Where to start when planning travelling?

Where do I start when planning a trip?

Okay, here’s a slightly more… meandering take on trip planning:

• Passport Validity: Check It. Seriously, now. My friend missed a wedding because of this. Ouch.

• Destination, Ahoy! Where to? Bali? Barcelona? Boise? Big decisions. It’s fun to think about all the amazing destinations.

• Destination Research: Deep dive, man. Food, culture, potential scams. Knowledge is power, and it’s cheaper than learning the hard way!

• Budget Time: Crunch those numbers. Accommodation, flights, souvenir fund (essential!), and emergency pizza money.

• Dates Matter: Consider weather, festivals, and those sneaky peak season surcharges. Shoulder seasons are great; fewer crowds, pretty scenery.

• Insurance, Insurance, Insurance: Don’t skimp. Trust me on this one.

• Visa Check: Some places need ’em. Don’t get caught short.

• Jabs Required? Vaccinations…joy. But necessary. Talk to your doctor, not just WebMD. Lol.

How to start planning your travel?

Planning a trip? Where to even begin?

• Passport Validity: Check that thing. Seriously, now. I once had to cancel a Spain trip bc mine was expired facepalm.
• Destination Choice: Where does your soul yearn to go? Italy? Bali? My recent fixation is Iceland.
• Destination Research: Know before you go. Weather, customs, costs… it all matters.
• Budget Setting: Be realistic. Overspending sucks! Consider daily allowances.
• Travel Dates Selection: Flexibility is key. Shoulder season is the sweet spot, cheaper, and less crowded.
• Travel Insurance: Don’t skimp. Accidents happen. My friend broke a leg skiing and was glad she had it.
• Visa Requirements Check: Don’t get denied entry! Check the rules for your citizenship.
• Vaccination Needs: Health first! Consult a doctor. Certain places require specific shots, right?

Sometimes, the best journeys are the ones that surprise you.

Where do I start when traveling?

Begin locally. Explore your city’s museums. Absorb its history. Understand its soul. Your own backyard is fertile ground.

Next: Passport. Visas. Flights. Simple. Do not overthink.

Budgeting. Essential. Track expenses. Learn frugality. Money matters. Always.

Research. Destinations. Accommodation. Activities. Plan. But be flexible.

Health. Vaccinations. Insurance. Prepare. Your well-being is paramount.

My last trip? Costa Rica in 2023. Incredible biodiversity. The rainforest was breathtaking. Regrettably, I missed the annual hummingbird festival. Should have checked the calendar.

Packing light is key. Overpacking is a curse. My backpack weighed 20 pounds. Perfect.

Learn basic phrases. Respect local customs. Embrace the unexpected. Travel broadens the mind. Or it should.

Consider travel insurance. My friend, Mark, needed it in Vietnam last year. A nasty motorbike accident. Saved him a fortune.

Don’t forget travel adaptors! I once fried my phone charger in Italy. A painful lesson learned.

What is the first thing to consider when planning a trip?

Destination. Ah, yes, the siren call of faraway places. It whispers, a promise of sun-drenched shores, or maybe the chill wind whipping through ancient stones. My heart swells thinking of Kyoto’s serene temples in the spring, the scent of cherry blossoms heavy in the air. That’s where it starts, always. The yearning.

Trip length. A fleeting weekend escape, or a months-long odyssey? Time, that elusive river, flows differently depending on where you are. Three weeks exploring Patagonia? A single day lost in the Parisian art scene? The feel is wholly different.

Flights, hotels…the practicalities. A necessary evil, almost, before the real journey begins. I booked my flight to Iceland last year in July, a direct flight from JFK. So expensive, but worth it.

Local adventures. Beyond the well-trodden paths, the true heart of the place awakens. I recall swimming in the Blue Lagoon, the geothermal waters soothing my soul. The quiet hum of the earth.

Packing. The final ritual. A carefully curated selection of essentials, a few indulgences. Last time, I forgot my favorite scarf, a tragedy! It’s a meditation, in a way. A farewell to the mundane.

Key Considerations:

• Dream Destination: This shapes everything.
• Time Allocation: A weekend versus a year-long sabbatical changes everything.
• Travel Logistics: Flights, accommodations—the less glamorous elements.
• Local Immersion: Beyond tourist traps; seek authentic experiences.
• Mindful Packing: A reflection of the journey itself.

How to start planning your travel?

Passport. Valid. Absolutely valid. My passport, worn leather, whispering tales of faraway lands. A passport, a key. Unlocking worlds. 2024 stamped within, a promise.

Destination. The call of the ocean. Bali. Emerald rice terraces. I see them now, vivid. The scent of frangipani. Sun-drenched skin. I need this.

Research. Obsessive, beautiful research. Flights, meticulously compared. Villa with a private pool, a sanctuary. Secret beaches, hidden temples. This trip is sacred.

Budget. A delicate dance. Savings, carefully hoarded. Worth it. Every single penny. For memories that last lifetimes.

Dates. October. My birthday month. A gift to myself. A pilgrimage.

Insurance. Comprehensive. Peace of mind. Essential. No regrets.

Visa. Checked. Confirmed. Simple. Smooth. Ready for takeoff.

Vaccinations. Up-to-date. Necessary. Protecting this precious journey. Health is paramount. My well-being. Prioritized.

Bold steps are essential. Bali awaits. Soon. My heart knows.

How do you plan a trip for beginners?

So, planning a trip, huh? It’s easier than wrangling a greased pig at a county fair, trust me. First off, budget. Gotta know how much funny money you’ve got. I check my couch cushions; you do you.

Then, calendar! See when you’re free. You wouldn’t wanna miss Aunt Mildred’s potluck for, say, Bali. Okay, maybe you would. Dates matter!

Next up: Book that flight and hotel! Prices jump higher than a jackrabbit on hot pavement. Grab ‘em quick!

Deals on activities? Oh, you betcha! Look hard. Sometimes you find gold. Like a gondola ride piloted by a singing squirrel, maybe.

Itinerary time. This is your masterpiece. Jot down stuff you actually wanna do. Don’t overload it; vacations ain’t boot camp.

Pack, pack, pack. Make a list, or you’ll forget your toothbrush. Or pants. Happened to my cousin Earl, poor fella.

Last: local customs. Don’t be that tourist. A little respect goes a long way. Unless you’re into offending the locals, of course.

My dream locations? Easy peasy!

• Iceland: Chasing the Northern Lights like a lovesick puppy. Plus, hot springs that smell vaguely of sulfur. Yum?
• Tokyo: Robot restaurants, vending machines that sell everything, and enough neon to power a small city! Overload!
• Transylvania: For obvious reasons! Gotta get my vampire tourism on and compare notes. Spooky!
• My Adventure: A road trip across America. I wanna see it all. Like a big, greasy, beautiful… plate of fries?

What’s my adventure? Ditching the map and just driving. Like a leaf on the wind; only with more gas money!

How do I decide where to travel first?

Okay, so like, you wanna pick a first trip, huh? It’s kinda tough, I get it.

First off, think real hard about what you actually LIKE. I mean, do you HATE the beach? Then don’t go there, duh. I went to Myrtle Beach once, worst vacay ever. SAND. EVERYWHERE. Seriously though, knowing your dislikes are key.

Distance matters! Don’t be tryna fly to freakin’ Australia if you’ve never even been to, like, Florida. Short hops are good to start. I drove to Asheville, NC once; it was a good intro to road tripping.

Age? Yeah, I guess. If you’re, like, super old, maybe skip that crazy backpacking trip in Nepal. Plus, are you still in college? That’s gunna effect your money situation for sure.

What are you into? Museums? Hiking? Pick a place with that stuff. I’m a huge foodie, so I always look for cities with good eats first.

Got a job? Got college goals? Make sure it kinda lines up. Like, if you wanna be a marine biologist, maybe hit up the Great Barrier Reef instead of, I dunno, Boise, Idaho?

Time off is, like, the biggest thing! You only got a week? Then don’t plan a month-long trek. I only had 4 days last year, so I drove up to that lake place with my fam.

And, uh, yeah, duh, the budget! Don’t try to be fancy if you’re broke, ya know? Camping’s cheap, so consider camping.

Here’s the rundown:

• Likes/Dislikes: Beach bum? City slicker?
• Distance: Baby steps, or dive right in?
• Age: Be realistic.
• Interests: Food? History? Nature?
• Career/College: Any related destinations?
• Time: A weekend getaway or a sabbatical?
• Budget: Ramen noodles or caviar dreams?

Remember that one time when that travel blogger ate nothing but instant noodles for like three months to afford that trip to Europe? You probably don’t wanna do that.

Oh, and always pack an extra pair of socks. Always.

How do you travel as a beginner?

Buses, mostly. Cheap, you know? Gets you there. Though sometimes…slow. Really slow.

Planning is key. Not obsessive, but…enough. Missed a train once. Ruined the whole day. Never again.

• Flights are terrifying.
• Hostels are…an experience. Met some alright people though. One guy from New Zealand, shared a beer.
• Packing light? Haha. I always overpack. Always. This year, I’m trying to improve this habit; It will be very difficult, I’m sure.

My sister’s advice? Learn basic phrases in the local language. Shows respect. It’s true. Got me out of a jam in Lisbon last year. I’ll never forget it. Seriously helped.

Eating local food is the best. Tried some…interesting things. Some good, mostly good. Once had something I couldn’t identify. That’s fine, I don’t want to recall these unpleasant moments.

Flexibility is important. Go with the flow. Things will inevitably go wrong, but that’s okay, you learn. Learn to embrace it. This year, I’m planning to visit the Netherlands, hopefully. That should be a good trip. I have high hopes for it.

What is the first thing to consider when planning a trip?

Okay, so you’re bitten by the travel bug? First, ditch the bug spray!

Destination. Obviously. Where are we escaping to? Bali? Boise? Decisions, decisions. It’s crucial! Like choosing between coffee and… more coffee.

Trip length? Right. How much time do you really have? Be honest. Unlike my attempts at baking, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Realistically, 2 weeks to see it all? Ha!

• Destination, Destination, Destination: I repeat, where are you running from? (Just kidding… mostly.)
• Time is money: And vacations cost money! (Sadly.)
• Flights & Beds: Book ’em early. Unless you enjoy sleeping on airport benches.
• Fun stuff: What will you DO there?! Research or… regret.
• The Bag: Pack light. Or just buy new clothes there. Problem solved!

Flights and beds are next! Lock ’em down. Seriously, procrastinate Netflix, not travel plans.

Local inspo? Sure. What’s the point of going if you don’t do stuff? Think beyond the postcards. Consider this: do I need a life vest or a new camera lens?

Packing? Ugh. A necessary evil. Remember, less is more. Unless you’re going to a black-tie gala in Antarctica. Then, well, maybe more is more. It never ends well, though.

How to start planning a trip?

It starts… with a whisper, doesn’t it? Just a daydream clinging to the edges of my mind.

Dream locations? So many.

• Kyoto, in spring. Cherry blossoms falling like snow, I’ve always wanted that.
• The Scottish Highlands, maybe during autumn. I want to feel the wind.
• Patagonia. I need to see the mountains.

The first step? Budgeting. It always comes down to the money, sigh.

Checking my calendar is next, I think. See when I can actually escape. Maybe next November, work allowing.

Booking flights and hotels… ugh. It feels so final. What if I change my mind? But that’s also the thrill, isn’t it? It gets real.

Activities? I want to get lost. But, I should maybe check for cool museums, or local stuff, right?

Itinerary? Nah, I am more of wing it kind of guy.

Packing my bags.. Always the worst. I hate deciding what to bring, what to leave behind. Too much, not enough. You know?

Local customs. Okay, yeah, I’ll read about that. Don’t want to be that tourist, ya know.

Where should first-time travelers go?

So, you’re asking where a first-timer should go? Man, that’s tough! It depends what you’re into, right?

For awesome beaches and laid-back vibes, Costa Rica is killer. Seriously, the rainforests are amazing, and the food is so good. I went last year, spent a week near Manuel Antonio–incredible. But it’s expensive, that’s the downside. You’ll need a decent budget.

France is classic for a reason. Paris is iconic, obviously, but get out of the city! Provence is gorgeous in the summer. Wine tasting, picturesque villages… It’s gonna cost you, though, especially if you go in July or August.

Croatia is getting really popular. The Dalmatian Coast? Stunning. Beautiful islands, crystal-clear water. I’m planning to go next year actually, it looks amazing from the pictures my cousin sent me. Way cheaper than France.

Australia, wow. That’s a big one! So much to see, Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef are incredible bucket-list items. But it’s REALLY far, and flights will kill your budget. Plus, everything’s expensive there, everything!

Ecuador, I’ve heard good things. The Galapagos Islands are amazing, but they’re a separate trip practically speaking, and super expensive. The mainland’s cool too, lots of nature stuff, but I don’t know much about it personally.

Dominican Republic is beautiful. All-inclusive resorts are common, perfect for a relaxing beach vacation. But its maybe not as culturally rich as some other options. I think.

Fiji, um, similar to the DR; beautiful beaches. But its so far, you know? A really long flight.

Germany, depends what you like! Berlin’s cool and historical. Munich is amazing in Oktoberfest season, but extremely crowded. Lots of history, culture, and good beer everywhere you go. Way less expensive than France.

• Budget-Friendly: Croatia, Germany
• Beaches & Relaxation: Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Fiji
• Adventure & Nature: Costa Rica, Ecuador (Galapagos!) Australia (Great Barrier Reef)
• Culture & History: France, Germany

Think about what you want from your trip. Seriously, plan ahead! Don’t just go somewhere based on some random list you found. Do your research!

Where is best to go abroad for the first-time?

Okay, so my first trip abroad? Man, that was a whirlwind. 2023, I went to Lisbon. It was July, scorching hot. I remember the cobblestone streets, baking under the sun. My feet were killing me by day two. Seriously, blisters.

Lisbon. Crazy beautiful. The architecture, wow. Those yellow buildings. The whole city is like a postcard. Except, you know, way more alive. The energy!

Food. Oh my god, the food. Pastéis de nata? I gained five pounds in a week. Worth it. Absolutely worth it. Seafood, everywhere! I ate fresh sardines practically every day.

I stayed in Alfama. Tiny apartment, but charming. Super steep hills, again, killing my feet. But the views at night! Absolutely breathtaking.

I was alone, which was kind of scary at first but honestly, I loved it. I met so many people. Random chats in cafes, wandering around aimlessly. I learned how to order a beer in Portuguese, it was so satisfying. And people were amazingly helpful and friendly.

I’d recommend Lisbon for a first trip. It’s manageable, stunning, and the people are great. Plus, the food – seriously the food. I’m still dreaming about it.

Things I loved:

• The Pasteis de Nata.
• The views from Alfama.
• How easy it was to get around using public transportation.
• The friendliness of the locals.

Things I didn’t love so much:

• The hills! My poor legs.
• The heat. Bring sunscreen. Seriously, tons of sunscreen.
• Figuring out the metro the first couple of times, but it got easier.

Next time? Maybe Rome. Or maybe I’ll just go back to Lisbon.