When I start planning a trip, the trip takes on a life of it's own. I have made the mistake in the past of not doing enough research to learn about a place so I try to learn as much as I can before going. I almost always start with TripAdvisor.com. Not only can it help you decide where to go, but it can also provide you with valuable information regarding lodging, dining, things do and my favorite part, the travel forums. On these forums, you can pretty much ask anything and get an answer.
So I usually decide how much time we have for a trip and the time of the year we would like to go and plan from there. Type of trip is next...whether it will be beach, city, or sightseeing has a lot to do with it.
I usually have a place already in mind just from reading travel magazines. I keep every issue of Travel +Leisure, Conde Nast and Islands. I especially covet the issues that come out with The Gold List or Top Whatever. Even if you are not planning to stay in that over the top five star resort hotel, it will still give you good ideas, especially the lists for top destinations. Trip Advisor also has a Best of… tab on its website. My travel resources...
Once I narrow down an area, domestic or international, island, inland or coast, then I start deciding what I want to do or see, again...Trip Advisor, either on the things to do page or the travel forums. Once I have a general idea of what we would like to do, then comes the fun part, deciding on a hotel. This is by far the thing I enjoy the most. We have stayed in many hotels, I know exactly what I want and between Trip Advisor, Expedia and the hotel website, I can pretty much feel like I've stayed there without even going. I enjoy nice hotels, but there is definitely something to be said for not staying in the most expensive and finding what is important to you. While some people have the attitude that a hotel room is just for sleeping, I do not. I prefer to stay in a four star hotel and be comfortable paying for a suite, than staying in a small room at a five star hotel. It's a give and take, so I research a lot!
This is when a list comes in handy. I make a lot of them and charts, too. Once I have a time and place picked out, I use my blank itinerary template and start penciling things in. This document becomes my travel bible. I put all dates, locations, confirmation numbers, appointments, flight times and numbers, in a format that is easy to read and plan with. I usually email it to myself so I can always have a copy wherever I go. Here is a sample itinerary…
It's nice to have this accessible on our phones and iPad. Although, I have used this format for years, even before technology put traveling at our fingertips. Sometimes, the great trips take two pages, but usually it fits on one. As you can see, we always know where we are supposed to be and who to contact if we need to. I usually have a what to pack list attached to each itinerary. This works great especially if we are going back to a location. I can see what I packed and usually remember that I had to much clothes! I also have a checklist for each itinerary based on where we are going of things I need to take of before we leave. Some ever evolving samples...
Some may think its a bit overdone, I do not. I like to be organized and be able to live in the moment of traveling without wondering what to do next. We have gone on a couple of trips that were not well planned and have realized we are not go with the flow people. We end up floundering trying to decide what to do.
My other lists include phone instructions and a list I leave with someone at home that has all of our contact numbers.
The last thing that I do is make copies of passports and credit cards. One copy stays at home and one copy travels with us. I usually keep the copies with me while traveling and then store in the hotel safe.
It is hard to put into just one post how much planning I do, therefore, I know I will learn something and feel to compelled to share it. I learn new things and the planning evolves based on experiences. In the end, the biggest decision is getting out there and deciding to see the world. Whether you have a super tight budget or no budget at all, sometimes the hardest part is being overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. A Travel Agent can be a huge help to guide you in the right direction. For the computer savvy, let your imagination guide your fingers. It's never to late to start seeing the world and hopefully, we will never stop!
There is a trip out there, waiting for you, and you can do it on whatever budget you decide. It's all in the right planning!
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