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Taking a trip or vacation is a great way to decompress and relax — most likely, you’ll come back feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. After all, studies have shown that there are countless benefits of taking a vacation. Time away from work spent with people you love, or even vacationing alone, can positively impact your mental and physical health. Taking time to breathe and slow down allows the body to rest in ways it can’t while experiencing everyday stress.
Given the past year and a half of events, planning the trip of a lifetime is something more people are looking to do more than ever before. The pandemic caused people to cancel their trips and reconsider traveling in general. Travel as we once knew it is different, but thankfully, it’s starting to open up again (with a few changes, of course). Needless to say, it’s been a while since people have planned for a trip, and it’s time to brush up on what it takes to make an amazing trip happen.
Here are a few things to keep in mind in order to successfully plan the trip of your dreams:
Assess your budget
The first step in planning a trip is to come up with an idea of how you are going to fund it. The first step is to assess your budget and figure out what options are available to you. Using cash is always a great option as you don’t have to worry about additional credit card fees or foreign transaction fees if you’re traveling abroad. Other options include utilizing a credit card or a personal line of credit. When comparing a credit card and a personal line of credit, it’s important to understand the intentions and purpose of each. Credit cards are commonly used for short-term payments, while a personal line of credit is more often used for longer-term financing. Keep this in mind when determining which financing timeline suits your lifestyle when planning your big trip. With a personal line of credit, you are given a balance of funds to dip into during the draw period, which could be beneficial both while planning a trip or during the trip itself. Knowing a budget and having a plan of attack is a crucial first step of the process.
Research a destination
Once you have a budget in place, you can begin exploring destinations. If this is in fact the trip of a lifetime, ask yourself: “Where do I envision having the best, most memorable time?” Are you picturing yourself on a beach, in the mountains, or in a different country? Do you want your trip to be filled with adventures or relaxation? How far are you willing to travel? By asking yourself these questions, you’ll be able to narrow down destination options, so you can move on to the next phase of planning!
If you like visiting one place very often, it would be a good idea to get a timeshare so you’ll surely have a place to stay. Just make sure to consult a timeshare exit company to guide on cancelling your timeshare should you no longer need it.
Find accommodations
The next step in planning the trip of a lifetime is finding accommodations. Once you’ve determined the location, you can look into accommodation options. There are countless options as to where you can stay, whether it be a hotel, Airbnb, hostel, motel, condominium, or lodge. Each accommodation falls within a different price range and has a variety of benefits. As you look through the options, keep in mind the level of luxury you’re looking for, the distance of the accommodation in reference to the places you might want to explore, as well as the price point of each.
Book your travel
Whether you’re taking a long road trip in your car or a plane abroad, booking your travel is an imperative step. Finding the best prices, especially for flights, can be stressful. A CheapAir survey looked at how far in advance you should book your flights, and the ideal time is 47 days prior to the trip. For traveling internationally, you should book your flights about 90 days before your travel dates. For other forms of travel such as trains, you can do so as little as 24 hours before departure. Even if you plan on driving as your method of transportation, some planning should take place. Make sure your car is in tip-top shape before hitting the road. The last thing you want to deal with is a flat tire or having your brakes go out mid-trip!
Prepare to be away
Last, but certainly not least, a crucial part of planning is to make plans for life at home while you’re away. This means automating your bills, canceling your mail or organizing for a neighbor to hold it for you, hiring a sitter to watch your pet, and putting all your garbage out on the curb. The more chores you can take care of before you leave, the better you’ll be able to relax your mind and be present on your trip. Be intentional about this step of the process before you leave; it might feel overwhelming in the moment, but you’ll be glad you took the time to tidy things up when you return home!
Everyone deserves to experience the trip of their dreams, one they’ve been looking forward to for a lifetime. The planning process can quickly become cumbersome, but the moment you arrive at your destination you’ll have no regrets! Don’t forget to enjoy yourself: kick your feet up or plant them in some hiking boots, and have the time of your life!
No matter what stage you are at in the planning process, Chloe Johnston Experiences is here to help! Do not hesitate to reach out via email at info@chloejohnston.com or by completing the Contact Us form on our website to get started!