Table of Contents - Planning A Trip - An Easy 12 Step Guide
About This Blog On Planning A Trip
This blog post on Planning A Trip is our attempt to give a comprehensive guide to all our readers on how to plan for a trip! We have attempted to make it as simple as possible.
Just to put everything into context, my wife and I have been traveling the world for a long while and have covered in excess of 90 countries to date. We have had many ups and downs, and consequently learnt by our many mistakes.
We have brought together all what we have learnt in our many travels into this post. It includes all the dos and don’ts of travel. We believe that this blog post will be helpful to newcomers as well as seasoned travelers.
Planning a trip from scratch can seem really daunting, especially if planning is not your thing! Let us tell you, it is not that difficult. It is easy, if you do it logically. Most importantly, it can be a lot of fun!!
Hope our blog post on Planning a Trip in 12 Easy Steps will be of great benefit to you!!!
How Best To Use This Blog Post
We give below a few pointers as to best to use this post on Planning A Trip to suit your needs.
Not all sections may be applicable to you. For instance, you may know when you intend traveling next, and where you are going. You could then skip the sections concerning ‘when and where’, and move onto the sections that you need some advice on.
The table of contents will help you to go to your area of interest quite easily.
We have included many free clickable checklists and other aids that will make planning a trip that much easier.
Some areas are covered in greater detail in our other blog posts, which will hopefully add to your reading pleasure!
We have listed all the resources/entities we use in our travels (for example, to make a hotel booking) with links to aid you in the process. Using such links is entirely up to you. Our list is by no means comprehensive. There are many other entities providing all such services.
When To Travel - Planning A Trip - Step 1
When to travel will depend on your personal circumstances to a large extent. For example a family with kids planning a family trip will most probably travel during kids’ vacations. Further, when one could take time off work also will be an important factor.
Then there are the lucky ones that have the flexibility as to when to go on vacation. For example, retired couples, people having their own businesses and those that could work from anywhere such as bloggers, IT professionals and generally those that could work remotely!
Other Considerations - On When To Plan A Trip
Both of us, being avid travelers tend to look out for every opportunity to travel. For instance long weekends, around public holidays. Also some others take shorter vacations so that they could take many trips throughout the year.
Depending on where you live, there are plenty of places to go to close by, if you only have a short time. For example, both of us used to go to New York for weekends very often when we lived in Bermuda. Now that we live in Sri Lanka, there are so many countries which less than 4 hours travel such as India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the Middle East.
Also do not forget that there may be plenty of places to go to in one’s own country. For instance, we travel a great deal within Sri Lanka all the time!!!
More Tips On When To Travel
Avoid Peak Travel Periods
Generally peak travel periods are school vacation time, summer months and winter months. Additionally there are special occasions such as Cherry Blossom time in Japan, the Chelsea Flower Show in London, the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany every 8th year, the Rio Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras time in New Orleans.
Unless you have to plan a trip during a peak time, always go for the shoulder months. Firstly, it is cheaper. Secondly, there are less crowds. Most importantly, it is very peaceful and less stressful!!
For instance, travel at the beginning of May or towards the end of September to avoid summer vacation time in Europe, USA and Canada. Also you may travel just before or just after peak tourist seasons, such as August or April in Australia, November or May in Sri Lanka and June to October in Kenya.
As you can see, there are plenty of places to go, anytime of the year. Consequently, one has to invest some time and do the research. Google queries bring forth so much valuable data.
The All Important Question
Where To Go When Planning A Trip - Step 2
Most probably, where you want to go will be dictated by the time of year of travel as well the length of the trip. For instance, if you are taking off on a long weekend, you would consider traveling to a close by location or even doing a road trip.
Looking For Inspiration?
There may be occasions where you simply do not know where to start! Luckily we have the internet with so much information on the various destinations.
We tend to fall back on a few tried and tested YouTube channels and a few travel blogs. We are pleased to share with you some of our favorite go to resources. Please bear in mind that there are thousands of resources available to you.
YouTube
Travel Blogs
The Blonde Abroad – This is super travel blog. It caters to all types of travelers – solo, female, adventure, luxury, couples, eco and much more!
Y Travel – If you are looking to fuel your desire to travel, look no more! This blog features a family traveling full time.
A Broken Backpack – Features slow travel, i.e., spending longer periods in each location. It is great for backpackers.
The Blog Abroad – Ideal for solo female travelers. It also contains great content for all travelers.
Sarath Travels – Last but not least our own blog. We share our travel experiences from our extensive travels covering 90+ countries.
Decision Time
Hopefully with some inspiration under your belt you are now in a position to make a decision on where to go.
To make absolutely certain that you make the right decision, we suggest you also consider the following.
Desired Experience – Do you like to visit a modern city or a city that has ancient ruins? Are you interested in immersing yourself in the culture/s of the destination/s? Do you want to be close to a beach? Are you the adventurous and outdoorsy type? Do you like beautiful scenery and peace and quiet?
Weather – Are you trying to escape from the heat or cold at where you live? Do you like the sun? Do you want to see snow? You need to ensure that you avoid rainy seasons. Do not travel to some parts during hurricane/typhoon seasons.
Time of Year – Have you got to consider kids’ vacation time? Are there particularly busy periods at work? Can you arrange a house sitter? Consider that some destinations are virtually closed during some months of the year. Is the time available for vacation fit in with what you want to achieve at a given location?
Budget – Get some ideas as to what things cost at the location you are looking to travel to. Preparing a travel budget is highly recommended. Main thing is to be able to comfortably afford your vacation!
Locations – Is it going to be a one destination vacation? Do you intend making multiple stops? Would you be able to get the necessary visa/s for your chosen destination/s?
You now have all the information you need to make a decision on where to go. The inspiration you received by doing the research of YouTube channels and travel blogs and the answers to the above questions is what you need. Hopefully you will now make the correct decision!!!
Booking Your Flight/s For Your Planned Trip/s - Step 3
The next logical step is to book your flight/s. We recommend you do this as early as possible. This way, you are now committed to making the trip! So many travelers do not end up traveling as they fail to take this first step.
Best Timing For Booking Flights
Put simply, one to three months out is when you want to start thinking of booking domestic flights. Generally speaking, ticket prices will not be originally listed at their lowest price for domestic flights. On the other hand, booking international flights, three months out is the last minute you want to be thinking of booking. Go more than three months out to book tickets for international flights to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible.
Resources For Booking Flights
When looking for a flight, we generally go through the following process. Over the years, we have come to like flying with certain airlines. We have subscribed to receive information on deals being offered by these airlines. For your information, all major airlines have this type of newsletter facility. We have been successful in getting really good deals by doing this.
Here Are Some Of Our Favorite Sites For Booking Flights
Skyscanner – This is a great site. It gives flight details from around the world. It compares ticket prices and offers other advice such as the best time to travel.
Google Flights – This site also gives similar information to Skyscanner.
Expedia – Another favorite of ours!
Some Additional Tips For Saving Money On Flights
- Join the frequent flyer programs of all the airlines that you usually fly with. Keep your eyes peeled for deals and opportunities.
- Rewards Travel – It is a premiere travel agency located in Norwalk, California. They serve all your travel planning and reservation needs-from beginning to end and help you secure the best airfares with the shortest journey times, great hotels in exotic destinations and exclusive deals on cruise packages.
- Other services similar to Rewards Travel. Google and discover!!
Making Additional Transportation Arrangements When Planning Trip
We very often do multi stop trips. At times we make all transportation arrangements when we make our initial booking. Most people who travel to multiple destinations prefer to have flexibility. Hence, after making an initial booking to leave and to get back home, additional transportation arrangements are done whilst traveling. For instance, when we travel in Europe, we tend to visit at least two countries each trip.
There are many options for booking your connections.
Plane
This is the best option if your vacation includes places that are not located close to each other. The flight resources mentioned earlier can be used. In addition, there are many budget options such as Easy Jet and Ryan Air in Europe, Air Asia in Asia, Jet Star in Australia, Jet Blue in the USA, just to name a few. Make sure that whichever airline you fly has a favorable safety rating.
Train
In our opinion, this is the best way to travel. In addition to being hassle free, trains are a relatively fast and convenient way to travel. Above all, it allows you to enjoy the countryside!! Usually, there are rail passes that are valid for vast regions. For instance, in Europe you can purchase a Eurail Pass which can get you to anywhere in Europe.
Rental Cars
This option is the most flexible, if driving is your “thing”!! Road trips can be a lot of fun and will allow travel at your own place and see sights you may not see otherwise. Any of the main rent-a car sites such as Budget, Hertz, Avis and Enterprise would be your best bet. In addition, we have found that Booking.com and Expedia.com are also good for finding deals on car rentals.
Travel Philosophy And Planning A Trip - Step 4
Folks usually have some sort of philosophy they employ when it comes to planning their travel. Everyone is different. Hence, what you do when you travel will be unique to you. Ideally when traveling in a group, it is best that there is some common understanding on what everyone wants to achieve from their trip.
Philosophy Matters To Consider In Planning A Trip
- What type of accommodation would you prefer? Are you into high end accommodation or something that is reasonably priced?
- Would you prefer a hotel or an apartment?
- Some folks go on vacation for relaxation, whilst others are more into adventurous holidays.
- Are you looking for sun and beach or would you prefer some quiet countryside location?
- Are you into the hustle and bustle of a big city with plenty of nightlife activity?
More Philosophy Considerations
- Do you like going on paid excursions, or would you prefer to perhaps rent a car and explore the surroundings yourself?
- Would you like to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the location you are visiting?
- Are you the type that likes spending time at museums?
- Do you like visiting ancient ruins and admiring the very architectures of the region?
- Do you like going out to eat and really getting into the cuisines popular in the area you are visiting?
The answers to the above will to a great extent help you decide where to go and how much time to spend. Further, your budget will also help you make some of the decisions on the above-mentioned matters.
Insight Into Our Travel Philosophy
When we travel with others, we make absolutely sure that are respective travel philosophies are in congruence to a large extent.
We use different vacations to fulfil different aspects of our philosophy. For instance, when we visit an island destination, we will most probably choose a good beach resort and generally take it easy.
We tend to do a great deal of research before selecting where we will stay. Most times, we use Trip Advisor, Expedia and Booking.com for our research.
We tend to depend a great deal on the comments of others before selecting our accommodation/s.
Although price is not a huge issue for us, we tend to go for quality rather than price.
Eating out is a big part of our travel life! Again, we do research on where we should go, mainly by using Trip Advisor. We also get local input on this aspect.
We are not so much into museums. However when we are in cities like London, New York and Paris, we tend to do flying visits to the famous museums in these cities.
We are interested in the culture and history of where we visit. However, we do not spend too much time on this aspect.
We tend to go out on paid excursions. To help us decide on our excursions we do a combination of the following; doing research before we travel using some of the YouTube and blog resources mentioned previously, getting advice from the hotel concierge and using the popular excursion booking site called ‘viator.com’.
Preparing a Travel Budget - Step 5
A number of people we know do not have the discipline to budget for travel. For some, it may not matter so much, due to funding not being an issue for them.
We earnestly request everyone to draw up a budget before travel. It need not be elaborate and in great detail. A budget, in our opinion, really helps one focus on getting the most out of any trip.
Here are the obvious main categories of expense that require budgetary consideration.
Some people go to elaborate lengths when it comes to budgeting for travel. For instance you may opt to do your budget on a daily basis. Some others budget for everything separately. For example, each excursion, itemized shopping list etc. It is entirely up to you. We tend not to go into too much detail. Over the years we have nailed it down to a fine art!! Practice makes perfect!!!
Transportation
Transportation: Flight, taxi and bus costs and the cost of additional inland transportation including renting vehicle/s.
Lodging
Hotel, Apartment, B&BS, Campers etc. If you are planning on staying with friends, you may wish to take some gifts in appreciation.
Activities
Excursions, entertainment, etc., in other words the cost of having a great time!
Food
Eating is essential for survival! This category of cost can be controlled to a great extent. It all depends on you.
Shopping
A largely optional category. Do not forget to get some gifts for the folks back home.
Miscellaneous
It is always set aside a lump sum for contingencies. You never know what you may have to contend with whilst on your travels.
Some Pointers To Help You Get The Maximum Bang For Your Buck
We hope that the following pointers will help you. This list constitutes our learnings over the years from extensive travel.
- Use international credit cards wherever possible. Hopefully you will have a credit card with favorable terms from your local bank.
- Try and obtain some currency of the country you are traveling to beforehand. Plan on getting the bulk of your cash needs after you get to your destination. You almost certainly need a certain amount of local cash for tips, taxi, small incidental expenses, etc.
- As a general rule we try to avoid getting local cash from airports, hotels and local banks, as they tend to be expensive. Your best bet are authorized money changers. You find such outfits almost in all countries. We urge you to do some research on the internet before you travel to get to know your options on this front. Also, getting some advice from a friendly hotel concierge may be invaluable.
- Most big cities have “travel cards” that entitles visitors to substantial discounts from local transportation, entrance fees to museums etc., restaurants and other categories of expenses. Information on these types of deals are readily available from the internet.
More Pointers On Budgeting For Trip
- Look out for deals on transportation. Local transportation authorities in larger towns and cities tend to have long term fares. For instance if you plan to use the local buses, check into the availability of weekly/monthly bus fares.
- Also search for deals on food. Your international credit card may entitle you to discounts from certain restaurants. Again research on the internet will help.
- If you are a regular traveler it will be worth your while to obtain memberships that gives you access to airport lounges, discounts in restaurants, etc.
Must Do When Planning Trip
Find Out Country Entry Requirements - Step 6
We cannot overemphasize the importance of this step. We had a nasty experience once, when we were denied entry into a country. That was indeed a painful lesson. On the bright side, we are not likely to ever get caught out in the future.
In addition to having the necessary visa, meeting each country’s vaccination requirement is also important.
An important first step is to have a valid passport. Most importantly, countries do not allow entry unless the expiry date of a passport is more than 6o days after arrival. Please check on this important passport validity requirement for the countries you are traveling to at least 3 months before travel. This way, you have plenty of time to get your passport renewed on time.
Entry Requirements - Resources For Planning A Trip
Again this needs research. Generally you could obtain all requirements from the internet. Make sure you get the right information applicable to you. For instance the entry requirements for a US citizen may not be the same as for a Polish citizen. Most importantly, obtain the information from an official source, for example, a government information site.
If you are using a travel agent, they also will be able to help you find out about entry requirements. If you are finding it difficult, you could always call the embassy of the country you wish to find out about.
You should pay close attention to the following:
- How many months of unexpired time do you need on your passport? As previously mentioned, most countries require that you have at least six months remaining on your passport for entry.
- How many blank passport pages are required? Most countries require that a passport should have at least one free page left on a passport.
- Is a visa required for entry? If a visa is required, research how you may obtain it. Some countries provide visas upon entry, while others require that you get one in advance from the local embassy of the country you wish to visit. Make sure you obtain your visa well in advance. We suggest that you do this at least 3 months before the departure date.
- Are vaccines or malaria pills required for entry? Requirements vary by region, and so does the level of enforcement. Again, do not leave this for the last moment
Where To Stay When Planning Trip - Step 7
To a large extent this decision will be based on your likes and dislikes, and your budget.
You should also consider the following before making a decision. What type of neighborhood would you prefer? For instance, if you prefer to stay in a big city, would you rather stay right in the center where all the action is? Alternatively, would you prefer a quiet neighborhood? You are now ready to make that important decision. You may want to refer to a city map to help you in the process.
Helpful Tips On Where To Stay
We have a few more helpful tips. As previously mentioned, make sure you book well in advance. You may want to get in there very early if you are traveling during a busy period. Safety is something you should always bear in mind making these decisions. Further, ease of getting around must also be considered.
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to the different types of accommodation available! Just consider what you have to choose from – resorts, hotels, hostels, B&Bs, guesthouses, apartments, campsites!! Again your likes and dislikes will help you in this decision.
Resources For Booking Your Stay
Here is a list of the resources we usually use. Trust us when we say that we have never been disappointed with our choices. Since where you stay will be a major determinant of how much you enjoy your vacation, we earnestly suggest that you spend some time on this decision.
This site has a huge amount of choices. Pretty much all types of types of accommodations are covered. As with all of our research, we pay a great deal of attention to reviews left by previous clients. Please note that you could fine tune your search in this site, similar to most other sites. For instance you could limit your choices to; a certain budget, being child friendly, inclusion of breakfast, most popular, and whatever other requirements you may have.
Another site which is very similar to Booking.com. We have found that shopping around usually helps us find the ideal place.
This is the most popular site when it comes to travel. It has a wealth of information on accommodations, eating choices, attractions, etc. Please note that when it comes to client reviews, this site does not limit reviews to people who have booked through them. Hence, there is no verification on the reviews. On the flip side, there are literally 100s of reviews for each location. Please make sure you read a number of them to give you good idea about each location.
We have started using Airbnb recently. We have so far had some good experiences. This type of location makes most sense, if you are traveling with a group of friends. Given that you have the whole place you book to yourself, it makes for a very homely atmosphere to enjoy the company of close friends. If you are not so much into cooking whilst traveling, please make sure that you choose a central location. Pay particular attention to reviews. You want to pay special attention to how accommodating and good your host is.
Identifying and Booking Activities - Step 8
Important Step In Planning Trip
Let us now consider what we consider to be the most interesting parts of planning a trip. What will you be doing and where will you be eating? We thoroughly enjoy this part of our trip planning. Some people operate on the fly. If that is what you want, so be it!
Once again, your likes and dislikes and your budget will come into play!
In our opinion, researching these important aspects beforehand helps a great deal. The worst thing that could happen would be to come back from a vacation and realize that you missed out on visiting an important and famous location.
Relevant Resources On Things To Do - For Planning Trip
When it comes to what to do, the pre-planning we do is to distill all our options down to a manageable schedule. We generally do not like to be on the go the whole time. We tend to do half day excursions, interspersed with a few all day trips.
Viator
Viator.com is our go to site. We have had some wonderful experiences with them. On the rare occasion we have booked our excursion/s before traveling. For instance, there may be a “must see” place that is very popular. Most times, we do the research on Viator, travel to our destination and inquire about similar options locally. Most times we end up booking on Viator. The possible downside is that you may miss out due to not booking early enough. Having said that, we have hardly ever missed out on that score.
The good thing about this site is that it has scores of options. Options range from city tours, wine tasting, cookery, boat excursions, adventure trips all day tours to nearby locations in the area and much more. The quality of the guides we have encountered have always been great. In other words, you could not go wrong if you use Viator.com!!
The Hotel Concierge
We always make it a point to spend some time with the hotel concierge. We have found them to be in possession of immense local knowledge.
Hotels usually tend to have arrangements with excursion companies, local guides and more. Further, they are very helpful in sourcing guided private excursions. If you want a private vehicle with an experienced driver, then the hotel concierge is your best bet.
Further, the concierge to be very helpful on information on public transport, city passes, concerts and other value propositions. Also the concierge is your best source for directions. Last but not least, using hotel resources will mean that your safety is more or less assured.
Deciding Where To Eat
We are very much into food. Also, we like to taste the local cuisine wherever we travel to.
First and foremost, we tend to get all the information we can on the various local dishes. We end up jotting down the names of the most popular and sought after choices. We then refer to this list when it comes to making our eating decisions.
You do not have to pan all your meals ahead of time. We urge you to be adventurous. If your destination is famous for street food, go for it! Further, you never know what you may come across when strolling around!
We tend to have a very good breakfast and a hearty dinner! We know that this flies in the face of conventional wisdom that dictates you have a pauper’s dinner!! By spacing out our meals this way, we get the maximum enjoyment out of each day. Like most people, heavy meals make us lethargic.
Tripadvisor
This site has a list of the top restaurants in most cities and towns. We generally end up eating in 2 to 3 of the top 20 outlets as per Trip Advisor. These lists are compiled based on reviews.
Blog Posts
Blog posts are usually done by foodies. It is not unreasonable to expect that a foodie know his/her food!!
Another great source for information on where to eat. There is so much information on this platform.
The Hotel Concierge
The hotel concierge has always been an important source for us with everything to do with travel.
Planning Daily Logistics For Your Trip - Step 9
This depends a great deal on what you plan to do and eat, and booking additional transportation. We cannot overemphasize the importance of this step. Knowing all your options makes dealing with logistics that much easier.
Upon Arrival At Destination
Stress Of Arrival And Immigration Clearance
We have always found arrivals to be slightly stressful. It is especially the case if you are arriving at a location for the first time. It is totally different if you know your destination well from previous visits. Nevertheless the stress is always there! With experience over the years, we now tend to cope with arrivals quite well.
The important tip we have is that you do your research beforehand. Most countries’ immigration procedures are similar. Make sure you fill in your arrival form (if applicable) correctly and completely.
Customs Clearance Upon Arrival
Most jurisdictions have a customs clearance process as well. Again, if you are required to fill a form, ensure its completeness and accuracy. It is especially important to know what you can bring into any country and what you cannot. The internet will give you this information. It is of paramount importance that you adhere to these requirements.
The next important step is getting to your accommodation from the airport or other port of entry. Do your research and make sure you understand the costs typically associated with public transportation and taxis to/from the airport.
Various Forms Of Transportation
Public transportation is the cheapest. The flip side is that it can be inconvenient, especially if you have to make any transfers in transit and/or if your destination is quite a distance away from where you get off. Further, we do not recommend that you take this option if you do not speak the language at your destination.
It makes sense to book your airport transfer in advance. It can be the costliest option. Of course taxis are a very safe option. Make sure you get into official taxis, usually found at designated taxi stands.
Be Careful
You also should be aware that there are so many unsavory characters that hang out at airports that are waiting for gullible tourists that they can rip off! As a rule, we do not speak with anyone offering assistance once we get out of the airport. If you need any assistance, make you obtain it whilst in the airport. Most places have an information counter offering assistance services.
Transportation to Final Destination
Get Your Timing Right When Planning Trip
Make sure you plan your time right. This is especially so if you are joining an excursion. The ideal situation is if your pick up and drop off is from your hotel/accommodation. This will be so only if you are staying at central locations. If you have to get to some point to join your excursion, get proper directions and get there well on time. We usually build in a buffer of about 1 hour so that we make sure we do not miss out on anything. You never know what can happen!!
Few Additional Tips
Plan For Liesure Time When Traveling
Having loads of leisure time is important. On the one hand you can easily get lost. On the other hand, taking it easy is the best way to get the most out of anything you do!
Do not overload your schedule. As mentioned previously we tend to do half day outings, interspersed with full day activities. This is only if it is absolutely necessary, such as venturing out on long excursions. Further, if we do have the time we tend to take a couple of off days to laze around at our leisure.
Obtain Get Route Maps And Directions
If you are using public transportation, make sure you obtain or download a route map. Such maps are generally available at most places. Make sure you pan out your entire day’s trip before you venture out. If route maps are not available, we urge you to get proper directions at the outset. Usually hotel concierges are your most reliable source for such information.
Use More Expensive Options If Travel Budget Permits
If you are traveling a little more luxuriously, most cities provide the option for you to taxi or Uber about. You may even want to hire a private vehicle with a driver. It makes more sense to go with this option if you are traveling in a crowd. This way, the cost per person makes it almost comparable to other modes of transportation. Additionally, this option is the most flexible. You can generally do your “thing” at your own pace!! One more thing, make absolutely certain that your driver speaks your language before getting aboard.
Organize Details Of Your Trip - Step 10
This step is more of a background step. It has to be done for everything mentioned so far in this blog post.
This step entails documenting everything. You can do it in as much detail as you want.
Please download our “Ultimate Trip Planner” absolutely free! It Will Make Planning Your Next Trip A Breeze!
Of course you can design your own worksheet using the likes of Microsoft Word and Excel.
It is important that you have listed all the important information you need such as hotel address, flight details, timing of excursions, detailed itinerary etc.
Learn What To Expect When Traveling - Step 11
Cultural Norms You Should Know About
Learn about all the cultural norms applicable to the location/s you are visiting. This step has saved us from many awkward situations! At worst, some things may be considered criminal in certain jurisdictions such as kissing in public and ladies wearing short skirts!!
As the saying goes “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”!!
Apart from anything else, it is disrespectful not to follow the norms in any country you visit. Please remember that just because things are different somewhere else, does not mean that they are wrong.
Things You Need To Focus On
Greeting Norms
Do you kiss, and if so, do you kiss twice!! In some jurisdictions you have to bow to signify a greeting, whilst in others you may be required to put your palms together as a symbol of greeting.
Learn Language
Try and learn a few appropriate phrases in the destination’s language if it differs from yours. Simple phrases such as good day, how are you doing, thank you will do. Thankfully most people know some basic English in most destinations!
Show Respect
Show respect for personal space. We know that this goes without saying. It is always good to be empathetic and considerate.
Eating Food
For instance, in some countries food is eaten with the hand. Although it is not absolutely necessary to follow this custom, it would be great if you could. These simple gestures will usually endear you to the locals. Also, if you have any dietary restrictions, you need to know about this so that you could plan accordingly. For example, this may entail pre-ordering your food when on an excursion.
Queuing For Services
You may be pleasantly surprised to hear that in England, queuing for anything is almost a national obsession. Anyway, the practice of queuing is generally a norm in the western world. In some jurisdictions the concept of first come first serve applies. In some other places you may have to be slightly assertive to ensure you are served. As a cautionary note, please be as courteous as possible.
Observe Dress Codes
You need to be aware that a number of locations require you to dress very modestly. This usually means covering your legs and arms. As with everything else, do your research before the start of your trip. This aspect is especially important to ensure that you pack accordingly. Another thing, please observe the dress code in restaurants before getting there. Further, it must be noted that dress codes in places of worship are very strictly enforced.
The Importance Of Safety
Safety is such an important consideration. Having peace of mind is so very important. You are bound to enjoy more if you know that you are safe. This is the reason that it is vital that you are well versed on the safety of the locations you travel to.
For starters we recommend that you surf the internet for any travel advisories pertaining to your intended destination. Further, you should look out for advisories for the region you will be visiting as well. When reading up on advisories, you should always be aware of the political nuances, depending on the country that is publishing the advisory. We have frequently relied on forums, such as the ones on Trip Advisor for an unbiased take on safety.
You should bear in mind that there are no go areas even in so-called safe destinations. As you are well aware, there are seedy parts in any city. Again, the internet, as well as inquiries from your friendly concierge will get you the requisite information on areas to avoid.
Take The Following Steps To Ensure Your Safety Whilst Traveling
- Avoid walking on lonely streets, especially at night time.
- Do not carry all your cash and credit cards whenever you go out. Instead, leave them in the safety box in your room.
- The above also applies to carrying your valuables. In fact, it would be great if you do not take along valuables such as expensive watches and jewelry when you travel.
- Do not make it obvious that you are a tourist when you walk about. Act as if you are sure about yourself and that you know your surroundings.
- Get all your directions from the hotel. Try and avoid stopping strangers on the road to ask for help.
More Safety Considerations
- Make sure you securely lock your door at your accommodation whilst you are indoors. Of course, also lock doors on your way out too!
- Always use official taxis and other official modes of transportation.
- Ensure that the folks back home know where you are at all times. We always leave a detailed itinerary with someone back home.
- Do not ever travel without travel insurance. You never know what could happen when you are on the go. Losses and costs arising from missing flights, losing your baggage, emergency medical expenses and theft are just a few of the unexpected losses that are covered.
Decide On What To Pack When Planning Trip - Step 12
Making sure you take everything you need to take on your vacation matters a great deal. Imagine not taking your hiking/walking shoes on a predominantly hike-based trip!!! Better yet, forgetting to take your camera!!! We have had many painful experiences on this score over the years. There is no substitute for being able to tick off items from a checklist.
We give below some of the considerations to make sure you do not forget anything
Weather
Are you traveling to a hot climate? Is it a cold and windy location? The climate prevailing at your destination will to a large extent determine what clothing and accessories to pack.
Trip Duration
The quantity of what you take is somewhat proportionate to the duration of your trip. Please remember that there are clothes washing facilities and laundries everywhere! Further, remember that you will most probably not meet the same person twice whilst traveling. Consequently, do not worry about wearing the same outfit more than once. Try and take clothing that you can mix and match.
Cultural Norms
We covered this topic before. There are accepted norms of what to wear in most places around the world. You need to respect local customs at all times.
Packing Light
The need to pack lightly is another lesson we have learnt from our frequent travels. The hassle of dragging around a whole lot of unnecessary items is simply not worth it. In addition, you need room to take back souvenirs and gifts for the folks back home.
Packing Your Carry-On Bag
This important aspect of packing is often forgotten. One can readily see the importance of having the following in hand at all times; reading glasses, cash, credit cards, essential medications and cell phone!
Please see our separate blog on this subject here.
Further, please download our checklist of items that should be in your carry-on bag here.
Summary - Planning A Trip
We sincerely hope that the foregoing will assist you in planning all your forthcoming trips. Some of you may choose not to use the detailed steps advocated in this blog post. If urge you to at least consider all of the topics covered when thinking about traveling. The name of the game is to have a blast. Realizing that you have overlooked an important step may make the difference between a lousy and memorable experience.
We wish all of you happy travels!!
We have summarized the easy 12 step guide on Planning A Trip covered in this post below.
Decide when to travel – Step 1 – this should be your starting point. Not everyone has the luxury of traveling anytime.
Decide where to go – Step 2 – do this well in advance.
Book your flights – Step 3 – do this in a timely manner. Timing will depend on your destination to a great degree.
Identify your travel philosophy – Step 4 – identify your likes and dislikes when it comes to traveling. This way you will tend to enjoy traveling to the maximum.
Make your travel budget – Step 5 – You need to do what you can afford!
Research entry requirements – Step 6 – the last thing you need is to be denied entry at the border!!!
Decide where to stay – Step 7 – be guide by your travel philosophy and budget to make the optimum decision.
Identify and book activities – Step 8 – This is often the fun part of planning a trip.
Plan daily logistics – Step 9 – Be prepared and avoid the stress of arriving in a brand new country. Do your research well on this aspect.
Organize your trip details – Step 10 – Put it all together! Documenting your trip details is so vital!
Learn what to expect – Step 11 – Read up on the cultural norms and the safety situation of your destination beforehand. Be prepared and plan accordingly.
Pack appropriately – Step 12 – Make sure you take everything you need and avoid over packing.
Once again, we wish all of you, Happy Travels!!
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