Let's Plan A Trip!

Deciding where to go on holiday can be stressfull at times. That is why I have listed below a few common questions in no particular order to help guide you in the right direction for your next travel experience. Set aside a few minutes, get comfortable and start brainstorming all the wonderful possibilites your vacation will have to offer.

* Planning a vacation *

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Start by picking as many places you like to travel to. Narrow it down to at least 3 places.

WHEN DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Do you want to travel in the off-season? Do you want to travel in the spring, summer, fall or winter?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO THERE?
Do you want to hike? Lounge by the pool all day? Relax on the beach? Golf? Museums? Outdoor recreation? Theme park?

WITH WHOM DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Do you want to travel solo? Travel with friends? Family? Tour group?

HOW WILL YOU GET THERE?
Will you travel by plane, train, automobile, bus, boat?

HOW MANY DAYS?
How many days will you take off work? Do you have an entire summer break? Are you between jobs? Is it a weekend getaway or last minute travel?

WHERE WILL YOU STAY?
Are you planning to stay with friends, family or hotel?

WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?
This will most likely be the ultimate deciding factor for your vacation plans from length of stay, destination, lodging, and transportation.

WILL YOU NEED A PASSPORT AND VISA?
You may need a passport and visa depending on your destination. Make sure to check into this immediately after deciding your destination as these can take months to obtain.

* Saving money for vacation *

Saving for vacation can be a financial adventure with a few obstacles and challenges along the way! Consider these several observations; you may have to forego eating out more than usual, skip the latest movie release, pass on shopping the latest fashions, and not attend a few sports venues. However, I promise you the sacrifice will be worth the end result of feeling satisfied for achieving the ultimate goal of saving for your vacation.

Ways to save
Save $20 every paycheck per person or whatever you can save without sacrificing paying your bills on time. $20 may not seem like a lot but a little bit adds up over time. Worst case scenario is you will at least have saved a little for spending money for your trip.

Setup a direct deposit and have a predetermined amount of money automatically taken out your paycheck every pay period and deposited into a special travel account.

Use a cash back rewards credit card responsibly for everyday purchases and to pay your bills for a period of time. Immediately pay the balance on your card to avoid any finance charges or create unwanted debt. Cash in the rewards a few weeks before your trip.

Ways to cut back on spending.
Make your coffee at home.

Spend less money on alcohol and nicotene or avoid completely.

Have a home movie night instead of going to the movie theatre.

Save gas and use public transportation.

Cook more. Meal prep and take your lunch to work.

Buy necessities in bulk and use coupons when possible.

Have a yard sale.

Shop the clearance rack.

* Fun things to do before vacation. *

STUDY THE CULTURE
Take the time to research the culture of the country you will visit. Not only is it educational but you will realize every culture has a few similarities. Some things you may consider weird is often the norm for another culture. I guarantee you will find a few things interesting and want to learn more about the place your visiting before your trip. It's surreal to know these things upon arrival and experience the culture first hand for a few days.

STUDY THE HISTORY
When traveling to a foreign country I suggest you research the history of the place you are visiting to learn about the past which will give you insight to the present day culture. A quick Google search will produce a broad range of historical facts about the country. You can choose to study many things or you may concentrate on a few points of interest. I love to use the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Books as a source because they provide a great introductory background along with pictures of past and present day. Choose any method of research that works best for you.

STUDY THE LANGUAGE
It's always best to know a few basic words to help communicate with the locals. I recommend you buy an inexpensive language dictionary and download free apps such as Duolingo and practice speaking several weeks before your trip. Communicating in a foreign language can be frustrating but it can be very interesting trying to order off a menu and asking for directions in another language. Yes you will possibly pronounce many things wrong but the locals will love you all the more for trying to speak in their native tongue. And trust me you will most likely incorporate a lot of funny hand gestures to help get your point across.

LISTENING TO MUSIC
Immerse yourself into the culture of the country by listening to timeless classics of old and new while relaxing. Youtube is a wonderful source of cultural music. If I'm at home I will grab a glass of wine and put on my music of choice and surround myself in an ambience of the the country I imagine myself visiting at the moment. If I'm in the park, on the bus or walking down the street and I want to temporarily get away from the hustle and bustle, I will put on my headphones and escape from it all. There's nothing like the sound of sweet music in your ears to help you feel like you are in that country no matter where you are.

READ TRAVEL BOOKS
Reading travel books is a fun way to build excitement for your trip and is a great way to armchair travel to anywhere in the world from the comfort of your home. It's the cheapest way to explore places you've always wanted to see and many of these books may actually inspire you to travel there one day. In fact after reading the book "Under the Tuscan Sun", I was inspired to decorate my tiny studio apartment as a Tuscan Villa and eventually fulfilled my dream of traveling to Italy, twice! With so many literary options available I urge you to start looking for all types of travel information, take notes and start armchair traveling wherever your heart desires.

WATCH MOVIES
Watching movies, documentaries and video clips is a fun way to build excitement for your trip. Schedule a movie night and eat a meal reminiscent to the place of the movie you are watching. Watch documentaries and YouTube video clips to learn the historical aspect of the place and get a glimpse of the present day life.

* Where to get cash while travelling. *

I prefer using national banks ATM to withdraw my money because the rates are not as high as money exchange places. Usually your bank will charge a few dollars and around 3 to 5 percent of your total withdrawal which is very reasonable. I always use the currency of the local region because this offers the best exchange rate for your money and is usually preferred. I do however avoid using ATM's that are located in places of business because of security reasons and very high outrageous fees.

Let's Plan A Trip!

* Planning a vacation *

* Saving money for vacation *

* Fun things to do before vacation. *

* Where to get cash while travelling. *

* Search for Hotels and Flights *