There are trips that are planned and for which you save for months, others, on the other hand, arise from spontaneous decisions and the excitement of a moment. What is certain is that all trips are made for adventure, relaxation and fun. If you plan well, you can be sure, even before leaving, that you and your family will have an experience free from anxiety and setbacks!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Choosing When, Where and How
Step 1. Choose the location
As a rule, when people think to themselves that they want to go on a trip they have a place in mind. Where is yours? Try to make it as specific as possible. "London" is much easier to plan than "England".
- Search for the ideal place on the Internet and discuss with your travel companions. The web is a great place to browse photos, videos and travel diaries posted by real people to share your experiences. For example, before you go to Japan, do your research - you will find lots of stories and advice from people who have been to Japan recently. Each trip offers you connected experiences of real people, which allow you to have a more precise picture of the place you want to visit.
- Focus on the weather and climatic conditions, the advantages and disadvantages of a specific location, the leisure activities available (beaches, theaters, shops) and the quality of services (transport, restaurants, etc.). What are the most appropriate clothes for the location you have chosen? How far will you be from civilization? What does your destination require?
Step 2. Choose when you want to go
This factor will be determined by multiple things, mainly your busy schedule. How much time can you spend away from work? In addition to your constraints, consider some more global factors:
- Do you want to travel in the low season or while tourism is at its peak? The low season allows you to save money, but also comes with some closed doors and reduced availability.
- Regarding the climate, do you want to face winter temperatures or the wet season? Or do you prefer the heat and the mugginess?
- And then there are the ticket prices; if the trip requires a flight, when are the best fares applicable?
Step 3. Plan an approximate itinerary
Being too precise can be a disadvantage, as trips never go exactly as planned. Leave room for spontaneity, then, but remember some of the key tips you've read. Use the tourist guides and write down the places to visit and things not to be missed. How many days do you have available? You should always have in mind the general idea of the program you have done - avoid getting tired or bored.
- Create a list. Write down all the places you want to visit, including restaurants, museums, shopping malls and any other places of interest to you. By doing this, you will avoid feeling completely disoriented and not knowing what to do as soon as you arrive at your destination.
- Include how you intend to move. Does your itinerary include taxi rides? The use of the subway? Hiking? If you intend to use public transport, make sure you have all the necessary information.
Step 4. Choose whether to book through an agency or through the web
Some of the immediate savings in planning a trip you could get by using an online travel comparator to research and plan your adventure. Be aware that travel agencies may have to charge additional fees for their service. It is also true, however, that travel agencies often have flight seats, hotels and quotations reserved for this sales channel, as well as having a guarantee, protection and assistance system that you would not actually find on the web. All details that must be taken into consideration, in both cases.
- As for the "planning" phase, if you go to the United States try using Gap Travel Adventures, Get A Trip.com, Automobile Club of Southern California Travels Division (there is one for each of the 50 states) or American Express Corporation. As for real bookings, however, you can turn to giants such as Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz.com and Priceline (the leading companies in the sector, at least in the United States).
- The five things you can do to help yourself and your budget are as follows: 1) Book your flight together with your hotel 2) Choose flights during the week and avoid rush hours 3) If you can, avoid the main airports and choose those that are within a radius of 50 km from your destination 4) When possible, choose the "all inclusive" rates, usually including meals and any tips 5) Avoid the high season to save 30-40% on shopping total.
Part 2 of 4: Understanding Logistics
Step 1. Estimate your costs
Are you planning to bathe in champagne in the tub of a five-star hotel? Or to stay in hostels with a loaf of bread in your pocket? Much of the cost of a vacation hinges on your spending decisions. Take an hour or two to understand how much your trip will cost you and your fellow adventurers. You will need to include the area fare and fuel costs.
- Always add an unexpected quota, better to overestimate than underestimate. There are costs that are almost impossible to predict and things you didn't know you wanted to do.
- If the amount exceeds what you want, make cuts where possible. If you need to shorten your stay, do it.
Step 2. Plan a budget
Let's say you have assumed that your trip will cost 1500 €, including airfare. Six months to go. This means that you will have to save € 250 a month for the next six months in order to be able to meet the costs of your trip. Here are some ideas you can start saving from:
- Give up the daily cappuccino. A daily expense of € 1.50 involves an outlay of approximately € 45 per month. Starting today, you can save € 270 in six months.
- Eat at home more often. The restaurants are great, but expensive. By cooking at home, you can save money not only because it is cheaper, but also thanks to the leftovers that you can consume in the following days.
- Ditch the luxuries for a while. That last drink on Saturday night? Forget it. Cinema next week? Look for something on cable. Notice how many little things can be considered superfluous yet funny.
Step 3. While saving, do your research
By planning your trip in advance, you can save on prices by doing your research and identifying possible offers, both for flights and for your stay. Browse the web for tips and things to do and find out more about the destination you are about to visit. By learning more details, you will know where to look for the best offers, relating to entrances to museums, hotels, transport, etc. When you come across a good opportunity, grab it!
- Airline fares are said to have to be booked two months in advance to get the best price; that is the moment in which the airlines begin to reduce their prices to increase sales, without yet imposing the increase linked to the possibility of a last minute purchase.
- If the chosen location for your trip involves the use of a different language, take the time to learn or brush up on the basics. You'll be glad you did, and so will the people you interact with.
Step 4. If possible, get a travel credit card
To date, many credit cards are associated with major airlines. They offer mileage bonuses in exchange for a registration, as well as miles for every euro spent (some have a monthly minimum, however). You can use them to pay for everything, accumulating more miles as you do so. But make sure you have the money you need to pay off your debt.
Many airlines also partner with major retailers, including Amazon and Apple. By buying from their stores, you will earn miles. Since you would make your purchase anyway, why not take advantage and accumulate more miles as well? In time, you may get a free flight
Part 3 of 4: Making Your Plans Final
Step 1. Make your reservations for flights and stays
When you are sure exactly where you want to go and when you want to go, where you want to stay and how you want to move, book! As mentioned, book your flights two months in advance. And don't wait until the last minute to book hotels too; you don't want them to fill up or for the best deals to run out.
Also buy the other additional services. Many attractions have an online ticket resale, allowing you to skip the line. Of course, now the idea of waiting in line doesn't seem so unpleasant to you, but for three minutes of current work you can save whole hours of vacation otherwise spent waiting in the company of strangers, wishing you had decided otherwise
Step 2. Consider travel insurance
While you don't want to pay staggering amounts for something that may not happen, you should still have some protection in case you are unable to travel in the booked period. On average, an insurance covering a week's holiday will cost around 50 euros. That's not much considering the security offered.
Only you know if you are among those who often change their minds, or who often have to revise their programs; or if you are a person who would take off at all costs, even during a hurricane
Step 3. If you are planning a trip across national borders, make sure your documents are in order
Some states require an entry and exit visa from the country. Does your destination require one? If so, get it as soon as possible? If any obstacles arise you will have to say goodbye to your trip. Without the necessary visa, with the exception of states that accept cash bribes, you will be forced to back off and board the first flight that can take you home.
Put your passport, visas and other similar documents in the same purse, safe. It is best to make a photocopy of each document and keep it in a safe place. It will be easier to replace them if you lose them
Step 4. Tell someone about your departure
Tell a friend or relative and, if possible, leave them a phone number or contact address. If something goes wrong on both sides, you can count on your mutual help.
If possible, plug in the answering machine and set up an auto responder for emails. Those messages will have to wait until your return
Part 4 of 4: Organizing the Details
Step 1. Buy everything you need
Take care of the digital camera batteries. Do you have the correct adapter for the country you are going to visit? Do you have the right equipment for the climate? Do you have a tour guide? A vocabulary? Make sure your journey is free of unwanted hitches.
Will you have to travel by car? Bring enough distractions with you, as well as food and water. A destination or route related CD is perfect to get you in the mood. Choosing appropriate music is another must, for example "On the Road," "Lost in My Own Backyard," "A Walk Through the Woods," or "Washington Schlepped Here," among others
Step 2. Travel light
No one traveling has ever said to themselves "I'm so glad I brought pretty much my entire closet with me." Leave space for shopping and souvenirs. Also, remember that traveling with a lot of luggage restricts your movements and causes inconvenience; you will have to move a lot, and the luggage will only be bulky. Bring only the essentials with you.
- Pack are the basic pieces and two pairs of shoes; it will really be all you need in terms of clothes, whatever the length of your trip. A few t-shirts or shirts and pants, and a pair of shorts or a skirt will suffice. You can combine and match them according to your needs.
- Roll up your clothes when you pack them. You will save a lot of space.
Step 3. Go
Itinerary? Check it out. Passport and documents? Check it out. Reservations of each of the services? Check these too. All that's left for you to do is leave and enjoy. This is the easiest part. Now it's time to relax.
Don't be tempted to carry work or problems with you; otherwise all this planning will have been of no use, and mentally you will feel like you have never left. Leave your computer and phone turned off; now all you have to do is explore and let yourself go on an adventure
Advice
- When planning a trip budget has to be your number one priority, there are literally hundreds of ways you can really save hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
- If reviews from other travelers are more important to you than rates, use sites like Trip Adviser.com or visit popular blogs like Budget Travel and Travel Zoo.com and you'll be sure to find valuable information. For Europe, try using Auto Europe.com, which offers advice on everything, not just which cars to reserve. The Asian market, on the other hand, is perhaps the one that offers the largest number of valid alternatives. The only reason I'm only listing the biggest names is that, according to Forbes Research, many small sites often delete negative reviews, thus giving an incorrect report on the quality of their services. This, however, does not mean that you should exclude all minor sites a priori, just be careful and that your research takes into account all the key factors. To be sure, many small companies offer benefits that the big ones don't.
Warnings
- Traveling can be a hectic and unpredictable experience. If you are leaving for a new destination, make sure you have all the medicines you might need (especially for children). Also, always keep your documents safe. Travelers are often the victims of theft.
- Do not put blades or sharp objects in the suitcase. Airport security officers are very thorough and may flag your baggage as suspicious and have it checked.
