5 EASY STEPS TO PLAN YOUR GREATEST ADVENTURE
Have you seen enough of your living room through the pandemic?
Burned through all the nature and travel shows and feeling like you’ve learned enough to take a new city, state, county or even continent by storm?
It can be tricky to get started, especially in a foreign country, but our quick tips will help you plan your next grand adventure with a flawless itinerary. Don’t miss the travel tips at the bottom!
Let’s get started!
Work out your timeframe and your budget
Though we hate to start with boundaries right away, your timeline and budget will create the “rules” under which your trip is planned.
It’s paramount to identify exactly how long you can escape, as that may determine how far you can go and how much you can do while you’re there.
How much you can spend is also important, but don’t fret about planning every dollar. Figure out what you can put towards the adventure, and investigate the cost of each item as you plan.
Pick a destination
Some places will call to you, and you simply know that’s where you want to go!
If you’re not sure, think about what you want from your adventure. What do you want to see, to do, to learn? Find the right city or country to make those dreams come true!
Don’t forget to think about how long it takes to actually travel to your destination(s). You may be able to take a week off to go to Europe, but it takes a full day to get there, and a full day to get back.
Transportation: Decide how to get there and how to get around
Now that you have the dates and location(s) together, you can tie down the best ways to get where you want to go.
Look at flights, rental car options, or both! We love to find public transportation where we can, particularly in big European hubs like Paris and London.
Not only can Google help you find the right flight, but Google Maps can help you sort out the most efficient order in which to visit the places you want to go once in the area.
You can even pick from transportation options and get the right bus or train schedules, platforms, and routes. Add multiple destinations, and simply drag each into the right order to minimize travel times and maximize fun!
Find the right hotel or homestay
You now have your dates and locations figured out, are you getting excited yet!? Now it’s time to pick where you’ll stay the nights and enjoy your mornings.
Think about what’s important to you and your trip goals: do you want the relaxing resort experience, or to trek out from your lodging on days filled with action and adventure?
Consider a hotel for the former, but an Airbnb may get you closer to the fun in the latter.
Search by your budget and location, hostels are great places to stay for cheap, but there is something especially comforting about having an entire home to return to at the end of a long day.
Create the daily itinerary
Now things get really fun - it’s time to start plotting out your days. Are you hanging ten with some surf lessons? Ziplining through the trees? How about a massage and spa day?
No matter your preferred pace, you can plan ahead for just about anything. There’s something wonderful about heading out for the day with no plan at all, but to get the most out of a place coming with a game plan is key to success.
Use Yelp to find fun local activities and food, or look at your favorite travel blogs to see what others enjoyed. We love to use AllTrails to find the best hiking routes and AirBnb to learn from local residents.
Some adventures require you book ahead, others you can wing it! If you’re on a budget, research will help ensure you plan to stay within it.
Look at you, you’re your own travel agent!
You’ve got your timeline, your travel plan, booked your stay, and even know what you’ll be doing when you get there.
Don’t forget to take all of this information down somewhere so you can keep track of it all, and be sure to keep your booking confirmation details handy for flights, rentals, and activities.
Create an email folder with the details, or if you prefer to have physical copies print each out and store them in your luggage.
You’re ready to hit the sand, the snow, the jungle or the city! And after this trip, you’ll know exactly how to get started on your next adventure. Bon voyage!
Pass this article on to your friends and family so they can adventure too! Swap stories and your favorite places; together we’ll create lifelong memories worth sharing!
Helpful Tips:
Start early - no matter where you go, it’s always more special to have some of this new place to yourself. Get up early to avoid the crowds and make the most of each day!
Secure your valuables - be sure to keep your ID, money, and any other valuables on your person. We find a neck-wallet to be the most secure, as everything stays in front of you, and you can tuck it under your shirt for added security, aestheticism, and ease of access.
Call your bank - if you’re going far, it’s possible you may hit some bumps in the road if your bank is trying to protect you from fraud. Be sure to let them know where you’re going and how long you’ll be there so they can look out for you accordingly.
Pick up the language - traveling to a foreign country can be intimidating, especially if the spoken language isn’t one you know. It always helps to know some basics to be able to communicate. Duolingo is a great platform to quickly learn and practice some basics so you can order at restaurants, thank people, and ask for directions.
Download a map - reception can sometimes be tricky, especially in a foregn place. Google maps has a great option to download the map of a local area so that you have access to it at all times. Before you head out for the day, use wifi to save the local area so you don’t end up without a map!
Carry extra chargers - you’ll likely be busy snapping photos, looking up directions, and making contact with other members of your party. Your phone is likely key to all of this, so we recommend carrying an extra battery pack and charging cable to avoid a dead device.
Check if you need outlet converters - not all countries use the same outlet shape or wattage. Google your destination and their outlets, and buy a converter at your favorite electronics store.
