Come on; what’s holding you back?

It’s true that there is so much to think about when planning a vacation - time, money, and overall comfort are just a few considerations. But that’s no reason to hold back from making your dream come true. Follow these time-tested steps and get ready to enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.

Choose the Right Destination

If you don’t already have a destination in mind, try looking at a map and circling locations and attractions that you want to visit. Then narrow down the ones that you can do in one trip.

Determine How Long You’ll Stay

Your budget and itinerary will be dictated by the amount of time you have. When you decide exactly how many days or weeks you want to stay, it gives you a specific goal to work towards.

Decide Who You’ll Travel With

If you’re travelling solo, you’ll be looking for a very different experience than what you will get if you’re going with a partner or a group of friends. So this decision will influence the locations and activities you should include.

Formulate a Budget

Read up on a travel guidebook or a community travel forum to find out about the costs of accommodations, food and attractions in the place you’re going to. And think realistically about the kind of experience you want. For example, do you need a fancy hotel, or would a hostel be alright?

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Get a No-Fee ATM Card

Withdrawing cash from an ATM is the most convenient way to access foreign currency while abroad. But bank fees can really add up. So look into getting a no-fee ATM card for your trip.

Book Your Flight

An app like Google Flight can help you find the cheapest flights for the dates you want to travel. Just be aware that most cheap flights are cheap for a reason. Be realistic about whether or not you really want to arrive at the airport at 2 AM or deal with multiple connecting flights.

Book Accommodations

For a shorter trip, you’ll want to have reservations for lodging booked before you leave. But if you’ll be travelling over a period of a few weeks, you might only want to book the first few nights and then figure it out as you go.

Plans Things to Do

Prioritize those activities which are most important to you, and find out their cost ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out due to lack of time or money.

Pack as Lightly as Possible

Bring clothing that makes sense for the weather and the activities that you’ll experience. Try setting out all the items you want to pack on a flat surface so you can determine if you have too much of anything.

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Purchase Travel Insurance

You probably won’t need it, but in case an accident or illness occurs while you’re travelling, it’s important to be prepared.

With these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to having the adventure of a lifetime!