There is always so much to consider when planning a trip- from the destination, to the accomodations, to activities, and more. Making the right plans can be the difference between a disastrous trip and the best trip ever. 

What kind of trip do you want to have? This is the best first decision you can make. Do you want your trip to be relaxing or adventurous? Do you want to explore a big city or a small town? Come up with a small list of possible destinations based on the type of trip you’re looking for.

Once you have your list of contenders, head over to Google Flights and check out what flight prices are looking like for the various places on your list. This can help to narrow down your decision based on the budget you have.

Once you have your destination in mind, its time to get a better understanding of the place you’ll be visiting. I recommend to do this before making any other decisions. 

You can research your destination by reading articles online, looking through Trip Advisor, or checking out travel vlogs on YouTube. Make a list of the activities that sound most interesting to you.

Enter the location of each activity into Google Maps. See which activities are near one another and plan to visit those on the same day. Once you’ve grouped your activities together by location, you will have a better idea of what each day will look like and how much you can accomplish each day.

A good rule of thumb is to have two activities planned per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This can vary based on the aniticipated time you’d like to spend at each spot. If you have more than two big activities per day on your list, I recommend either adding an extra day to your trip, or eliminating some options. You can always keep some activities as back-ups or alternatives as your plans change.

Finding a local tour guide may also be something to consider. They can provide insight, guidance and persceptive that may be otherwise missed. Local tours can be a great option, as well, at providing transportation that would be difficult otherwise.

This step is farther down the list intentionally. Once you know what you’d like to be doing each day of your trip, you’ll have a better idea of where you’d like to stay. While there can be a number of factors that go into choosing the right accomodations, location is one of the biggest.

More often than not, you’ll want to stay near the majority of the activities you’ll be doing or at least near a good transportation option.

Note: If you’re looking for a more relaxing trip, the hotel may be the part of the trip you choose to splurge on, as you’ll be spending more of your time there.

A great place to start when looking at restaurants is researching what regional dishes your destination is known for and choose a few to try. Some great places to check would be YouTube, online articles, and Trip Advisor. 

Try to find a few options nearby the area you’ll be in each day. If you’re visiting major tourist attractions, look for restaurants nearby that are more off the beaten path. Restaurants directly near major tourist attractions will often not have the greatest food.

Some places may require a reservation, like a nice steakhouse for a special occasion dinner. But try to limit the number of dining reservations to keep your schedule flexible. Have your list of options with you while you’re exploring each day, so you aren’t scrabbling to find a good restaurant while you’re hungry. 

Your trip can be more interesting if you mix up the type of activities you do. After the third or fourth museum or church you visit, they may start to all look the same. Narrow your list down to your top picks for each attraction type, based on what would be best for your traveling party.

Consider how you may be feeling on any given day. If you have a day full of activities planned, try keeping the next day a bit light. On your arrival day, choose an activity to stay awake and fight the jetlag, but one that won’t be heartbreaking to miss if your flight is delayed.

Look at the operating hours for the attractions you want to visit. Some places may be closed on certain days or earlier in the day than you were expecting. It may also be easier to book tickets in advance online rather then stand in a long line the day of.

Look to see what documents may be needed for the destination or attraction you’re visiting, as well as a dress code to keep in mind while packing.

Determine the best transportation options for each day. If you prefer a rental car, book in advance. If using public transportation, look for the route you’ll be taking ahead of time.

Inevitably, plans will change. Flights get delayed, weather can change, etc. Some of the most rewarding travel experiences can be unexpected. Treat your itinerary as a general outline, but stay open to whatever you may find along the way.

Have more questions? Set up a consultation with me. I can walk through any planning struggles you may be having or setup an itinerary that works for your family. Happy travels!