Choosing The Right Travel Plans

Now that you have found the right travel professional to assist you with your planning, you need to decide where to go. The world is big with many places to visit. If you are not sure where you want to go, take a few minutes with pen and paper, write down the things you would like to do or see. Then consider very carefully your budget and the time you have to spend for vacation.

Share this information with your chosen travel planner. At this point your consultant should ask you a few questions based on your list. However, don't be disappointed if your list is either too ambitious for your budget or time allowance. I have been asked by prospective travelers to help them find a package to places such as Italy for 4 nights with a budget of $2,000.00 for 2 people. Being honest, which I believe is the best policy for the client, it just isn't good planning. Coming from the east coast of the US a 4 night trip will really result in less than 3 days in Italy when including the flights and jet lag. Also with that low budget, most of the money will be spent on the airfare, not leaving much for accommodations, food and excursions.

If your first choice of travel is not realistic, ask your consultant for ideas . Afterall, you are using a travel professional for a reason. A good consultant should be able to look at your travel wish list and come up with other options for your vacation. Many times I find I need to redirect the ideas to another destination, one that may not have been thought about by the traveler. Again, this is the job of the travel professional...to help you with suggestions.

Once the destination has been chosen according to the budget and vacation time, now it is time to choose the accommodations. Share with your travel planner the type of accommodation amenities you prefer. Not all hotels or resorts are for all people. Some are large with many activites and some, more intimate and more sedate. When traveling to other countries you may feel more comfortable in an American style hotel rather than one mirroring the image and culture of the country. Personally, I like the hotels which are in tune with the local flavor...it's all part of the travel experience. Take a look at all of the amenities, including proximately to local areas of interest if you enjoy sight seeing and exploring the local culture. Rule of thumb, the better the location, the more the cost. Sometimes the extra dollars are well worth investment for the proper accommodations.

If you are planning an active sight seeing journey, don't try to see all of the sights in one day. Sometimes eventhough we want to see it all, there just isn't enough time in one week, let alone one day. Choose the sights that are most important to you and schedule those first, then let the others fall in place. Take time to enjooy the local flavor and people. If you are planning to have a lazy beach vacation, but need to do one or two excursions, plan them before you travel if possible. Since you have limited time to vacation, you don't want to be arrive at the destination only to discover the excursion you want is not available.

Planning to do a lot of sight seeing, but don't want to do it on your own? An organized tour may be the best option for you. They may seem busy, but you will get a lot in your day. On a motorcoach tour, everything is done for you by the tour operator...no thinking needed. Up early in the morning, on the bus to sights which are the most popular in the region you are visiting. Usually all meals or most meals are include which also helps with the budgeting. You know ahead of time the cost of your travel. Also, motorcoach tours organized through a tour operator accustomed to receiving groups from the US will have licensed, English speaking guides, who are like walking encyclopedias for the area you are visiting. The motorcoaches are well kept and airconditioned too.

When you plan travel carefully, your vacation will be a great experience. Also, it will take the stress out of your planning. Who needs stress?