It goes without saying that planning a new travel adventure is not the easiest thing in the world. There are so many aspects that you need to pay attention to and prioritize if you are looking to create your own itinerary. Sometimes, it can even get overwhelming with all of the details surrounding everything. Below are some major tips I have from my own experience with planning and booking my trips.
Do Your Research!
Definitely do your homework when it comes to the country you are visiting and what is has to offer! I recommend looking into the culture and what is considerate to the locals in regards to clothing, mannerisms, etcetera. You can even learn their native language so that communication is easier once you're there! On top of this, it is smart to look up if there are any required/recommended vaccinations to get up-to-date on before traveling to prevent illnesses. All in all, have fun learning more about the country you are heading to!
Plan! Plan! Plan!
The main objective when I book a trip is the flights and hotels/hostels. You obviously need a way of traveling to wherever you are going as well as a safe place to rest. I personally like to research how far the airport is from my desired hotel so that I can account for the cab ride and fare. With excursions or daily trips as well, it does not hurt to see how far everything is from you hotel so that you are prepared and punctual. We usually book the flights/hotels around 6+ months before, then excursions a few months later. This leaves us extra time to further research any other bucket list items we may have forgotten about.
Keep Track of Important Items
Easiest bullet point on this list is to make sure you are keeping track of all important belongings! That goes for money, ID, tickets, and your passport! Do not leave these items loosely in a backpack or suitcase, keep them in a specified pocket in your bag or on your person. I even check a few times everyday to ensure that I know where these items are so I don't worry. Especially for the passport as you NEED that if you want to leave the country you are in at some point without issue.
Do Everything You Want, But Leave Time for SLEEP
If you have read any of my past blogs, you will know the main thing I failed at planning wise is SO trivial. YOU NEED YOUR SLEEP! I tend to get overexcited and plan as many to-do activities as I can, but I would do so by booking early morning endeavors everyday where we would not get back until late at night. This resulted in the worst exhaustion I have EVER experienced due to lack of rest. (I may still not have learned my lesson because to me it can be worth it, however, please give yourself one or two buffer days to relax and move slower.) Otherwise you can end up like me who woke up extremely sick in Ireland and since we did not have any wiggle room in our itinerary, we had to miss out on an entire day full of exploring castles. Get your sleep!
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone!
Do not be afraid to experience everything! I always tend to get more anxiety once we are close to our trip (hence why I book everything far in advance so I cannot let myself back out). Not only leaving the comfort of home, but even daring experiences like bungee jumping, water rafting, etcetera can be so scary at first. Though, as they say: "Life is found at the end of your comfort zone." Never be afraid to chase your dreams and experience everything there is to do! You will never regret it, but you will regret the opportunities you didn't take!
Take the Pics, But Be in the Moment Too
At every major tourist attraction, you will see nearly everyone with their cameras and phones up over their face. While it is highly recommended to capture these amazing moments and how you are in them, remember to remove the technology after as well so that you can truly enjoy the moment for you! Take in those amazing times with your own eyes too, breathe, and just be present.
Enjoy the Ride!
Like I stated in the beginning, planning a trip with all of the minor details can be overwhelming. And sometimes, not everything will go according to the plan you have laid out. Someone may get sick one day or an activity may get cancelled, but everything is meant to happen for a reason. There will always be bumps on the road, metaphorically and even physically, but those bumps can make your stories even more memorable. Make the most out of every day you have and enjoy the ride!
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