Most people don’t give a lot of thought when it comes to selecting vacations. Sometimes you base it on climate and go skiing or to a beach. Finances may come into play like low budget camping or living it up at a resort. Do you choose urban locations for museums or rural ones for national parks? There are many factors that should go into your final selection on the trips you do take. Don’t be afraid to do something completely out of your comfort zone. You can grow a lot when doing something you have never done before!
Decide On Your Travel Companions
The first major consideration is going solo or with a companion/group. When you go solo it may be more exploratory with less of an itinerary, can be fast paced or a slow travel experience, you have an excellent chance of meeting new people at all of your stops because you are open to it, and of course, at times, can be a bit lonely. The key to all of these is it is up to you and that is exciting! You need to figure out what YOU want out of this trip.
Yes, it’s fun to travel with people but there are factors to consider that you don’t have to when traveling solo. Be sure to check out our guide on solo travel destinations and experiences to find out more. You must be considerate! All plans on the trip need to be discussed and agreeable to all parties involved. Different personalities come into play. Type A? laid back personality? Interested in the same activities? Adventurous or want to know exactly what to expect?
None of this is bad but there will be lots of give and take to please all. How much of the trip do you stay together and when do you do your own thing at times? The one major advantage of a trip like this is the shared experiences that you can reminisce for years to come. It also may be a bonding time to strengthen a friendship or family ties. There will be a lot of thinking about what others want.
Choose A Leisure Or Adventure Travel Experience
So what happens next? You have made the decision on choosing one of these paths. Now the fun planning begins! What will it be? adventure or leisure traveling?
If you truly want adventure you will be exploring many places and sights, most likely getting up early to start your full day, planning an itinerary that stays on schedule, and most important, making sure you have the proper footwear/walking shoes/hiking boots. Think of fun, exciting destinations like Montana outdoor adventure travel. Should you be focused on indoor or outdoor activities? The climate you choose will have a lot to say about that. You may need a vacation from your vacation when all is said and done.
If that path makes you tired just thinking about it, then a slow travel/leisurely trip is your cup of tea. You may do some exploring, spend lots of time at a beach or a lake, see a couple of the sights in the area that sound interesting, catch up on your reading, sleeping and look for good dining. You will surely come back fairly rested and ready to take on the real world again when you get home.
Consider Your Values & Beliefs
Other things to consider. Does your destination align with your values? Is it known for equal rights? Is it a red state or a blue state? How are race relations in the location? Will you see lots of inequities like poverty?
Plan Your Accommodations
Whether you choose solo or group travel, you will have the same factors to consider. Decisions need to be made on the big stuff like flights and accommodations. Those choices can make or break your budget. Hopefully if you are traveling with others, you can take advantage of airline miles and hotel reward points to create a very inexpensive trip. If someone in the group does not align with that, someone is spending a lot more money than others in the group which can get a bit awkward.
Determine Your Vacation Budget
The variables that can affect your budget will be food, drinks, transportation locally, entrance tickets to attractions and entertainment and possibly excursions. Taxi’s and alcohol can really eat away at your trip budget if you are not careful.
The bottom line is that both choices are good after you consider all the factors and what you are looking for in a vacation. Just think about prior to any plan how you envision the days. Do you want to rest during the day with a nap so you can stay out all night? Do you look forward to really good dining or just grab a bite here and there? Are you flexible enough for plans to change and actually factor in dead time for changes in plans? How much sleep do you expect? Does the location have too much to do or not enough to do?
These are all great questions to ask yourself to determine what you end up doing. Make sure your companions answer along the same lines that you will. If they don’t, going solo can never disappoint you!
Check Your Travel Documents
Next, make sure to check your travel documents, and familiarize yourself with the specific requirements before embarking on your next journey. Start off by checking your passport. Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your arrival. Simultaneously, be sure to check if the country you are visiting has an visa entry requirements. If this is the case, you may need to apply for documents at least one year in advance. Furthermore, if you are visiting a high-risk destination in terms of health, you may want to look at any travel documents concerning immunizations. Absolutely, reviewing your travel documents is key to prepare for your next journey.
Pack Strategically
Of course, strategic packing is an essential component of the art of travel planning. Packing for any trip can be a complicated endeavor. At a minimum, you will always want to bring along your passport, wallet, as well as charges for all your electronic devices. If you are traveling internationally, be sure to bring along plug outlet adapters that support your chargers as well. In addition, you should also bring along a travel pillow, insulated water bottle, as well as any medications that you may require. Make sure to start a packing list, and familiarize yourself with your airline’s baggage policy. You do not want to spend any additional money on excess baggage weight fees. That is a big revenue producer for airlines. Don’t contribute towards it. Certainly, strategic packing is critical to prepare for a successful trip.
Write Your Travel Itinerary
At the same time, it will certainly be worthwhile to prepare your travel itinerary beforehand. There are several important strategies for successful itinerary planning. For example, try dividing up the city you are visiting into multiple sections. Then, you can try to start visiting attractions by one neighborhood at a time. In addition, try to create a calendar to leave room for free time to roam. That is where the magic of travel takes place. Most importantly, you need to be realistic. Do not overbook your itinerary in order to avoid feeling stressed or overwhelmed while traveling. Surely, writing your itinerary is a key step for value trip planning.
Contact Your Credit Card Companies
No matter how long you will be traveling for, it is important to contact your credit card companies before you leave home. If your credit card company is not notified beforehand, transactions you make at your destination may be flagged as fraudulent, which can ultimately lead to your card getting blocked. To let your provider know that you will be traveling, simply call your bank or credit card issuer prior to your departure. Inform them of your travel plans, how long you will be gone, and where you will be visiting. In fact, many credit cards even have a mobile applications that allows you to set your upcoming travel plans entirely online. Indeed, contacting your credit companies is essential for effective travel planning.
Understand Protocols For Travel Safety
Additionally, you will want to understand the various protocols for travel safety. While an incredibly fun, exciting experience, there are several inherit risks and dangers when traveling, especially overseas. To protect yourself while vacationing, there are three main categories you must concern yourself with: food, road accidents, as well as crime.
If you are concerned about food safety, be sure to carry an allergic reaction and dietary restriction card. This way, you can still enjoy travel with a food allergy. For more information on ordering cards go to selectwisely.com
In terms of car accidents, it is pivotal to familiarize yourself with the road system of the destination you will be traveling to. In countries within the United Kingdom, for example, you will find that the left is the proper lane to drive on.
Furthermore, staying safe in terms of crime can be a complicated process. Simply, be sure to understand the country you are traveling to, and the potential for incidents related to pickpocketing and burglary. Leave anything valuable you don’t need for the day in the hotel safe deposit box.
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