Though it is easier to just hire an experienced travel agent to arrange a good holiday for you, sometimes you need to focus on a sense of accomplishment and ownership with a DIY route. With these tips, you can plan the perfect trip for yourself.
Choose the Destination Wisely
Most people just look at a couple of places before choosing a destination. It is important to consider some important things, and choose holiday site wisely. For instance, you need to consider the season at your destination. There’s nothing worse than visiting a tropical island during the monsoon season.
It’s also important to focus on local school holidays. In case a destination is crowded with families, you may be unable to enjoy the perfect escape you planned. You should choose wisely to avoid sharing places with other people.
Another important consideration is safety. In fact, this is the most important factor to plan your trip. There’s no need to travel through a war-torn region or an area affected by Ebola or Dengue fever. You need to look for travel advice and warnings on the Internet.
Last but not least, you should look for some airfare sales around the travel dates. This can help you pick a good destination. In case you don’t have a clear idea about where you want to go, you should let the sales and discounts guide you.
Booking Online
Once you’ve chosen a destination for your trip, you need to focus on the booking process. These days, you can find a lot of information on the Internet. You should conduct a good research to check a wide range of sources. It’s also important to seek advice from your family and friends. You should even check some travel review websites. When it comes to booking online, you should consider a number of important things:
Airfares – Some ticket comparison websites can be perfect for comparing which airlines fly to your destination and offer good deals. However, it’s important to check direct prices on official websites of airlines. It’s also a good way to utilize mileage programs.
Accommodation – While communicating with some owners of small properties, you may experience language barriers. Some owners don’t even return your inquiries immediately. Therefore, it’s a safer bet to make reservations with reputed websites. Some websites even give you the option to pay on arrival.
Insurance – You should never plan a trip without insurance. Many credit cards provide customers with free travel insurance when booking flights and accommodation. However, you should read the fine print to get a better idea about the coverage. You should ask your friends for recommendations, and even compare some quotes on the Internet. Some activities, such as skiing or snowboarding aren’t covered under standard insurance policies.
Staying Safe
Once you’ve booked everything, and you’re ready to go, it’s time to consider your safety. It’s very important to keep your dear ones and belongings safe on your trip. This is important for a carefree experience. Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure your safety:
● It’s better to spread the cash over multiple debit or credit cards for emergencies. You should also carry only a small amount of cash-in-hand, depending on the destination. Countries like Japan are still cash-based societies, while in Peru credit cards can be used very often. You should keep a backup of your credit card in a separate bag in case you lose the wallet.
● It’s important to carry photocopies of all the travel documents, including flight itineraries and passport. You should email all the documents to yourself, and even a friend or family member at home.
● While travelling on the streets, you should use some common sense and be aware of basic tourist traps. You should not keep your cash or expensive gadgets on display. It’s also important to watch out for fake tour operators and tampered water bottles. Most importantly, you should never let the passport out of your sight.
When it comes to DIY trip planning, you should not leave anything to chance. These days, you can find extensive information on the Internet, including discussion forums and travel websites. You need to consult experts and ask for advice from fellow travelers to avoid typical tourist traps, and enjoy your trip.