So You're Thinking Of Traveling...
What a great idea!
A million adventures are out there waiting for you! Whether you want to spend a week sipping piña coladas on an exotic beach, or you want to trek in the jungle with a local guide, there is something out there for everyone! Its time to get away.
Where to start – so you’re thinking of traveling, but you are not sure even where to begin. Here are some basic questions to ask yourself while starting to plan your adventure!
1-Where are you going?
Picking a destination (or destinations) - lucky for us we live in a day and age where information is available at our fingertips. Are you looking for a luxury, relaxation retreat? An out of the box adventure? Are you looking to explore certain things like trekking, surfing, or an immersion in local food culture? There are a million directions to take your time off, and figuring out what kind of vacation or trip you’re looking for is key.
- One of my favorite places to start exploring travel options is Pinterest. Spend some time exploring the general travel pages, start a travel dream board, and see where your ideas become centralized. Pinterest is also a great key because of the simple access to a variety of websites and blogs that specialize in advice on certain regions. It is a fast, effective way to get some ideas about different parts of the world.
- Talking to people! Everyone loves talking about themselves, and asking around about favorite and dream destinations is a great way to get ideas about places you may enjoy as well!
- Make a list! Start centralizing your ideas for places. Slowly narrow down the list - take into consideration time, budget, distance of destinations, and other people you are traveling with. Start with a list of places and then keep cutting the list down until you have your perfect destination.
2- Who are you traveling with?
Are you going with a significant other? Or perhaps with family, friends, on a group tour, or solo? You want to discuss with other people going about destination, expectations, and travel restrictions. If you are traveling solo, but are uneasy, try websites like contiki.com that has planned itineraries and you get to be part of a group. It is a great introductory way to travel without the hassle of planning the details of your trip, while meeting people along the way.
3- How much are you going to spend?
Setting a budget – this will be key to exploring your options on where and when is the best time to travel for you. You can explore airfare pricing for different parts of the world, and see where it will be more cost effective to go that time of year. It is also important to look into the cost of accommodation in certain places. It is extremely important everyone in your group is on the same page budget wise. Make sure you have enough for roundtrip airfare, accommodations, food, daily activities, and emergency funds if something is to come up.
4- How long do you want to travel for?
Are you quitting your job and running away forever? Are you taking your two weeks? A month? It is key to figure out how long you’re able to travel for. This will then help set up your budget, and you can start looking into weather and different ideal destinations. Deciding how long you are able to travel is important in choosing your destination because you do not want to spend half of your time off on an airplane. Make sure you include flying days when taking into account distance you want to travel in short periods. Check the weather patterns of the area as well - the wet and dry seasons.
5- Do I have enough time to get the proper paperwork?
You'll need to check your passport! If you do not have one, you will need to check and see how long it will take to get one, and if it will arrive within your desired travel time. Check the expiration date on your current passport. Many countries will not issue a visa within a certain timeframe of expiration. You will also need to see if a visa is required for the country you are going to. They can usually be done electronically, and do not take to long for approval. Research travel restrictions and warnings for different countries. Get required vaccines if necessary.
So there you have it!
Keep a journal or note in your phone about ideas and answers to these questions so that you have a centralized area of your travel plans . Talk with people, explore the internet, and keep the inspiration going.
You got this. Now go out and see the world!
““Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” ”
