I once read that planning your travel is just as satisfying and rewarding as the actual vacation itself. At first I didn’t agree with this statement, but the more I plan for upcoming travels the more I find I really love the planning phase. It’s almost a game to find the best lodging deal, adventurous things to do or places to eat that your taste buds will be begging for more!
Key 1: Set Travel GoalsI’m a goal setter.I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions; I set short and long term goals.Since I love to travel one of my goals is to travel to all 50 states. I have been to 41 so far and accomplishing this goal doesn’t just happen.I have to have a plan. Having this goal also helps me determine each year where I want to travel.I have a second travel goal, and that is to get to somewhere warm for a week in the winter and it can’t be a place I have been prior. This February I’m headed to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and this summer I’ll be travel to beautiful Montana.What travel goals do you have?
Key 2: Create a travel budgetAs with anything that cost money you must have a budget and save. Or at least that is my philosophy.You shouldn’t go into debt for travels and if at all possible only spend what you have saved.If you haven’t saved enough maybe take a smaller vacation or skip a year so you can have the vacation of your dreams.If you have a budget it takes the financial stress away. It will also help determine what type of trip you can afford, your transportation, length of your stay and what activities you can partake in while on the vacation.Money for vacation is a line item in my monthly budget.Each month additional funds get added to my “travel” account for the next vacation.I also save my change and one dollar bills throughout the year that also go towards my vacation. I’m always amazed how much I save just by these simple actions that have turned into habits.
Key 3:Choosing ResourcesThere are thousands of travel resources on the web to help you plan your trip. So many, that it can be overwhelming.I have found that finding a couple that work and sticking to those trusty few will save your sanity.Here are a couple of the resources I recommend:
1. Pinterest: I love setting up boards for the places I plan on traveling. I love dreaming about the places I want to travel, and pinning pictures makes me feel like those travel dreams can come true.I recently traveled to Providence, Rhode Island and Mystic, Connecticut.I set up boards for each location and pinned places that would be cool to see and fun places to shop. It’s a visual that gets me excited about the trip, and there are usually links providing additional information about the place you have pinned. Check out my pinterest travel boards at http://www.pinterest.com/giftgiver/boards/
2. Trip Advisor: Find a trusted site that has reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do and use it as a guide when planning your vacation.I have stuck with www.tripadvisor.com because so far, in all my travels, it hasn’t failed me.I’ve also started to add my own reviews and was amazed at how many people also use Trip Advisor. In a few short years of writing reviews, I’ve had over 36,000 people read the reviews I have written.I always think there is power in numbers. When traveling to a new city, I log into trip advisor and make note of the top hotels, try to eat at a restaurant or two in the top five and definitely try out at least one of the “things to do” that was most recommended by reviewers.
Blessings and safe travels!Stephanie
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