5 Things to Consider When Planning Your Dream Itinerary
As most areas approach a full year in lockdown, travel may seem like a fantasy that never truly existed. Still, brighter days are ahead. If you’re dreaming of a future vacation, here are five things to consider when planning your perfect itinerary.
Destination
Naturally, the most important step when planning a trip is to decide on a destination. Where are you headed? How long will you stay? What do you hope to gain from your time there? Visiting a new place can be overwhelming, especially in a big city where your options are seemingly endless.
To make the most of your time, try pinning down three things you simply MUST do. These are your “big ticket items”–highlights around which the rest of your trip should revolve. Choosing just three things can be difficult, but you’ll find it much easier to plan the rest of your time when you know which activities or events you can’t miss out on.
It’s also vital to consider what time of year you plan to travel. What seasons see the highest levels of tourism for your destination? If you’re not looking to catch a specific event, visiting during an area’s “off season” can save you a fair chunk of change. Time of year can also play an important role in the weather. Research the climate of your destination: you may need to purchase specific types of clothing depending on the forecast. These expenses can be factored into your budget if you plan ahead!
Budgeting
Once you’ve settled on where your adventure will take you, it’s time to start saving up. You should begin saving for your trip as early as possible. Try creating a weekly or monthly savings goal: setting aside just a little every week can add up quite fast!
You should factor in things such as your “big ticket items”, prices of transportation and admission; and other fees such as meals, clothing, travel insurance, visas and vaccinations. You may want to create separate funds for logistic expenses and extra spending money. Anticipating how much shopping you plan to do ensures you’ll have plenty of cash to enjoy yourself. When in doubt, it’s best to save more than you think you’ll really need.
Consider what level of quality you want in regards to transport and accommodations. As the old adage goes: “You get what you pay for”, but this isn’t always a bad thing. Scaling down the price of your logistic expenses can leave more money to splurge on the exciting parts of your experience.
Lastly, set a date for your final savings goal…and be a time cruncher. It’s common for flight and lodging to be booked as much as six to eight months in advance. Reaching your savings goal at least a year before departure will give you extra padding to soften any unexpected setbacks. You can plan in peace, knowing your finances are in order.
Transportation
Transportation is an element that looms over every vacation from start to finish. It’s important to consider the distance you’ll be traveling when deciding on options such as flying, driving, or taking the train. The length of your stay plays a key role here. If your days are limited, a faster option such as air travel can help you make the most of your time.
Luggage is another factor. Options such as air or train travel may limit your ability to bring along certain items, due to size and weight limits as well as other restrictions. Traveling with pets, children or those with accessibility concerns may also influence your choices.
Once you’ve arrived, you’ll still need to consider transport as you navigate the area. If you opt not to travel with your own vehicle, services such as car rental and apps like Uber or Lyft can get you where you need to go. Don’t forget to check out the public transportation options, as well. It’s best to have at least two separate plans for how you will get around, just in case one falls through.
Accommodations
When choosing your lodging, the most important thing to consider is how much time you will be spending in your room. If you wish for your lodging to be a key element of your experience and you plan to spend a lot of time there, it can pay to choose a more expensive, all-inclusive option. However, if you just need a base of operations and plan to spend most of your time out and about, scaling down is the best way to go.
Consider again your points of interest, and any attractions or events you wish to see. Choosing lodging that’s central to these areas will save time and add convenience to your trip. Get familiar with all the options in your area! Traditional hotels are one of many accommodation types available. Alternatives include options like hostels, capsule hotels, and services such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
If arriving by plane or train, choosing lodging close to your arrival hub can be helpful. This will allow for a smooth transition to your lodging, and can cut down on the frustration of transporting your luggage if you are not utilizing a luggage service.
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Travel Documentation
The most common forms of travel documents are passports and standard IDs. However, many other types of documents may be required for your trip, especially in today’s world. It’s helpful to keep a dedicated folder for items such as boarding passes, reservation confirmations and copies of event tickets and receipts. Digital documentation is convenient, but bringing along paper copies will save you hassle in the event of a device malfunction.
Before travel, research your destination area for any requirements concerning proof of vaccinations. It’s expected that in the months ahead, many areas will require travelers to present CDC cards verifying receipt of the COVID-19 vaccination.
We hope these tips will help you plan your next great adventure!
