How to Plan a Trip

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Looking to book a trip but you're not sure where to start? Planning a trip could be a little overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. I'm here to give you a step-by-step guide on how to book and plan the perfect trip.

In this post I will cover the following: how to pick a destination, book your flight, research your destination, build an itinerary and book accommodation.

1. PICK A DESTINATION:

You're probably thinking 'this is the easy part, I will go where I want to' but it isn't always the case. There are are a few things to take into consideration when choosing a destination.

  • Budget: This is the first thing you should consider when planning a trip. No matter your financial situation you should have an idea of how much you can spend on your trip before you start planning. Take into consideration that not always a destination that has cheap flight means it is the cheapest option because the flight itself could be somewhere between 5%-50% of your budget, depending on many things. How do you find out if the destination you want to go to in on your budget? Ask google! Usually we type the destination + amount of days + daily cost and google gives us an estimated number. If you know someone who has been to the destination I would ask them too. You could also know based on the currency used in that destination. For example, countries that use Euro are usually more expensive.
  • Safety: whether or not you're traveling solo, with a spouse or with friends, you should always check to see if the country you desire to visit is safe.
  • Covid-19: Covid has been a major part of our life since 2020 and has affected the way we travel drastically. It is very important to check the destination you are looking at and see what their requirements are. Some countries ask for PCR test 24/72 hours before flight, some demand isolation for a time period and some ask for none of these.
  • Weather: check to see what the weather is like during the dates you would like to visit. You could do so by checking Accuweather. It shows what it was like last year and then estimate what the weather would be like during the dates you want to.

2. BOOK YOUR FLIGHT:

You've decided on a destination, mazal tov! Let's book a flight! Here are some of our tips on how to book the cheapest flights:

  • Incognito: Use your browser in Incognito mode in order to get the best prices. When you're searching for flights, the more you search for it, the more the fare price increase. Why is that? It is due to the cookies in your browser. While using incognito the website isn't able to track your search and therefore the prices don't increase.
  • Where to book: We use Skyscanner.com (this is our first option) use Skyscanner to find flights and once we find a flight that fits us we then check it on the site directly with the flight company or on Edreams and Kiwi.
  • Be flexible: It's easier said than done, especially if you've got a 9-5 job during the week, but avoiding holidays and weekends are key for finding a cheap flight. Our favorite thing about Skyscanner is the option to search for flights 'Anywhere' and 'cheapest month'. You can find really great deals when doing so.
  • Book in advance: Some destinations will be cheaper the earlier you book the flight since most airlines will increase their fare prices as your departure date approaches.
  • Book a flight with a lay-over: Direct flights always cost more. There are those who prefer direct flights but there are a few great reasons why you should consider a layover. In addition to it being cheaper, if you're traveling far, this gives you some time to get some fresh air and stretch your legs. Long layovers: long layovers could be a great way to explore another destination on the way to your final destination. Many airports have lockers or hotels where you can rest/leave your luggage in and then you can go and explore the city you're in.
  • Fly with budget airlines: Budget airline (low cost) are a great way to fly for cheaper.

 

Yay, you booked a flight! How exciting! What now?

3. RESEARCH:

First thing you're going to want to do is research about the destination you're going to. There are a few places to search for information; Pinterest & travel blogs, Instagram, Facebook, TripAdvisor, and YouTube. My favorites are travel blogs and Instagram.

  • Pinterest & Travel blogs: Pinterest is a great way to find the best blogs. All you need to do is use key words that describe what you're looking for and you get the best results. For example: Hidden gems in Vienna, where to eat in Vienna, day trips from Vienna.
  • Instagram: Instagram is a real help while planning trips. You could search for the destination through hashtags or location and find posts from travelers who have been to your destination. Instagram is a great way to find hidden gems.
  • Facebook: Did you know that almost every city has a Facebook group for travelers? By joining these groups you not only have access to information but you are also able to ask questions and get answers from fellow travelers who are in the group.
  • TripAdvisor: Another great tool to look for recommendations from fellow travelers.
  • YouTube: YouTube is a different world because you can find really great travel guides here that include visuals footage of the destination you're looking to visit. Sometimes it can really help to see the place you are going to before you go.

4. DECIDE WHAT YOU MUST-SEE:

After you've done your research decide what is important to you to see in the destination and what you are willing to give up on. Remember! Not everything that suits one person means it's what suits you. It is important that you do what you think will interest you.

5. BUILD AN ITINERARY:

You've made it until here, great because my next tip is the best one.

This is a tool that Dan taught me and I perfected. Once you have all the places you want to visit and see I insert them all into google maps so I can get a better understanding of where everything is located.

How to create a personal itinerary map via Google maps:

Head on over to google maps click Menu (three lines) then 'your places' then click on 'Maps' and down below it'll say 'Create map!'.

You can then enter all the places you want to see into that map.

Once you've gathered everything into your map it'll be easier to create an itinerary for yourself.

6. BOOK ACCOMMODATION:

Once I have an idea of what our itinerary will look like and I'm looking for a place to stay, I google the best places to sleep in the destination in order to narrow down the location. Then I look at hotels/Airbnb's in the area that have great reviews. Reading reviews is important because sometimes places look nice but you read the reviews and understand otherwise.

7. GET TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Don't ever fly without travel insurance. It's only a couple of Dollars a day and it can save you thousands of Dollars in case of a medical emergency.

It is important to understand that the medical insurance you have in your country doesn't apply to your travels therefore it is important to get travel insurance.

It is really important to focus on the medical issue and our baggage and less on other things that are usually insurance attempts to add in order to make money off you.

Of course today one has to make sure that everything related to Corona is covered in terms of insurance.

Elizabeth xxx

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