You’re itching to travel, but you’re not quite sure where to go. Maybe you’re searching for a destination that will allow you to experience culture, or maybe you just want to lounge on a beach. No matter what your ideal vacation looks like, here are some tried and true ways to ensure you pick the perfect spot.
Make a Plan
The first thing you should do when planning a vacation is make a list of all the places you want to go. If you want to take it a step further, you can create a list with categories such as ‘summer destinations, ‘winter destinations’, ‘travel abroad’, ‘U.S. destinations’, etc. Once you have this information written down, start thinking about what you want out of your vacation. Do you want to immerse yourself in sight seeing and culture? Do you want to lay by the pool or beach? Do you want to hike/snorkel? Do you want to ski? Also, consider the other factors of your trip. For example, are you traveling with a group? Are you bringing your kids? Once you’ve narrowed down your ideal vacation characteristics, decide how many days you have for your trip. Lastly, set a budget. This information will help you plan something that will seamlessly meet all your needs.
Research, Research, Research
Once you’ve selected your ideal destination (or narrowed it down to two), you’ll need to do some research. The beauty of the internet is that you have access to a large volume of information about everything. When researching a potential vacation spot, use this wealth of knowledge to your advantage. Websites like TripAdvisor offer millions of reviews on restaurants, hotels, excursions, etc. both domestically and internationally. Additionally, ask you friends/family and community for recommendations as well. Stay open minded. If you want to travel somewhere, make a list of their three largest cities. There may be a place (other than the capital city) that checks off every requirement you have. There’s also a chance traveling to a slightly less popular city will be cheaper too. Think outside the box and gather as much information as you can. Weigh all your options so you can find the perfect location.
Make a Plan
The next step to finding the perfect travel destination is planning out your potential activities. An article written for selectregistry.com states, “Make a list of what you want to do while you’re on vacation, and make a loose schedule of what days you want to do them. It doesn’t have to be regimented, just a general idea of what you want to experience and when.” This will ensure you have time to experience everything that’s important to you.
The last thing you want is to come from a vacation,, needing another vacation. Take the time to find the perfect spot. When you put a lot of thought into it, you’ll be able to plan a trip that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.