacation standing in a line with strangers wishing past you would’ve had better sense.
Only you know if you are one of these people that changes their mind often, or often does re-scheduling – or if you are one of these people that will fly out in a hurricane, no matter what!
Keep your passport, travel documents, visas, and similar items in a safe pouch. You may want to make copies, too, and keep them in a safe place. It will make it so much easier to replace anything that you lost.
If applicable, put vacation notices on your e-mail, and remember to set your answering machine. Those messages will just have to wait until you get back.
Traveling in a car? Make sure to get lots of foodstuffs, water, and things to do. A CD on tape about a road trip or your specific destination will be great to get you in the mood. Consider “On the Road,” " Lost in My Own Backyard," “A Walk Through the Woods,” or “Washington Schlepped Here,” amongst others. Good music is a must, too.
Stick to basic pieces and a couple pairs of shoes – it’s really all you need in terms of clothes regardless of how long your trip is. A few basic shirts and a few basic pants, shorts, or a skirt will do the job. You can then mix and match as necessary. Roll your clothes when packing. This will save you a ton of room and mean you can buy that authentic-looking tiki torch when the mood strikes.
Don’t be tempted to take work or home problems with you – then all this planning will be for naught, making it feel like you’re still mentally back home. Leave that laptop and your phone off – now is all about exploring and going on an adventure.
