If you are ready to make your next vacation a reality, you must first investigate all of the components that must be put together. During this process, many factors and decisions are made. This section can assist you in psychologically unblocking if you’re stuck on what to do next.
The most important thing to determine is where you want to go. Do you want to go surfing, sunbathing, or skiing and have a good time? Perhaps you want to go on an exotic safari or spend time with distant relatives. Discuss your plans with anyone who will be traveling with you. Make a list of all the ideas that come to mind over a week. Then, on a weekend afternoon, begin going through the list. You should be able to eliminate half of the options. Comparing the remaining ones will reveal the winner.
Decide when you’re going after you’ve decided where you’re going. If it’s somewhere you’ve never been before, do some research online. Learn when the busiest tourist seasons are to avoid them for fewer crowds and lower prices. Alternatively, be aware of the cold, wet, and even monsoon seasons so that you do not spend the entire day indoors unless that is ideal for you.
Begin looking for airline tickets as soon as you know when you want to travel. This is typically the first step in creating the physical bookends for your trip and blocking out the time on your calendar and in your mind. Purchasing tickets early usually results in the cheapest tickets and the flight time and seats of your choice. Also, look into airports in cities other than your own for different carriers or possibly more competition for lower fares if the airport is not a hub. A few hours on a bus to another airport can sometimes save you hundreds or thousands of dollars on your airfare.
Once your flights are booked, seek overnight lodgings. Spend as many nights as possible in one place. This saves you packing and checking in and out every day. It should also keep you awake on the journey. Always look for facilities with extras like swimming, breakfast, workout rooms, and restaurants. Some nights will be spent in your hotel room.
Fill your days with color. Locate places on the map that you want to visit and identify any activities that appear to be enjoyable. Ideally, it would be best to have twice as many options as you will have time for. Some things will be closed, overcrowded, more expensive than anticipated, or rained out. Allow yourself some wiggle room. Furthermore, the personal advice of locals can make or break a last-minute decision on what is worthwhile to do.
Once you’ve completed all of this, make sure your budget is in order, you have time off, and someone is looking after your house. Pack your belongings and have a good time!