With the global lockdown that has resulted from the outbreak of the CoronaVirus, we are all looking forward to being able to travel again. Whether you are a fan of city breaks, beach trips, or action-packed adventures, it is really important to prepare well for your vacation. We all wonder how travel bloggers and Instagram celebrities always have the best pictures in the perfect spots. Well, wonder no more! The secret to a great trip is in the details and we have them all covered in this article. Here are our steps on how to plan the perfect vacation.
1. Pick the Best Dates
Every destination has its high and low seasons, and the first thing you should do is find out the optimum time to visit your chosen destination. This includes researching the weather forecast for different times of the year when you are free to travel. For example, if you are planning a beach vacation in South East Asia then you may want to avoid September as this is the heart of Monsoon Season. A good way to find quick tips on the best times to visit is to check out Wikitravel or Tripadvisor.
You may also want to avoid peak season or national holidays since your destination will most likely be overcrowded with locals and other tourists. There are some places which are great vacation destinations all year round and you can check out this page to find out about the different activities that you can do depending on the weather. Florida for example has amazing beaches that are perfect for sunny days, but because of the tropical climate, even when it’s raining, it is still warm in Florida, and so these are ideal days to hit up the amusement parks.
2. Compare Flights and Accommodation Prices
After narrowing down the week or month you will be traveling, you should get started early on flight and accommodation in order to get the best prices. A good website to compare flight costs is Skyscanner, and there are various sites to compare and book your dream accommodation such as Booking.com, Agoda, Airbnb. As a general rule, the earlier you book the cheaper it will be, and especially at peak times, you should book flights and accommodation as early as possible so that you don’t end up being disappointed.
Comfortable accommodation will help make your vacation all the more enjoyable so it’s always necessary that you book a place that suits your taste. There are so many different kinds of accommodation so whether you want to live like a local in a traditional homestay or live the life of luxury in a fancy resort, make sure you read all the available reviews and you will be able to find the perfect accommodation.
3. Create a Written Itinerary
After listing the sites and attractions that you want to experience on your trip, it’s time to look on Google Maps and group the attractions and sites that are close to each other. This will enable you to create an itinerary that makes the most out of your limited vacation time as you won’t waste too much time traveling back and forth to each place. Find out the best route to get from the airport to your hotel, from your hotel to your first attraction, from there back to your hotel and so and so forth. It never hurts to print out a public transportation map and bring it with you on your trip.
Once your itinerary is mostly complete, you can sit back and relax a little bit. You may want to start checking out if there will be any event or special things happening on the days you are visiting your destination. For example, if you are visiting Kyoto, Japan, you may want to check if it’s the month when they will have a Geisha show to the public, as Geisha performances are not done year-round. These are the “cherry on the top” activities that will make your trip all the more perfect. These activities often coincide with peak times so you will have to decide whether the extra crowds and hassle is worth it.
Once you are done with these tips, all you need to do is make a list of all the things you need to bring with you, including those special outfits that will make your pictures pop like the travel bloggers you previously envied! This will ensure that you have everything you need for your vacation so that you can enjoy it to the fullest! Follow these 3 crucial tips and they will help you plan your perfect vacation and create memories that will last a lifetime.
