Travel has it's ups and downs, but more ups than downs when you plan right and are prepared before your journey begins. Be it a bustling city, serene beach, or majestic mountain range, it is always an exciting experience. However, the key to a truly memorable and stress-free travel experience lies in the art of meticulous planning. Being the perfectionist, I've always tried to stick to the itinerary as much as possible but over time I've learnt to focus on the important things and having the best experience possible.
Join me as I share with you some basics to crafting your "perfect" experience, ensuring your next adventure is nothing short of extraordinary. The below is more for those who really love to research, check and compare prices, locations and experiences to get the most of the the trip. If you are more of the free and easy type, then not all the tips below might apply but you might find some useful tips as well.
1. Setting the Stage: Defining Your Travel Goals
Dive into the heart of your wanderlust by determining the purpose of your trip. Are you seeking relaxation, adventure, or a cultural escapade? Setting clear goals will shape the essence of your travel experience.
Choosing the Perfect Destination: I usually start with researching the destinations and how much it would cost. Once a destination has been decided, then I would shortlist the attractions, then group them to make them easier for logistics. Giving the trip or agenda for the day a theme (e.g. Food, History, Shopping or a mix) does help and make it. Keeping a look out on flight tickets (and sales) would be the first on the list once the destination has been decided, followed by accommodations.
Once you think you have a good price, just go with it and don't look back or check the prices again as the prices may increase or decrease nearer the date. I like to plan in advance to be prepared or on the lookout for better prices, so I usually start like 3-6 months before to check out the pricing (you never know when there might be a good deal so being prepared is good). Signing up for airlines news and promotions are one way to stay on top of the deals as well as following their social media.
As for accommodations, previously I gravitated to AirBnb for some locations like South Korea and Japan, but after my experience at an AirBnB in Japan that had bedbugs and was not the cleanest I stick with hotels. Just to save some money, it is not worth it anymore for the emotional trauma with AirBnBs nowadays.
[Japan AirBnB Tokyo Accommodation in Shibuya: 1st Encounter with a Dirty Apartment]
Signing up for hotels newsletter or following their social media might keep you in the loop for deals and discounts as well. Also, did you know that you can now book hotels via Klook? It is really a useful website and sometimes the discounts are really worth, but do take note on the fine prints like no refunds etc..
If you are not yet a member at Klook, sign up here and get S$4.30 off your first transaction! 😊
For Singapore users, do note if you book via Shopback, you can earn cashback or rebates!
You can also check for flight and accommodation prices on my blog on the right side navigation!
[Booking hotels directly or via 3rd party platforms?]
2. Explore the world from the comfort of your planning chair.
Delve into the factors influencing your decision, from budget constraints to seasonal preferences. Plan an itinerary that captures the essence of your destination without feeling rushed.
Budgeting Like a Pro: If you travel in a group some costs can be split to lessen the burden. One such cost would be accommodation and food. Of course, it is also important to choose your travel companions wisely as trips aboard can break or make any relationship.
If you have friends or family in the destination you are visiting you could take the opportunity to catch up with them and ask them for hidden local spots.
Once you and your travel companions have decided on the destination, it's on to the activities and budget. The agenda for each day does not have to be time constraint, you can be flexible as long as you do not pack many activities within the day and what are the other possible attractions nearby. Of course if you want to leave it all up to chance, you can but for things that need to be pre-booked in advance it's always best to check so that you can make the most of your holidays.
If you are traveling with a group of foodies and don't mind sharing food, you could pool together to have a bigger food budget to try more food. If your group has a larger number of people, you could also factor some time for people to do different activities on their own if they would like (you are not the travel agent so don't take on too much).
One useful website is Tripadvisor to give you a general feel of your destination and activities. There are also forums which you can ask your questions.
Checking out travel blogs are also useful sources of information, with very detailed accounts and descriptions.
3. Visa and Passport Wisdom
Unlock the mysteries of international travel bureaucracy. Ensure your passport is ready for adventure and navigate the often-confusing world of visas. Seamlessly cross borders armed with the knowledge you need.
Do check if you need to acquire a visa for your destination and handle the process as early as possible so it does not delay your travel plans. Also ensure that your passport has more than 6 months of validity or your may be denied entry to your destination (or even leave your country of origin).
Remember that the true magic of travel lies not just in the destination but in the journey itself. Embrace the unknown, savor every moment, and let the world become your canvas. Happy travels!
What are your travel tips? Do share them with us in the comments below~
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