Like many others, I am looking forward to the end of the pandemic when we can all go back to our regular lives and our new normal. Some of the things I’ve been missing most are visiting my extended family, gathering with friends, and TRAVEL! Here are a few tips on how to plan the vacation you’ve been dreaming about throughout the pandemic:
Budget
It is important to set a realistic goal of how much you can spend. Vacations are a time to relax and enjoy visiting different places, learning from different cultures, making new friends and not to be stress about the travel expenses while there or when we come back home. By budgeting before you go, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got the funds to enjoy your vacation in full.
Location
Choosing where to go may not be an easy task since there are so many beautiful places around the world. I suggest narrowing your list to 3 options, taking into consideration the distance from your hometown, what are you looking for on your trip, and your budget. Maybe you want to relax at the beach while drinking some mojitos, or maybe what you’re really looking for is something more adventurous like practicing a specific sport. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve will help you to make the final decision on where to go.
Find a good travel advisor
It is important that you find a knowledgeable person who is up to date with the latest pandemic regulations per country, has reliable partners at the right places, and knows the destination and its culture so they can give you all the inside information you need to travel safely and have the trip of a lifetime. People tend to think that a travel advisor will charge you extra for planning a vacation for you. In reality, most travel advisors don’t. What they do have is the best insider information of the travel industry and usually a wealth of personal travel experience, making them an excellent support in planning for your destination. A good travel advisor will help you with all the planning and booking of your vacation from air fare to hotels, transportation, your itinerary, attractions, and travel insurance (which is especially important to have, even more so after COVID!).
Best time to travel
Don’t forget to consider the weather at the time that you have planned to visit your dream place. You don’t want to go to expect to enjoy the beach and heat, when in reality the destination is in its rainy season. This will also help you to pack the appropriate clothing for your time there.
Accommodations
Think about where you want to stay and keep your travel party in mind for this decision. You have so many options to pick from, like an all-inclusive resort, a boutique hotel, vacation rentals that allow you more privacy, or a family friendly hotel to name just a few. With accommodations is also important to think about location: maybe you want to be in the middle of the action and have everything in walking distance, or maybe you prefer to stay in a calmer area.
Itinerary
You probably have some places in mind that you do not want to miss while you are there. Some attractions are not open all year long or are closed on specific days of the week, so it’s good to check your top spots’ schedules before you go.
Be smart
Some of the things that have come to be because of the COVID pandemic – hygiene rules and habits, for instance – are here to stay. Be sure to wash your hands as soon as you pass airport security. Check out some resources before you travel: CDC and U.S. Department of State websites for the latest information, or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which shares your contact information with the nearest U.S. embassy and sends travel alert notifications.
Where is your next dream vacation spot? I’d love to hear about it! Leave me a comment below, and reach out if you’d like to learn more about working with a travel advisor to plan your next vacation.
Enjoy!!!
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