Traveling is one of the most exciting and enriching experiences we can have in life. Exploring new landscapes, immersing ourselves in different cultures, making new friends. Each trip offers you the opportunity to create lasting memories, grow as individual, and broaden your horizons. Now, to ensure that your adventure is smooth, rewarding, and pressure-free, proper planning is essential.
I’m not much of a planner myself; I believe in going with the flow of each place. However, there are a few things we inevitably need to plan (at least we have to buy the tickets, right? 😀) In this guide to planning your trip, I’ll take you through all the steps to plan an unforgettable journey! Including links to relevant websites that will help you in the process. I hope it helps you, as much as it helps me, to make your trip much smoother!
1 The Destination
Obviously, the first step 🙂. Ask yourself the right questions: When do you want to travel? You’d probably need to request time off from work or have a season that is easier for you to travel?. Would it be during the European summer? Then keep in mind that it’s winter in South America, or that European destinations will be more expensive. If you want to go on safari, you need to know which are the best seasons to go, and this depends on the country.
For this partucular holiday do you prefer beach, mountain or desert? Are you ready to walk 20 km a day or do you prefer a relaxing trip? do you need a visa? will you get it easily? You don’t know where you want to go and you are looking for inspiration? You can get inspired on My Blog or my Instagram
In short… Consider these factors: climate, tourist season, personal interests, and budget. Reflect on all these aspects, and when you have at least one region in mind, dive in and start looking at prices!
2 Visas and Vaccinations
Once you have the region or country decided, inform yourself about visas and whether you need any vaccinations. What documents do you need? How long will it take to get the visa? How much does it cost? Remember to confirm this before buying the ticket! (For example, if the visa takes two months, you can’t buy a ticket for next week! 🙂)
3 Plane Tickets
Depending on how far you’re going, flights can be the heaviest part of your budget, so dedicate some time to searching for them!
Personally, when I have a destination in mind, what I do is look for dates when flights to the destination are cheaper, and based on that, I’ll adjust my planning. Flexibility it’s the most obvious way to find cheap tickets. So, when looking for a trip, don’t use fixed dates, use the ‘flexible dates’ option so you can compare prices depending on the dates.
- Do I use a price comparison tool? Of course! The first step is to compare flight prices using different tools. For me, without a doubt, the best app to find cheap flights is Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com).
- Do I have to search for them using ‘incognito mode’? Honestly, to me, this is a myth; flights won’t change prices just for you because of your cookies or your search history, so I don’t worry about this at all.
- And the VPN? That really works for me! Prices vary depending on the country you’re in, so using a VPN that changes your IP and your “location” can help. Also, if you have friends in the country you’re traveling to, ask them to check the prices for you. (Doing this saved me more than 500 euros on my last trip to Colombia!)
- When to buy? I’ve always found that the best prices are around 3 months before traveling. If you buy them too close to the date or too far in advance, they’ll probably be more expensive.
- Should I buy round-trip tickets with the same airline? Generally, with Low Cost airlines, this isn’t necessary; sometimes I find that with these types of airlines, it’s cheaper to vary the airline. Plus, this gives me more flexibility (not all will have the same schedules or flight days). With traditional airlines, it’s different; it will be cheaper to buy round-trip tickets with the same one. Check if the airline offers “long layovers” or multi-destinations; this option can be more economical if you visit several places.
- What day to buy and what day to travel? It’s always better to buy at the beginning of the week (never on weekends!), and I’ve noticed that traveling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays is generally cheaper. For example, Skyscanner will tell you which months and days are the cheapest for your destination.
Important: Check the layovers carefully! Make sure there aren't too many (I never do more than one!) Also, check if you have to change airports and if you have enough time. With Low Cost airlines in particular, make sure that the airports are not too far from the city; it can happen that the transfer from the airport will cost you more than the ticket itself 🙁 (example: DO NOT travel to Paris with Ryanair!). Check how much luggage will cost; I always travel light and try not to check in luggage, but I know that sometimes it's impossible :)
4 Accommodation
Once you have the exact dates, it’s time to look for accommodation! For this, you also have several options. I almost always search on Booking; for a solo traveler or a couple, it’s generally cheaper. Always with free cancellation in case you change your mind. Whatever you’re looking for – hotels, entire apartments, hostels – you’ll find it all on Booking, allowing you to compare and choose the best comfort/budget options on a single platform.
Of course, you also have other options:
Airbnb, I don’t think it needs an explanation 🙂
Couchsurfing: It’s an online platform and community that connects travelers with local hosts willing to offer free accommodation 🙂 how cool is that? Besides helping you save money, it promotes cultural exchange and the creation of meaningful connections between people from different parts of the world. You’ll have the opportunity to meet locals who will surely give you tips on places to visit, local food to try, and cultural activities to enjoy, enriching your travel experience in a unique way!
Worldpackers: This platform offers you the opportunity to travel the world and live unforgettable experiences in exchange for your time and skills! Imagine traveling to exotic places like a farm in Thailand, a hostel in Portugal, or a school in Costa Rica, and being able to stay there for free in exchange for working a few hours a day. With Worldpackers, you can do it! You can choose from a wide variety of volunteer, work, or skill exchange opportunities worldwide. From teaching English in a remote community to helping with a conservation project in the Amazon rainforest. I have used it especially in Asia, and it’s worked out quite well for me!
5 Travel Insurance
When planning your next trip, there’s one detail you shouldn’t overlook: getting good travel insurance. No matter how well-planned your trip is, there’s always the possibility of unexpected events, from flight cancellations to medical emergencies abroad. Especially if in your destination you don’t have access to public healthcare, or public healthcare it not very good. If something happens, you’ll need to go to the private sector, which can be quite expensive! We always think that this kind of emergencies only happen to others… until they happen to us 😣!
If you're European and will be traveling within Europe, remember to get your European Health Insurance Card (which is different from the one you use in your own country).
I can’t emphasize this enough: Don’t risk ruining your trip by being unprepared. Getting travel insurance is a smart investment that allows you to fully enjoy your adventure without any worries.
6 Do I Know Any Locals or Expats Who Are or Have Been Recently in My Destination?
It seems obvious, but I’ll remind you anyway. I’m Venezuelan, and I imagine you already know that Venezuelans are everywhere around the world! Almost everywhere I go, I have a friend to visit 🙂
In addition to that, I’m a digital nomad, so I’ve lived in several different places and have always met people from all over the world who also spend their lives traveling a bit. What I usually do is post a story on my Instagram, like: Is anyone in XXX, or has anyone been there recently? And I almost always get a response! Even if the person won’t be in the city at the time of your trip, they can surely give you some recommendations!
7 Local Currency and Budget
One of the things that used to give me the most headaches before, was the issue of money and exchanging it into the local currency. I would ask myself if I needed to bring a lot of cash, if it would be easy to withdraw money at the destination, how much the fees would be for withdrawing money or paying with my card! Whether they accept cards or even cash! (Yes, the first time I went to Stockholm, I exchanged a lot of cash because it’s an expensive city, and it turned out that almost no places accepted cash 😣)
All of that is no longer a problem, although, of course, you still need to have an idea of the local currency. What are the customs, cash or card, how much things cost to organize yourself, and if there is an “unofficial” exchange rate (as it was the case in Argentina or Venezuela).
With the arrival of many online banks or financial platforms that offer you a quick, secure, and hassle-free way to manage your money, both at home and abroad. You can exchange currencies at the best exchange rate, have zero (or very low) fees for transactions abroad (including withdrawals), and can pay with the local currency. In short, it solves many problems!
There are several options; I use Revolut and Wise, I think they are the best on the market (two because you never know 😆!).
8 Transportation at Your Destination
Research the transportation options available at your destination. I always prefer public transportation, but that’s not always the best option for safety or practical reasons.
First, plan your transfer from the airport, don’t risk having surprises! Check if there is good public transportation or how much a private transfer (taxi, Uber or others) costs. If you’re going to take a very long flight, keep in mind that you’ll be tired.
For urban public transportation, I use the local transportation network app (if available) and Google Maps. Simple and efficient!
I also recommend to always having apps like Uber, Lyft, Bolt, Cabify, etc., downloaded.
Car Rental
Many times, it will be much more comfortable and practical to rent a car. You’ll have the freedom to explore at your own pace, according to your own schedule, and you won’t be limited to conventional tourist routes. Especially if you want to visit several cities and be able to make stops at whatever place that catch your attention, explore little-known and unusual nice villages.
Moreover, nowadays there are many flexible rental options and a wide range of vehicles available; you’ll surely find the perfect option to suit your needs and budget. Remember to check if you need an international driver’s license!
9 Reserve Your Activities
Honestly, I’m one of those who arrives in the city first and then organizes myself. I look at the activities available and choose what I like most, depending on the mood of the day, but there are some things I like to look at in advance.
If I have enough time, I like to simply explore the city, walk around, and get lost in the center. I search for expat activities (mostly on Facebook groups) to meet locals or expats living in the area, and they’ll surely give me the best recommendations. But if you’re short on time, it’s best to optimize! For this, I recommend looking at guided tours, even though it may not seem like it, some of them sell out quickly, so don’t wait until the last moment to book.
I always find the best ones on Civitatis; they have everything to discover the most fascinating corners around the world. From tours to historical monuments or places to adventures in nature, with local experts guiding you every step of the way, you’ll immerse yourself in the culture, history, and beauty of your destination in a unique way. What I like the most about Civitatis is that it has something for all tastes and budgets.
I also recommend looking in advance at the special events taking place in the city during your travel dates. For example, a River Plate – Boca Juniors soccer game in Buenos Aires, the Diwali festival in India, La Traviata in New York, The Lion King musical in Madrid, or an exhibition of your favorite artist in Paris! These events also sell out quickly, so you have to plan ahead!
Last but not least, restaurants are almost always the first thing I look at in my destinations 🙂. The best restaurants almost always require reservations, and many times these reservations have to be made well in advance, especially if they’re Michelin-starred or very famous restaurants at accessible prices (of which there are many!)
Extra: Relaxing Activities
Although it's tempting to want to do everything during your trip, it's also important to take time to relax and recharge your energy. Research options for spas, wellness centers, or yoga retreats at your destination where you can relax and rejuvenate. Websites like SpaFinder (www.spafinder.com) will help you find spas and wellness treatments worldwide. Schedule some relaxation activities in your itinerary to balance adventure with moments of tranquility and self-care.
10 Don’t get disconnected!
One of the most important things to consider is not to be without internet on your phone. Roaming can be quite expensive, and the truth is that having internet at hand will save your life many times!
Unless you’re going with the idea of total disconnection, I recommend getting a local SIM card. There are two ways to do this: a traditional (physical) SIM card that you can probably buy at the destination airport (check this first, as it varies from country to country), or an eSIM, which you can install on your phone even before departure. I always use those from Airalo; they always have the contry I’m visiting (that is not the case with most others eSIM providers).
Remember that if you have a European phone line, either because you live in Europe or because you bought one in the first European country you visited, it will serve you throughout Europe without roaming charges. However, be careful with the different limits for calls, SMS, and internet. Always inquire with your local operator.
11 What to Pack
You’re all set, now all that’s left to do is pack your suitcase!
I won’t tell you how to pack your suitcase 🙂 I believe we’re all different. For instance, I like to travel light (I’ve learned it over the years); I almost never check luggage, I always carry a backpack, even for my trips of a month or two (maybe three, if it’s not a winter destination 😛). Instead, a good friend of mine, with whom I often travel, feels the need to bring 3 suitcases for a weekend trip! 😂 I’ll never understand it, but I don’t judge; we’re all different.
Now, what I do recommend is that before traveling to a new destination, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local culture and etiquette. Research the customs, traditions, and social norms of the country to avoid accidentally offending the locals. Also, make sure you know the weather during your stay and pack accordingly. Don’t forget a small first aid kit, especially if you’re traveling to an exotic destination where it may be difficult to find your usual medications. I never travel without my ibuprofen, paracetamol, and stomach medications.
12 Maintain an Open and Flexible Attitude
I think it’s worth mentioning: Maintain an open and flexible attitude during your trip 😀. Despite meticulous planning, unforeseen events or unexpected changes in your plans may arise. Stay calm and adapt your itinerary as necessary to make the most of your travel experience. Remember that setbacks can turn into opportunities to explore new areas or have unexpected experiences that will enrich your journey!
13 Enjoy Your Adventure!
Finally, the time has come to embark on your journey and enjoy all the incredible experiences that await you! Live in the moment and immerse yourself in the local culture, try authentic food, make new friends, and create unforgettable memories that you will cherish forever. Don’t forget to take lots of photos and keep a travel journal to remember every moment of your adventure! 👏
I hope this guide has helped you, and now: Have a safe and unforgettable trip!