A professional globetrotter, well-versed in navigating diverse cultures and off-the-beaten-path adventures might find planning their next adventure a thrilling experience. Oh yeah, that's me! On the other hand, a beginner traveler might find the mere thought of trying curate a detailed itinerary, puts them into a state of such overwhelm that they procrastinate and never take that trip. I'm here to help you plan your trip and to encourage you with seven simple steps.  You'll find thoughtful travel and planning advise to help you take the first step towards going on that well deserved trip.

Step one: CREATE A BUCKETLIST (Location, Times to Visit, and Restrictions)

Create a list of destinations, use google searches to help you find ideas, research

safety, your interests, types of trips, etc. Research best time of year to visit along with

the cheaper off season options that could also work. Make note of any travel restrictions

or special documents required to travel there (tourist visa, vaccinations, etc)

Step two: COMPARISONS (Vacation Dates VS Costs)

Compare your vacation dates with destinations that would be a good match for that

timeframe and narrow it down to your top three choices. Start pricing flights and hotels

for each location and track price changes. I use google flights to do this but you can

use other apps that do the same thing. You will begin to see trends in pricing and will

get a good idea of the average cost to fly to a destination. Sometimes the flight costs

will significantly be reduced and this is a good deal if you can snag the cheaper cost. 

That is one easy way to help you choose your next destination. Or if you have your

heart set on one particular place, watch the prices and book when the fees are

reasonable.

Step three: BOOK NOW (Flights & Trip Insurance)

Book your flights and buy travel insurance. I use World Nomads and they have been

very easy to work with. I got all my money back after having to cancel my trip to

Scotland when I tested positive for covid twelve hours before our flight departed. I was

How to Plan a Trip | Destination, Itinerary & Packing 2

devastated, but things could have been much worse had we not purchased this

insurance.

Step four: PLANNING & ITINERARY (Specific Activities & Reservations)

Plan your daily itinerary by researching what it is you want to do on your vacation. Get

ideas from doing a google search, trip advisor, pinterest, Intagram, Facebook Groups,

etc. My rule of thumb is two activities and one planned meal per day, leaving plenty of

free time to relax or be spontaneous also. Itinerary planning depends on a lot of factors,

like destination, type of vacation etc. But if I have the freedom to customize my trip, I’ll

follow the 2 + 1 guideline. This is the time to also make any necessary reservations at

your destination, for restaurants, shows, tours, etc.

Step five: BOOK ACCOMMODATION (Type and Location)

Decide what type of accommodation you want. There are many different types to

choose from. My prefernce is to book something that feels special or is a unique

experience if at all possible. Like; staying in a treehouse, co-ed or private hostels, or

sleeping in an ice hotel, etc. I’m a big fan of VRBO and AirBnB but I know that’s not

everyone’s cup of tea. You can also consider boutique hotels and resorts along with the

big hotel chains. Consider the location too. And if you need to book more than one

place to lay your head if your doing a mult-destination trip.

Step six: TRANSPORTATION (public vs private)

Decide on how you prefer to get from the airport to your hotel. Is public transportation

an option. Or do you prefer to be pampered and hire a private car. Maybe you like to

DIY and want to rent a car. These are things you need to consider and make

arrangements for ahead of time. Also, how are you going to get around during your

trip? Do you need to download any special apps? (Uber, etc) And how safe is it to use

public transporation, etc. Depending on the type of vacation you are booking, this may

be an easy task or may require some thought and planning ahead.

Step seven: PACKING LIST (weather pending)

Look up the weather for the dates of your trip and select your travel wardrobe

accordingly. Try to travel with less. Why? It’s easier, avoid checking a bag means less

hassle, you can buy on your trip and have room to bring back your treasures and

souveniers. Remember to concider your electronics. Do you need any converters, wifi,

smart connect device, local SIM card, portable wifi hotspot rental. Make a list of what

you need and what you need to order or buy once you arrive. 

That's it... you're ready to embark on your next adventure!

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel so I can continue to create more helpful content for you to enjoy.

Now go on your trip and discover the magic that awaits!