Decision is made! You are going on vacation. You want to relax, admire art and architecture, sightseeing, experience other cultures, taste some great food, and your list goes on.
If you are a first- time traveler, it is a big decision to make as you want to pick a destination that checks all the boxes, right? If you are a frequent traveler, you are debating whether to go back to one of those memorable places you said to yourself while you were there before that you will go back or, you feel the need to go a different destination, one you have never seen before.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. There are many elements to consider when planning a trip. For me, it starts with purpose and inspiration. What do I want to see and do. Then I move on to consider other factors such as length of time, weather, budget and my number one pet peeve, crowds.
Inspiration and purpose are big influencing and determining factors when choosing a destination.
We all have bucket lists, dream destinations, places we must see, and they all stem from being inspired on something we have seen somewhere or heard about. Just watch Emily in Paris and next thing you are dreaming of is cruising The Seine aboard the Bateaux Mouches.
My first trip to Italy was born out of a piece of art that I saw on a TV monitor while taking an art history class in college.
I was so mesmerized by Bernini’s Apollo and Daphnee sculpture that I mumbled to myself, “I must see this.”
I interrupted the class to ask the professor where was that masterpiece and he said that it was at the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
That was in April, in September I was on my way to Rome.
Ever since inspiration and purpose have been my tour guide in a lot of travels.
Inspiration is certainly a great trigger to travel yet, there are many other things to consider when planning your vacation:
How much time do you have?
If you only have a week, it is best to plan for shorter air travel and preferrable within the same or close time zones to avoid jet lag and time zone changes that impact travel.
If you have 10 days or longer, you have more latitude for a fuller itinerary and longer air travel. Most overseas trips are usually over 6 hours and that could take a couple of days off your itinerary plus another few hours to get acclimated to your new surroundings and time zone
Overcrowding your itinerary leads to travel fatigue and it will get everything mangled in your head. You end up with the feeling to have seen so much yet remember little.
How do you fare in extreme temperatures? Does heat or cold bother you and prevent you from enjoying being outdoors, walking, climbing steps? If that is the case and you still decide you want to vacay to a place where the current weather will not the be most suitable, then you might want to build your itinerary around activities that require minimum outdoor exposure to avoid dealing with weather conditions that will make you uncomfortable. Travelers prefer to enjoy their vacation without having to deal with unpleasant weather conditions.
We all know that summertime, although the most ideal and convenient time of the year to travel, is also the most difficult. Big crowds everywhere, hot weather, flight delays, massive lines at airports and all major attractions, difficulty booking tickets, higher prices and on. However, many travelers are left with no choice but to travel during the summer because kids are off school, slow season at work that allows them to take their PTO without schedule conflicts, the days are longer and you feel you can do more, etc. If summer it is, then choose your destination carefully to prevent disappointments.
Crowds are hard to avoid and even harder to deal with it. People are travelling in staggering numbers these days and it does not look like it will slow down in the near future.
Although travel costs are increasing daily, so is accessibility to travel. Airlines are adding new routes from and to remote places, AirbNb and other organizations alike have made lodging more accessible and at times more convenient and affordable, technology and social media successfully bring travel closer to people by showing destinations that incite their curiosity and wanderlust.
All these components have contributed to a new and more convenient way to travel that generates an influx of travelers and the result is an overcrowding of cities, attractions, airports, etc. Off-shoulder season travel and choosing less touristy places could offer some great alternatives avoid the crowds.
Budget is key to deciding where to travel on vacation. Knowing what resources are available to you, will greatly assist you in selecting the place that best meets your financial plan.
Traveling within one’s means makes you more selective and better prepared to handle any unforeseen situation. Always find out, whether through your own research or through anyone assisting with your travel planning, what is the average cost of things such as food, transportation, basic necessities, entertainment, etc., at the location you will be visiting.
This will give you a fair idea of the monies you will need to have at your disposal to plan the things you would like to do within reasonable costs. Always remember to calculate the currency difference, if any, between your own country and the ones you will visit.
Considering these things should not give you pause for travelling, it only means that you will be better prepared to enjoy your trip if you keep them in mind.
I personally stay away from summer months as the heat makes me less energetic, more laid back and less willing to participate in physical and outdoor activities Off season travel sees diminishing crowds, lower travel related costs and the opportunity to have a slower pace that makes your journey more pleasant and rewarding.
You can certainly plan your own travels however, engaging the help of a connoisseur who has experience, skills and offers great service, can be very valuable and it can save you time, money and frustration. It can make the difference between I had a good time and I had the best of times.
Go travel!
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