Whether you are looking for a short city trip like Plymouth, MA or Newport, RI or a longer excursion like Calabria, Italy or the Amalfi Coast, deciding where to go is always a challenge. With so many wonderful, interesting places in the world to choose from – how do you decide? There are a number of things to consider before making a final choice. Here are just a few to things to think about before packing your bags:

Timing

Travel is time away from home, work, possibly family and even pets. Do you have a week’s worth of vacation time from work, two weeks or do you only have a day or two to spare? If it’s only a weekend you have to get away, consider a more local trip that is only a few hours drive away or a short flight. If you have lots of time to spend traveling, then timing won’t be too much of an impediment in your choices.

Aerial view of happy travelers enjoying tropical seas and sun. Can’t you imagine yourself on these colorful inflatables?

Budget

The amount of money you want to spend on a vacation is often a major consideration when traveling. Think about the costs that are involved in a trip such as the following:

Accommodations – Do you have to stay in a hotel? What’s important in a hotel choice? Does it need to have all the amenities of home or are you ok with a budget hotel? Do you like a luxury or resort feel? Or, perhaps you have a friend in an area and you can stay with them. This would certainly save lots of money on accommodations.
Transportation – Will you be flying or driving? Will you rent a car? Are you thinking about a long road trip? Often when you fly to a destination, you may also need to rent a car. So don’t forget to consider your transportation costs once you arrive at your destination. Keep in mind, there are trains and buses that could save you money if cost is a major consideration.

Meals – Obviously, everyone has to eat. Each day you are away you need to consider how you will account for meals. If you are staying at a place with a kitchen you might be able to save on food costs if you are willing to cook at home. Depending on your destination, think about the cost of living in the area as it can vary greatly from one place to another so you might want to save that 5-star restaurant for a special occasion.

Scrumptious lobster dinner is a must for many on vacation!

Shopping – Is shopping on your list of “things to do?” Think about how much you want to spend on souvenirs, clothing, or other items that are special to the region you are traveling.
Excursions/Entertainment – Most of us don’t just want to sit in a hotel room when we travel. So, be sure to consider what your budget is for things like boat excursions, concert tickets, entrance fees, activities, parking, taxis, and more.  These costs can add up fast particularly if you have children with you and you are covering costs for a family. Before you go, see if there are discounts for kids under a certain age for places like museums, historical sites, etc.
Unplanned Expenses – Don’t forget when traveling things can sometimes go wrong. While none of us want to think about unfortunate situations, it’s helpful to plan for unforeseen expenses such as lost items, delayed or cancelled flights, or injuries.

Travel Companions

Another important factor in deciding where to go is who you plan to travel with. A couple’s getaway might want to be more relaxing. If you have a big group you are traveling with, you might want to consider physical abilities, varying interests and tastes. Perhaps a cruise would offer everyone in the group something to enjoy. How do you like to travel – alone, with one or two friends, with your significant other, or with your family? Each would direct your decision one way or another.

Consider your travel companion(s) when planning your vacation.

Weather and Seasonality

Often times weather makes a huge difference in where to go. Are you living in a cold weather community and want some warmth in a sunny place? Are you looking to sight see but don’t want to be too uncomfortably hot? One location may be great one season but could be a different experience another time of year, including the fact that many things might be closed. Of course, we can’t control the weather but some locations have rainy seasons or a hurricane season so check the weather for the location you are considering.

What experience are you hoping to have?

Maybe one of the most important considerations is the goal of your trip. Some people want some R&R and don’t want to do much of anything. Others are looking to have the adventure of a lifetime. It’s great to know why you are traveling and what you hope to experience. Do you want a cultural experience or a zip lining, parachute jumping trip? Are you a sun worshipper but also want to sightsee and shop? Or, perhaps you are wanting a little bit of everything. No matter what you are hoping to get out of your travels, it’s a great big world and there’s something for everyone.

We hope you have a fantastic trip and would love to hear about your travels so feel free to leave us comments and tell us where you went! Safe travels!!