The best trips are the ones that come with a deep sense of adventure. You can find it in your hometown or on an international vacation, but you need to be ready for it and you need to know where to look.
If you’re looking for something new and different, then read these tips about how to plan the ideal travel experience.
1) Create a Bucket List
You probably have some ideas of things you want to experience before you die—a bucket list if you will.
Why not add “the perfect trip” as one of those items?
Make a list of places you’d like to go, things you’d like to do, and experiences you’ve never had.
Then begin organizing your trip around those items. If you want to travel through several countries over the course of three weeks, then research how much time you need for each stop along the way.
You’ll also have an easier time finding good deals on airfare if one of your stops is somewhere close by (within your country or right next door).
Once you’re finished with this list, start looking for possible locations that match what you want to see and do under your own steam. If you can’t find any ideas or would rather leave it up to someone else, there are plenty of guides for amazing excursions.
2) Explore the Territory
Of course, you can also create your own bucket list of places you want to explore on foot.
Similar to writing down activities that are important to you, make a running list of all the great sights in your area or state.
Maybe there’s a historic site near where you live that is somewhat under the radar—some little town with an interesting past that would be worth visiting if it gets more promotion and attention.
Or perhaps there are several routes through smaller cities that are wonderful but less known than their flashier neighbors.
You may also discover that visiting them all in one trip would be a great idea.
After all, it’s easy to find your way around places you’ve never been before if you use the right guides and maps.
3) Take Your Time and Curb Your Enthusiasm
While we might like to believe we’re capable of anything, the truth is we shouldn’t try to see too much in one go—even if there are no time restrictions on this adventure.
In fact, trying to cram everything into short trips could prove more stressful than fun.
So plan out the entire route ahead of time or create a flexible schedule for each day that leaves space for downtime and doing nothing along the way – unless that’s what you want to do (in that case, by all means, go for it).
Part of the joy in getting away is not knowing everything about where you are until you’re there.
Being surprised along the way can make your time off more memorable if you’re open to new experiences and explore with an adventurous spirit.
4) Know Your Own Limitations Before You Go
Of course, part of planning a great trip includes doing research on any possible health or safety concerns at the destination.
If this is your first time in Russia, for example, it’s important to know what Russian culture is like so that you don’t accidentally insult someone or be discouraged when locals act slightly different than usual.
Also, factor in your physical limits and personal preferences before booking or stepping foot on a plane.
If you’re not comfortable with heights, then you shouldn’t plan to climb Machu Picchu just because it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Even if you’re up for an adventure, these places might be too much for your body or bring back bad memories from previous experiences.
So keep an open mind and try to see things from every angle so that your vacation is as pleasurable as possible.
5) Plan Ahead and Watch Your Budget
While this should go without saying, always take the time to shop around and compare prices before paying full price (or anything at all) for airfare or other travel-related costs such as hotels or dining out.
Before you finalize anything, make sure to check airline websites as well as online travel booking sites like Expedia, Orbitz, Kayak, and more.
Also, consider car rentals if your trip is long enough to warrant driving around. And if you don’t mind staying in hostels every now and then, they can be a great deal too.
If you really want to save money on your vacation, start by tying up any loose ends at home—like canceling the newspaper subscription or turning off the lights when you leave for the day.
You’ll be just fine without these things for a little while!
6) Know Where You’re Going ahead of Time
Once all of that is taken care of, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty details.
Research any places that you’re especially interested in visiting and do your homework about each destination before you leave.
By doing this, you won’t miss out on anything truly special because you don’t know where to find it or what day it happens—which is extra important since most sights are only open for so long every day of the week.
You can also put together a game plan by including instructions for yourself about which path to take once you enter the attraction so that you don’t waste time wandering around aimlessly trying to figure it all out on your own.
7) Prepare for Any Possible Scenarios
Life doesn’t always go as planned, so it’s important to be prepared for just about anything.
For example, we’re all familiar with the concept of Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”
So just in case something goes awry on your big vacation day and you get stuck in a rut—or even lose everything—be sure to pack some emergency items like extra clothes, cash (in small bills), sunglasses, medicines (think motion sickness pills or painkillers), and anything else you might need if things don’t turn out as expected.
If you plan ahead like this and stay positive about what lies ahead (even if it means some trouble along the way), then your time off will be that much more enjoyable.
8) Find Out About the Destination’s History and Culture
A trip is not just about what you do—it’s also about learning something new along the way, too.
The best vacations are those marked by a mixture of relaxation as well as some education since you’ll likely enjoy yourself more if you know a thing or two about the local culture.
So spend some time before your departure reading up on Greek mythology or the history of New York City to spark your imagination and prepare for a great experience.
Or try to connect with locals who can share their knowledge and point you in the right direction towards things that might not be on a travel guide map.
In the end, you’ll not only have a more than a satisfactory vacation—but also unforgettable memories that will last for years to come.
9) Pack Enough Clothes and Other Necessities
The most enjoyable thing about traveling is trying new things in different places – but it’s not nearly as fun when you don’t have what you need or can’t buy anything because your luggage is still sitting at the airport!
So make sure to pack enough clothes (in case of inclement weather), toiletries, and any other necessities before getting on a plane or hopping into a car.
Also, be sure to keep everything organized so that you can find what you need without too much hassle.
10) Eat and Sleep like a Local
When it comes to where you should go out to eat or stay overnight, research the area ahead of time if you want the best deals while saving your hard-earned cash at the same time.
For example, while Toronto is an amazing place in Canada to take a vacation, it can be a bit pricey for average travelers—so instead of staying downtown where most attractions are clustered, try staying in one of Toronto’s suburbs.
This will give you better accommodations without having to break the bank. In addition, when looking around for places to have lunch or dinner, look beyond stereotypical tourist destinations and ask someone who lives there what they might recommend instead.
Follow this advice, and you’ll go home feeling like you spent your money wisely—and that makes for one happy camper!
11) Make Some Plans but Leave Room for Flexibility
One of the worst things about vacations is hearing someone say they didn’t enjoy themselves because everything went according to plan.
Messy plans almost always become messy trips, so it’s important to remember to leave some room in your schedule for flexibility since just about anything can happen when traveling.
If you’re visiting a foreign city, then expect the unexpected since public transportation might not be working properly or streets could get flooded with people at any given moment.
So relax, have fun, and think on your feet instead of worrying too much about whether or not you’ll have a good time if everything goes as planned. That way, your trip will be more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone involved.
12) Avoid Being a Tourist When Possible
When it comes to going on vacation, the idea is to switch up daily life by trying new things or visiting exciting locales—not doing exactly what you would do at home since that defeats the purpose of getting away from it all in the first place!
A lot of travelers make this mistake because they don’t know any better, but some seasoned veterans already know how to avoid this problem: they look for ways to blend in with locals as much as possible. This means foregoing some modern comforts like GPS systems, street maps, and anything that might identify them as a tourist.
People living in other countries tend to be much friendlier than those at home, so if you’re respectful and considerate of their values and practices then they’ll often go out of their way to help you—just another reason why it’s important to learn as much as possible about the country you’ll be visiting beforehand.
13) Pack Your Sense of Humor
Not everything will go your way when traveling, so pack your sense of humor so that if things don’t work out the way you planned then there’s still room for amusement.
After all, keeping a positive attitude can make or break how your experience turns out – and sometimes seeing the lighter side makes the worst situations seem like a walk in the park.
A word of caution, however: don’t make fun of or insult other people’s customs or beliefs since that can get you into a lot of trouble, especially if you do it in public.
Consider yourself forewarned…
14) Make Like a Local and Save Money
Unfortunately, not everyone cares about getting the best deals while traveling because some see it as an opportunity to splurge on something they would never buy at home.
And then there are those who spend too much money simply because everything is more expensive than what they’re used to paying back home—and this isn’t smart when you’re visiting a foreign country with an unfamiliar currency.
The key is to do your research before you leave so that you can see how much things usually cost in the area where you’ll be visiting, and then ask the locals what they do to make ends meet.