By So you’ve finally decided to give travel a go.
Trust me, it’s the best decision you took. Think about all the wonders you will learn and discover. Everything seems exciting and you can feel a myriad of emotions from anticipation to curiosity and joy.
But have you already decided on your destination ? I know, it can be a daunting task to knock out all of these beautiful places you have on your bucket list for a single destination. This is why I came up with an easy checklist, so you can make the best decision for this Travel Experience.
Where to travel?
Unless you have the time and resources, you could probably opt for a world tour. But if you are like me and you have a limited budget, you have to go through some serious decision making and planning in order to get the best out of this experience.
This choice of destination might somehow influence some of the following:
The kind of experience you are looking for
Is it a romantic getaway? You might be looking to escape winter or embrace the cold feelings of holidays, adventure, shopping or even a cultural experience.
Some destinations based on your preferences:
Relaxation: Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Bali
Shopping: Paris – France, New York – USA, Milan – Italy
Gastronomy: Peru, France, India, Italy, Japan
Adventure & Nature: Kenya, South Africa, Iceland, Hawaii
Cultural experience: India, Cambodia, Japan, Bhutan
Historical: Egypt, India,Greece, Rome
Your travel partners
You will certainly have to make some compromises, depending on those who will be accompanying you if ever you are not traveling solo. Whether it’s with family or friends, they all have different interests. Say for instance you will be traveling with your spouse and one of you wants a shopping experience while the other simply wants to lie back on a beach. Do not forget to take note of their likes and dislikes in your decision-making.
Your travel budget
Consider your budget the backbone of your planning when choosing a destination. It all comes down to this: you cannot blow out your bank balance in one trip and go penniless when you come back. Nowadays, we are not anymore limited to expensive travel costs. Each destination will require varying budgets. You can easily weigh your options of flights, Accommodation as well as fluctuate your travel dates in order to meet your budget.
Your travel period
Seasonality impacts your choice of destination as unlike some countries, which welcome tourists all year round, others have specific times of the year to be best visited. It goes along with the fact that the costs of flights, accommodations etc. will be fluctuating accordingly.
Consider your interests and things you enjoy. Pinterest is an interesting platform to search for inspirations
Safety
When opting for a destination, you have to keep your safety in mind at all times. It’s best to be well-advised and go for countries that have a safe reputation. Do not forget to check on the geopolitical stability of the country and ensure that you are not landing in a place actively in war.
Festivals
You probably do not want to miss out on well-known events and festivals occurring at the time that you are travelling. These can be one in a lifetime opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of the country you are visiting.
Some festivals not to miss:
• Holi – India (March)
• Diwali – India
• Chinese New Year – China
• La tomatina – Spain (August)
• Oktoberfest – Germany (October)
• Pingxi Lantern Festival (Taiwan)
Cultural aspect of the destination
The cultural aspect of your destination can give you an idea as to what to expect from the destination mood and vibe. It’s so important to respect the locals and their culture in order to blend well and be welcomed by them accordingly. If you feel thats a certain destination’s culture won’t suit you, then hop on to the next option.
Language & Culture
Language barriers can potentially affect your choice of destination. However, it’s so much easier nowadays as there are so many apps which you can download to help you blend in with the locals. If you are looking for a more human touch, then look up for a local guide, who will definitely come along with an additional cost, but for sure, he/she will offer you more in depth guide and facilitate your stay.
