Tips for Planning a Successful Trip
Whether you’re planning a family vacation or need to get out of town, traveling can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Before you go, however, it’s essential to plan, especially if you’re bringing along little ones! Here are ten tips for planning a successful trip.
Organize your things
The one rule I live by when it comes to traveling is that less is more. Anything you pack should be something you can’t live without. So, before you start packing, make sure you organize your things into two piles: necessary and unnecessary. This will help you define what’s important and know exactly what to bring on your trip. These ten tips will help you keep in mind when planning your trip and get more information from Plannay Travel.
Research must-see spots
Whether traveling to a new city, returning to an old one, or exploring somewhere unfamiliar, make sure you research some of its most popular must-see spots. You don’t want to miss out on checking out key attractions. Getting in touch with your social network can be another good way to learn about local tips.
Your family and friends might not know what you want out of your trip, but it could help steer you in the right direction if they have suggestions for destinations and activities.
Before planning any trip, however, it’s essential to think through some basic logistics like where you’ll stay and how long you’ll be gone. Do yourself a favor: Make reservations well ahead of time.
Choose Your Meals Wisely
When you’re traveling, having to worry about what to eat is enough of a pain—that’s why you’re better off planning. When deciding where to dine, consider what kind of cuisine each restaurant serves and how healthy it will be. It’s also helpful to look up any menu online in advance and search out healthy options (if available).
Then, do your best to stick with your plan, even skipping an appetizer or dessert, which can often be packed with calories or fat. You might even save money by doing so! For example, apps like MyFitnessPal (which we highly recommend) help you track your food intake at restaurants.
Prepare for Vacation Time Off at Work
No matter where you work, it’s an important detail of traveling to set some time aside to plan your vacation and think about what you want to accomplish while on your trip. Because most people take two weeks off at a time, planning is essential if you’re going to be able to have an actual vacation instead of just visiting places or shopping.
Some great questions to ask yourself when you’re making plans include: What kinds of activities do I want to do? Where would I like to go? How many days would I like to spend there? What type of transportation should I take? The answers will help form an idea about what kind of trip you’d like to have and how much fun it will be!
Budget Well for International Travel
It’s hard to know how much a trip will cost in advance. And since you can’t take out your wallet at home and start paying for things, it might be tempting to overspend when you travel. Before you hop on that plane, give yourself some time to plan, so you don’t come back with more expenses than memories. Many resources can help: First and foremost, your bank—or even some credit unions—offer tools to track spending.
Choose Airline Seats Wisely
Most hotels and hostels require you to book at least 24 hours in advance. This gets you discounted rates and ensures that your accommodation is available when you arrive. I’ve been turned away from hostels, and hotels sold out because I waited too long to book.
The best way to make sure you have a place to stay is to book in advance. You can also try Airbnb or VRBO if interested in staying with locals instead of large chains (see below).
Book Accommodations in Advance
If you’re traveling with friends or family, look into securing a hotel room in advance. If it turns out your travel party changes in size, you can easily adjust your reservation online without worrying about price hikes at check-in time. Many hotels offer savings of up to 35 percent when you book three months ahead of time.
Use tools like HotelsCombined and TravelPirates to compare room rates. And when booking accommodations, don’t forget to check out hotel reviews on sites like TripAdvisor or Expedia to ensure that your stay will be comfortable and relaxing.
Know What to Pack and When to Pack It
I can’t stress enough how important it is to know what you need to pack before heading out on your trip. It sounds like common sense, but I see people making mistakes all of the time. I just went on a trip with my family, and my mom forgot one crucial thing (it wasn’t toilet paper…though she did forget that too!).
You don’t want to be digging through everything looking for something while you are supposed to be relaxing in a different time zone. And if it makes you feel any better, my mom blames me; I was helping her pack so she could write an awesome post about how to plan a perfect trip when we were together on our beach vacations!
Stay in Touch While You’re on the Road (or Water!)
Technology has made it possible to stay in touch with people. Many travelers rely on their smartphones to stay connected while they’re traveling. You can use apps such as Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, and FaceTime to communicate and connect with friends or family who are at home.
You might also consider bringing an unlocked cellphone with you to have more options when it comes to communicating. It’s also important to know what kind of coverage your phone will have where you’re going, as roaming charges could cost a lot of money if you aren’t careful!
Hit the Road!
You’ve booked your flight and hotel, but before heading out on that much-anticipated trip, consider these tips: Before you go. Make sure your passport is up to date. If you’re traveling by air, check your flight status ahead of time and consider picking up travel insurance in case of delays or cancellations.
It’s also essential to make sure any prescriptions you need are ready to go; being stuck without medication when you’re away from home can be stressful—and dangerous! On day one. Plan out your itinerary.
