Before-You-Go: Tips for Planning the Perfect Trip

By E-Travel ⋅ March 2, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

When the “‘Two Divas” are planning a trip there are certain steps we follow in order to make it the perfect vacay. The rules are unwritten, more like the natural order of things. After you follow them time and time again….steps fall out…and you begin to do the same thing all the time. Next thing you know you’re planning a trip and you don’t even know until one of those travel sites send you a deal that you THINK you can’t refuse.

1) Location, Location, Location. List several places you want to visit. When traveling on a budget sometimes the location you want to visit is not the most affordable. Keep your options open. Choose several “must-see” locations.

2) Dates. Choose at least two times in the upcoming year that it would be good for you to travel. Once again your location, vacation time, and finances might not jive. So its good to have some optional travel dates.

3) Paid Time Off. Make sure you have enough time at work to vacation. What’s the purpose in taking vacation if you’re not getting paid for it. Period.

4) Get a Passport. It’s impossible to travel without a passport. Unless everything you want to do is stateside, but how boring is that. For more passport information visit the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs. Some countries also require visas.

5) Search Search Search. (The cities/countries you want to visit @ both times of the year that are good for you to travel.) Remember to travel discounted-ly you may have to travel off season. It’s cool. The lines are shorter, but certain attractions may not be open. So what, go outside the place and take a picture…its the same as being there.

6) Search Some More. While searching don’t forget to see if those frequent flyer miles are ready to pay off.

7) Search every FREAKIN’ day!

8 ) Savings. Save your money $50 a pay check goes a long way. A long long way. The more disposable income on a trip the better. What more can I say.

9) Calculate Fly Time. When choosing one of those special internet deals, remember to calculate flight time. You can lose a lot of time in travel to and from the country. For example, a 7 night Flight & Hotel trip to Sydney, Australia for $1300 is a HOT price. However, the flight is 22 hours ONE-WAY. That’s two nights flying and at least one night in jet lag, which leaves 4 nights to have fun. Not hot!

10) The Almighty Dollar. Check exchange rates. The U.S. Dollar is very very weak right now. The exchange rate to the Euro SUCKS.

11) Add-Ons. Sometimes your travel agency will offer day trips or excursions (on cruises) for an additional fee. Beware, these trips can be more expensive when you buy them in advance versus waiting until you actually get where you are going.

12) Accomodations. Thoroughly check out the hotels in advance. Be Choosy. A 3-star hotel overseas may not be on the same standards as a 3-star U.S. hotel. Look at all the available amenities including restaurants, free breakfast (important to the budget) airport transportation, is it really a hostel <-- seriously. You want to make sure your hotel is centrally located and easily accesible to local attractions and the airport or train station. Remember every country has its own "hood" and you probably don't want to stay there.

13) Research the Area. Do a little pre-trip leg work and see whats happening in the area during your vacation, you might catch a good festival.

14) Make a Schedule…but leave room for spontanaeity. When researching the area you should find some “must-see” attractions, museums, nature trails, excursions, ruins, or shopping. Making a tentative schedule of the must-see places will help organize the trip a bit. Consider starting a Travel Journal to document your travels and mke note of any inspirations you may receive while on vacation.

15) Take CASH... In plenty of small bills. Street vendors and taxi cab drivers do NOT make change.

16) “Make a List” – just like when grocery sshopping without a list when you go on vacation without the gift list you over purchase! Plus, who wants to spend all their vacation money buying gifts for other people? Not me.

17) Check the Weather. Summertime in the U.S. is wintertime somewhere else. Don’t get caught tripping.

18) Packing. - Watch your leggage weight and remember you will buy, buy, buy and need space to bring that stuff back. Plus, international airlines have different rules on luggage weight and those rules vary by destination. I found an excellent site, One Bag, that can help you with all your packing issues.

19) Guidebooks The detailed maps and area suggestions are your friend! Saved our butts in Venice. There are plenty to choose from: Frommer’s, Foder’s, Lonely Planet, Let’s Go…etc.

20) International Calling Cards. Keyword: International. I made the mistake of buying a domestic calling card that could make international calls and 200 dometic minutes equalled 27 inernational minutes. Also, check into rates and minutes/fees before you leave.

There are quite posibly many other tips that you may have for planning an international vacation. Did I leave something out? Let us know!