GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING YOUR NEXT OR FIRST VACATION

Planning a trip abroad whether it is your first or your fiftieth can be agonizing.

I remember when I started planning my first trip. I had no idea what I was doing. Where to start from was a big problem. I was so confused that I had to meet some of my close friends; I got mixed tips which got me more confused. LOL! I was lost. I figured it out as I went, just hoping I didn’t miss anything.

Planning a long trip can be a daunting task. Where do you begin? What’s step one? What’s step two? What’s step three? It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the beginning, especially when you haven’t done something like this before.

Over the years, I’ve developed an efficient little checklist that ensures I don’t miss anything important. I don’t want to get to my next destination and then realize I forgot something.

In a continuing effort to get out the door and into the world, I’ve created this step-by-step guide to planning a trip that breaks the process down so planning becomes easier and less overwhelming:

Step 1 – Decide Where You Want To Go

Defining where you want to go sets a goal to work toward. A lot of people talk vaguely about travel. They never say where they are going, just that they are going. Picking a destination is immensely important, as it gives you a definite goal. It’s a lot easier to mentally get behind “I am going to Paris” than “I’m going to Europe.” Not only will your trip become more concrete for you and easier to commit to, but it will make planning easier as well. There are lots of lovely cities in all the continents that you can choose from. It could be the beautiful Dubai or just name it.

Middle East which is also known as the cradle of civilization has a variety of local cuisine for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, great monuments and you won’t find the cost of travel to weigh as heavily on your pocket.

African continent has cultures, landscapes and experiences beyond your wildest dreams. Africa is a treasure trove for all. A wonderful part of a visit to Africa is an insight into the different cultures and customs of this hospitable race. Diversity of African wildlife and scenery are among what makes this continent one of the most exciting destinations in the world.                 

Asia has amazing food, breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures and friendly people; it’s extremely safe. Culture and ideology in Asia are incredibly colorful and fascinating to outsiders, infrastructure also tends to be good, which makes Asia a great choice for any trip abroad

Australia’s a great place for any trip abroad: Laid-back locals, awe-inspiring landscapes and great beach weather year round.

Europe is without a doubt the most popular destination for first-time international travelers, if only because its cities, attractions and history are so ubiquitous in popular culture.

Step 2 - What is your budget like?

So you know where you’re going and how long you’ll be there, but to really nail down how much money you need, your next task is to research the costs in your destination at the style of travel you want. Do you want to backpack, or would you rather stay in luxury hotels? How much are hostels, hotels, restaurants, and attractions? Knowing will allow you to estimate how much money you’ll need for your trip

If you are going to Paris for 10 days and need $75 a day (not including your flight), you know you need to save $750 (though round up to $800 since it’s good to have extra) for your trip. Now you have a concrete goal to work toward.

Step 3 – Accommodation Plans

If you have a set schedule, feel free to book accommodation for the duration of your trip, but if you are going to be traveling long-term, book just the first few days. Once you know the dates you’ll be in your destination, there is no real reason not to find a place to stay.

Step 4 - How will you get around?

You’ll need an air ticket to get to wherever your destination is.Mass transit is another option because this allows you the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes at your city of choice.

Step 5 - When do you want to travel?

Having specific dates to travel is good, as it provides you with at least one fixed parameter while planning your trip abroad. This can be particularly beneficial with regard to airfare.

Having flexibility with regard to timing can also open up the opportunity for trips that overlap with rare events

The freedom to travel whenever you want is a dream situation for some – and a nightmare for others. On one hand, being flexible with departure dates allows you to be more open about where you go, but for travelers who have cold feet about planning their trips abroad, not having a definite date in mind can cause trip-planning atrophy.

Step 6 - How long do you want to stay?

How much does it cost to travel? You will have no idea without knowing for how long you’re going away. You can’t figure out how much you need to save if you haven’t decided on how long you’ll be in your destination. After you say “I’m going to Paris,” add “for 10 days.

Short trips are good in that having a limited amount of time forces you to use each day more fully.

Traveling for a month or longer is ideal if you want to explore multiple countries in a region. 

Many people who travel indefinitely do so with a specific intent. Taking an extremely long trip abroad is an alluring prospect, but could be maddening especially if you don’t have any purpose.

Step 7 - Places of Interest to Visit?

Sketch out the major activities you want to enjoy and how much they cost. Make any last-minute adjustments to your savings so you can ensure you have enough money. This will also help you figure out if you need any reservations for your chosen tours or activities.

Step 8 - Tell Your Card Companies You’re Traveling

No matter how long you’ll be gone, it’s a good idea to let your credit card companies know you will be overseas; that way any transactions that you make aren’t flagged as fraudulent and your card is less likely to be blocked. There’s nothing worse than having to sit on the phone with your credit/debit card company instead of enjoying your vacation.

Step 9 - Buy Travel Insurance

While a lot of people think “I’m healthy, I don’t need travel insurance. I won’t get sick,” travel insurance is much more than just medical protection. It covers you when your camera breaks, your flight is canceled, a family member dies and you have to come home, or something is stolen.

Travel Insurance is something you will need on the road. You never know what might happen, and most health plans won’t cover you overseas. A friend of mine never thought she would break her leg while breakdancing or break her camera in New York. Another friend never thought she would break her leg hiking; yet another friend certainly didn’t expect her father would die and she would have to fly back home.

By using this post as a guideline, you can better organize and prepare for your trip. You’ll check all the boxes, not miss anything. It can be as simple as booking a flight and packing or as complex as rearranging your entire life to go backpack the world forever.

But no matter your trip length, this list will help you stay organized as you prepare to step onto that plane and out into the world.

P.S. Yes, I did leave out visas and vaccinations, because needing those isn’t as universal as the other stuff on this list, but don’t forget to check if you need those, too!