How To Choose Your Next Destination

Travel is such a romantic notion. When I think of travel, my eyes immediately light up and my mind wanders in circles pondering which location I should pick for my next trip. And therein lies the problem. See, for many people choosing where to travel is the hardest part about traveling. This can prevent us from ever traveling in the first place because we are afraid of making the wrong decision, especially if we have a small budget or limited time off from work. And I am so often in the same boat! I don’t know if the day will ever come where making that decision will be an easy one for me. There are so many factors to consider and it can be hard to narrow down the perfect destination, particularly if you have never been there before.

This post will not tell you exactly which place to pick. Deciding where to travel is a personal decision and with so many things to consider, there is not a one-size fits all destination to present. But to make things easier for you, I will lay out the factors I keep in mind before I choose a place to travel, with some destinations thrown in there just to illustrate my points. FEEL FREE TO MAKE UP YOUR OWN MINDS AND EXPLORE OPTIONS OUTSIDE OF MY SUGGESTIONS 🙂

(It may be helpful to take notes of places that come to mind as you read each section.)

 

 

BUDGET

How much are you willing to spend on this vacation? This question will often determine how far away from home you can escape to. If your money is limited, consider traveling within your own state or country. Going far away is always fun and exciting, but there is always plenty to explore in your own backyard. For example, with a limited budget you could consider camping (or glamping.) If you live in the United States, make it a road trip with destinations such as Yellowstone National Park if you live near Salt Lake City; Redwood National Park if you live near Sacramento; or the Great Smoky National Park if you live near Atlanta. If you live in the continental United States and want to go to a foreign country on a limited budget, consider a short Caribbean cruise, or a weekend in Cancún, México. Whichever destination you choose, do thorough research before traveling to know how much money you’ll be expected to spend once you arrive. Identify tourist traps/scams and roughly plan out your daily itinerary so you know what to expect, while leaving some room in your day for spontaneity.

 

 

DURATION

How many days can you devote to your vacation? A week? A month? Just the weekend? Well let’s say you have the long a Memorial Day weekend, which would be roughly Friday through Monday. With just four days, it may not be ideal to travel to a foreign country several time zones away. You’ll have to account for the amount of time you’ll spend in the air, going through customs, and adjusting to a new time zone. I remember traveling to Thailand, which took two separate flights, and it was at least three days before I finally felt somewhat adjusted to the new time zone. I spent about 10 days in Thailand and I definitely feel like it wasn’t enough time, in my opinion. If you are blessed with at least one month off, consider backpacking through Europe. You could also do somewhat of a stay-cation in the town you grew up in (if you now reside elsewhere) by staying with family members and old friends, saving you money on lodging. Going to a new destination is always fun, but there is something very comforting about living among familiarity. Explore options that can work comfortably within your time frame so that you make the most of your time off.

 

 

TIME OF THE YEAR

When will your vacation occur? Timing is crucial when vacationing. The destinations that you daydream of jetting off to often don’t look and feel the same all year round. People love the idea of “Springtime In Paris,” with its warm weather and charming historical city surroundings. You and millions of others have the same dream, so Paris is mobbed with tourists in the spring and summer. Traveling to a destination during peak season means you need to account for crowds, high prices, and (sometimes annoying) tourists. If swarms of people aren’t your thing, visit your dream destination in the off-season. Research the peak and low seasons to know the best times to visit. The good thing about traveling during a low-tourist period is a lack of crowds and lower prices on things like flights and accommodations. But some destinations have off-seasons for a reason. It could be hurricane or tornado season, so make sure you always know what to expect!

 

 

SOLO, ROMANTIC, FRIENDS, OR FAMILY

Who are you traveling with? This can make all the difference of what type of experience you will have. When traveling solo, regardless of your gender identity, it is extra important to plan out where you plan to stay/explore, and share these travel plans with trusted family and friends. Whether in a new city or a whole new country, anything can happen! Solo travel is great for relaxation, self-reflection, and meeting new people. When traveling in Asia in 2017, I met a Chinese American woman who was traveling solo from Boston, where she just received her Masters. (I only point out her ethnicity because perhaps it helped her acclimate to travel in Asia, sharing some cultural identities, practices, and nuances with the people she met while traveling.) Her itinerary consisted of starting her journey in China, then Thailand, then Malaysia, then Singapore, then Indonesia, then Vietnam, and lastly back to Boston. Wow! I was astounded because she was traveling by herself and I felt scared for her. As a woman, I figured she would be an easy target for all sorts of bad people, and this very well could have been the case. But she did months of extensive research and her friends and family knew where she was at every point. If she didn’t check in with them during agreed upon days on her journey, they were instructed to alert the authorities. I would love to live in a generation where more women were comfortable enough to journey the world on their own.

If you are traveling with your romantic partner(s), you have to all be on the same page of what you would like to get out of your vacation. Do you want something intimate and romantic? This often involves isolation, or the illusion of it. Try a cabin in the woods, where you will be surrounded by tall trees which will block out all traces of civilization. If you appreciate luxury, I would suggest an all-exclusive resort on the beach, which you can find all over the world. The good thing about resorts is the lack of planning required. You literally fly to your destination, and when you arrive at the resort, unlimited food and drinks will (usually) be included in the price. There will also be activities on-site and a concierge who can suggest fun things to do in the surrounding area. The only thing you and your partner(s) will really have to focus on is each other, at that point.

Are you traveling with your friends? More times than not, the focus of your trip will be partying! There are all sorts of places, near and far, that can accommodate that. If you live in the United States, one obvious destination will be Las Vegas. It seems that a vast majority of people who visit Las Vegas stick to The Strip, which is a long street riddled with entertainment, hotels, and restaurants to fit almost any budget. Another destination, which I personally hope to travel to in the next two years, is Germany for Oktoberfest. If you have the time and the budget, this is a popular destination to go with friends who are in the drinking and partying mood. If you and your friends aren’t in to that sort of thing, discover the interests you have in common and search for places that would cater to that.

Traveling with your family is another option to consider. The good thing about going with family, friends, or a partner is the amount of money you can save. I traveled with my family to Puerto Rico in the summer of July 2016 and ended up saving a lot of money on lodging. I found a wonderful 5-story house on AirBnB that would have cost me about $1700 for a week to rent, but by splitting it my family members, we each only paid about $150! Analyze the family members that are attending to determine which destination will be the right fit. Are there children attending? A bunch of teenagers? Your elderly grandparents? If the ages vary, your best bet is a resort. Resorts that are not adults-only often cater to people of all ages, but be sure to read reviews of past guests before you make your decision. It might be rare that your family can all come together like this, so remember that the most important thing is the quality time you will spend together. This should be your ultimate focus.

 

 

REASONS FOR TRAVEL

Why are you traveling? Just because you may have time off from work, doesn’t mean you have to jet off somewhere. You can always have a stay-cation, and this is always perfectly acceptable. But there is an inner voice telling you to go somewhere different for a change (that’s why you’re reading this post, right? 😉) If the previous categories didn’t help to narrow down where you should travel, think about what you want to experience, rather than where you want to go.

Do you want to just relax? Maybe you should chose a location only a couple hours drive or flight from home, so that you’re not stressed with planning a foreign trip. The closer to home you travel to, the more time you’ll have for yourself to unwind.

Do you consider yourself a foodie? Eating great food is a great way to spend your vacation time, and arguably my personal favorite reason to travel. Do you have a favorite food? If your favorite food is sushi, consider a trip to Tokyo, Japan. If tapas are your thing, consider a trip to Barcelona, Spain.

Do you want to walk away from your trip learning history and sight-seeing? Anywhere you go in the world could be perfect for this. So do you have a favorite period in history? If you are partial to the history of the ancient Kushite Kingdoms, consider a trip to Sudan where you can see the largest number of pyramids in the world. Are you an art buff? According to Condé Nast Traveler, some of the best places to view beautiful art include Santa Fe, New Mexico; Florence, Italy; Vienna, Austria; and Istanbul, Turkey. Maybe you just want to view a beautiful sunset or picture-perfect water? Consider locations like Maui, Hawaii; Grand Canyon, Arizona; Santorini, Greece; or the beaches of Seychelles.

And maybe you just want to party?! This is a great way to blow off steam and maybe make a new friend. Because you are away from home, pay special attention to your safety and always be on alert. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is a great place to both party and eat amazing Creole and Southern food. (I plan on going in 2019) Amsterdam is my favorite European city that I’ve been to so far and can definitely be a party destination if that’s your goal, as well as a great place to eat Indonesian food and look at important historical art. Amsterdam is an open-minded place, where smoking marijuana and paying for “intimate” experiences is both legal and highly regulated.

 

 

POLITICAL CLIMATE

Just because you’re able to travel, does not mean you can travel just anywhere. When you start narrowing down your top choices, look online at your home country’s travel advisory website. Do not do too much planning before you find out it is to unsafe to even venture there in the first place! Pay attention to the news before your trip, and during, to be on the look out for any new political changes in the country you travel to. Some will say that you should not advertise that you are American while traveling, because it may upset or offend people in other countries who do not agree with American foreign policy. You can try to veil where you are from, but more times than not, people will usually be able to already tell you are an American based on your accent and how you dress. Just remember, you are a visitor to their land so when in doubt, always be patient, respectful, and kind to everyone you encounter on your trip.

 

 

ACCESSIBILITY

The world may be your oyster, but it was not designed to make you feel accommodated or comfortable at all times. If you are from Western countries such as the United States or Australia, there are many places in the world to choose from where you can travel and feel safe. The staff at those places will likely speak English or French, and there will be familiar Western-style foods to choose from. But this is not the case everywhere. Some countries may be welcoming to tourists, but you may have a language barrier to deal with. This can be seen as frustrating for some, or a great way to connect across cultures for others. No matter where you travel, even within the United States or your own home country, there will be factors you need to adjust to. Part of being a traveler is to accept those differences in order to broaden your horizons and ultimately enrich your experience for the better. There is beauty in change, so embrace it!

If you are a person with physical or mental impairments, consider if the place you want to travel to can accommodate you so that you can fully enjoy yourself on vacation. There are many cruises that are perfect for accommodating paraplegic and wheelchair bound individuals because cruise lines that disembark from an American port are required by law to comply with ADA standards. Do an internet search of reviews by people with your same condition and don’t just take the establishment’s word for it. Also consider going on tours where you can travel with people who share your condition, which in turn can raise your overall comfort level.

 

Now is the time to start narrowing down or choosing your next destination! Hopefully you have been taking notes but don’t worry if you haven’t decided yet. These categories will help you to choose your vacation faster as you continue to do your research.

 

Happy Searching!

 

P.S. I’d love to hear your travel plans, so please comment your ideas below!

Helpful Links:

https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-09-19/the-world-s-best-cities-for-arts-and-culture-lovers

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/