Taking a trip is one of the most memorable experiences you can have. That’s great, now we can move on to the hard part! There are a lot of questions that start flooding our minds now: Where would I like to travel? Who will accompany me on this trip? What resources are available for me to learn more about that country?
There is nothing more exciting than taking a vacation or a long trip. It is something we look forward to for months, but planning a trip should be fun, not stressful. It should be fun to prepare for your trip, to build up to the moment when you step onto the plane.
Here are six steps to follow before you embark on your next trip, whether you are traveling on vacation or booking a one-way ticket:
We live on a beautiful planet with nearly 200 countries, all of which offer endless opportunities for exploration. There are many options available, so here are some questions to consider in order to narrow down your choice:
Are you looking for a vacation that is packed with adventure? What would it be like to summit a mountain or paraglide over a valley?
What if you were to spend your time lounging on beaches with white sand and warm waves lapping at your feet?
Knowing what type of trip you would like is important!
Choosing where to visit can be greatly influenced by the weather.
In most of Southeast Asia, the rainy season runs from May/June to late September/October. You may still be able to visit during these months, but heavy rainfall and high humidity may disrupt your plans.
It is best to visit a country in the shoulder seasons or when the weather is at its best in order to fully enjoy your vacation.
The best time to visit a country is during its shoulder months when there are fewer tourists and lower prices.
It is important to consider the duration of your trip when determining whether you should visit a place close to home or a country that is more distant. What do you think about flying to the other side of the world and spending half of your trip jet-lagged if you only have a week to spare?
Having a clear understanding of how long your trip will last will help you plan your itinerary, what you intend to do, and whether you require a visa.
In order to enter a foreign country, you should research what the entry requirements are. Organizing some things may take some time, so it is important to do this in advance.
You can find information on entry and exit requirements as well as security and vaccinations on both your own government’s website as well as the country’s website.
Does that country require a visa for entry? Do you have the option of applying for a visa online or in person? Is it necessary to receive certain vaccinations before entering that country? All of these questions should be answered prior to making any travel arrangements.
It’s time for the real fun to begin! Planning and researching your trip gives you a glimpse of what you will experience.
It is possible to find a great deal of information online. The amount of information is almost overwhelming! Videos can be viewed on YouTube, blogs can be read, Instagram can be searched, and guides can be purchased.
Identify resources that are similar to your travel style and interests. Follow the advice of someone else who is traveling solo if you are a solo traveler. Also, there are plenty of resources for families going on vacation.
After getting a feel for a country, I like to plan a loose itinerary. To plan my route around the country, I use Google Maps to make sure that I visit all of the important destinations.
Consider the duration of your trip when making this decision. Make sure you do not pack too much in, otherwise you will be on the road constantly and tired all the time.
It is important to know your budget before proceeding with this step. Accommodation and transportation options are available to meet the needs of all travelers. It is simply a matter of knowing what to look for.
Hostels are a great option if you are traveling alone or on a budget. These accommodations are budget-friendly and provide an excellent opportunity to meet other travelers. Find hostels that offer free breakfast and activities in order to save even more money.
The world is your oyster if you are traveling with a partner or in a group and have a bit more money to spend. Are you interested in staying in an eco-lodge surrounded by nothing but jungle? Are you more interested in a villa on the beach?
The best tip is to choose one booking site for accommodation and stick with it! It is common for booking sites to reward loyalty, and you may soon be receiving 10-20% off your stay, or even a free night, if you are a frequent user.
Explore the world’s most affordable vacation ideas
Learning new skills, making lifelong friends, and receiving free housing are all benefits of volunteering.
In exchange for a few hours of volunteer work per day, many hostels, private properties, farms, and other places offer free accommodation and other benefits. This is a great way to save money! Here is a link to Worldpackers’ website where you can find volunteer opportunities.
The Woodpeckers have volunteered in over 140 countries, so chances are good that there will be an opportunity where you are going.
Despite not recommending booking transportation before you travel, you should have an idea of how long it takes to travel between each location and how much it costs. You may wish to change your route based on this information. It may be unreasonable to sit on a bus for 12 hours if you are only visiting that country for a short period of time.
It can be very helpful to research and book your transportation using websites such as Gecko Routes.
Take your research a step further now. Once you have selected your destinations, take a look at the top things to do in each one. What is on your bucket list that you would like to accomplish? By understanding what you can do in each of the places, you will be able to determine how long you will need to stay there.
It is recommended that you do not book any activities in advance unless you are certain that they are likely to be fully booked. When you book when you arrive, it is usually much more affordable and allows you to remain flexible with your travel plans.
The majority of tourist destinations have tour agencies that sell tickets to popular attractions and tours. Unlike booking online, you can haggle with these agencies and obtain a much better price.
Taking part in volunteer work and staying in a country for a considerable period of time will enable you to become more familiar with the culture of that country. The experience will be completely different in this way.
A variety of activities are available to you, including permaculture, construction, hospitality, teaching, and caring for animals.
Don’t plan too much, even though it may seem contradictory to everything I have said above.
The two things you should be looking for when traveling are spontaneity and flexibility. If you are able to modify your plans within a few seconds, you may be able to take advantage of experiences and opportunities that you had not even considered.
You may have met some wonderful people and wish to continue traveling with them. It is possible that you missed out on an exciting activity during your research that you would now like to participate in.
When you conduct research prior to your trip, you will be able to save time when you travel. Due to the fact that you already possess the necessary information, you are able to book accommodations, transportation, and activities quickly and on the spot. Rather than wasting time, you can spend more time having fun!
Having followed these six steps to planning your trip, you are now ready to start counting down the days and packing your bags. If you are preparing for a trip, you may find this minimalist packing list helpful.
