Planning a trip can be daunting, especially if it’s the first time you’ve done it. But if you do your research and take it slow, it can be quite fun. And if you’ve already been on vacation, it can help you avoid some of the common mistakes that can make a bad vacation even worse.
The most important thing to do when planning a trip is to decide what you want your trip to look like. Do you want to travel quickly and tick places off a list, or do you want to enjoy the culture in the place where you’re visiting? The answer will depend on a variety of things, including your budget and the amount of time you have at your disposal.
Once you know your destination and your pace, it’s a good idea to put together a rough itinerary. This can be as detailed or as vague as you want it to be, but it will give you a goal to work towards. It’s also worth looking into the weather for your destination at the time of year you’re going. This will give you an idea of how nice or cold it is, and if there are any festivals or events happening that might be interesting to see.
This is also a great time to start looking at hotels. Using Google maps to familiarize yourself with the geography of your destination can really help you narrow down your hotel options, and it’s a good way to identify any attractions that might be close by that you may not have considered. For example, if you’re planning on visiting the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, a quick jump on Google maps can show you the location of the bridge and other key landmarks in the city, making it easier to decide where to stay.
Next, it’s a good idea to book any activities or sightseeing tours that you plan on doing. This can be as simple as making a call to the activity provider and asking about availability, or you can go through online booking services that allow you to reserve tickets and other amenities ahead of time. It’s always better to book these things in advance, as this can prevent the disappointment of turning up for a tour or attraction only to find it’s booked out completely.
This is a good time to do any last-minute packing, as well as finishing any laundry you’ll be bringing with you. Don’t forget to pack any snacks you plan on eating while away (or purchase a few from the airport), and make sure you have all your travel-size toiletries and essentials. Finally, if you’re planning on leaving your house for a while, make arrangements with your neighbour to keep an eye on it and water any indoor or outdoor plants. Clean out your car and pack any necessary snacks and travel items. And, of course, don’t forget your travel insurance.. plan your trip