Travel Planning
Travel planning includes everything from deciding on destination and timing, to organizing the details that shape your journey such as flights, lodging, daily activities, and anything else you can think of. While the level of planning can vary depending on your personality and the type of trip, some preparation is essential for a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
First Things First
Every great trip begins with a solid plan. Before diving into the details, start with the basics:
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Choose your destination and timing. Where and when you travel often depends on a mix of factors—family interests, work schedules, special opportunities, and of course, the weather. Deciding on where and when to go sets the foundation for everything else. Typically, destination or timing spurs the idea behind a trip.
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For more thoughts on choosing timing or destinations, see this blog.
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When you've decided on the destination and timing, use all the tools on this website to manage the planning.
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Decide how you want to plan. Some travelers enjoy handling every detail themselves, while others prefer to get some support along the way:
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You get the most flexibility by planning your own trip. For more on this, click here.
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A travel advisor can organize the full trip or any piece of it [put link to post here].
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A group tour offers structure and shared experiences. For more on this, click here. about group travel.
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Local advisors can provide insider tips and guidance once you’re on the ground. [put link to post here]
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If you are planning to manage any aspect of the trip planning yourself, which we recommend for your personal sense of fulfillment/ joy, read on.
Pulling A Plan Together, Part I
Now that you have a destination in mind, as well as your timing, start thinking about what you'll do when you get there -- the fun stuff! Undoubtedly, there is at least one thing you know you want to do or see which compelled the trip in the first place, so start there and fill in the rest of your time around that.
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Find out the days/ times that this pivotal experience/ site is open so that you know you can experience it. Remember, sometimes, restaurants, historical sites/ museums/ parks are closed to the public and it would be tragic if you couldn't see the thing you most wanted to when you were there.
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If you can, book it now!
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If it is not yet open for booking, be sure to make a note (in your calendar, in your notes app, in a folder) of available times so you don't forget to book it. Then put a reminder on your calendar to actually book it. (If you don't need to book anything, pick the time(s) you want to be there and add it to your calendar so you don't double-book it!
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BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET (prioritizing your must-do/ must see items).
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Unless money is no issue (yay!), now is the time to figure out how much money you are willing to spend on this trip.
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If you need to fly to the destination, go online (or call a travel agent, or ask AI) to see how much flights typically are so you have a ball-park figure.
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Subtract out the cost of doing your must-see items (if any), and see what is left.
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Depending on how many people there are in your party, now is when you should decide if a hotel or vacation rental makes more sense, and determine an approximate amount to cover that key expenditure.
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Make an assumption about how much meals will cost.
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This will vary greatly depending on whether you are foodies, whether you stay in a hotel or home (and can eat in), and how much you typically eat. If you only eat one or 2 meals a day at home, there's no reason you need to eat three on vacation.
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NOW you can decide how much you can allocate to other things to see and do while on vacation.
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This is a good time to decide if you want to use a travel advisor for some or all of your trip planning, or perhaps take an escorted tour. Any of these might make sense depending on how many decisions and plans you want to make yourself. Consider using a tour company if they offer a tour departure which includes everything you know you want to see, WHEN you want to see it, at a price that makes sense for you. Then you really don't need to make any more decisions!
Pulling A Plan Together, Part II
Here's where things get exciting, as you really get your trip to take shape. But, admittedly, this can be more challenging. You've figured out why, where, and when to see the thing(s) which have motivated the trip. Yay! But now you need to learn about other things to see and do, and when you should plan them.
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Ask friends for ideas.
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Checking out parts of this website (use the search bar)
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These days, AI (Artificial Intelligence) can be extremely helpful in helping you fill in the rest of your trip.
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Just be sure to ask the question stipulating what you like (or don't like!) to do, how many people (and ages, if relevant), and what you already have planned.
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See this post on using AI in travel
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A favorite trick of mine in learning about what not-to-miss is perusing tour operator itineraries. When you see that several tour companies all include certain things, there's a pretty high likelihood you should consider adding it to your itinerary. Look at Viator for popular ideas, too.
Hooray! You've got a list, and its time to pull it all together and put it in an itinerary, which we've written about, here.