#1 Pick your Destination

The magnificent beauty of our world makes choosing a destination one the hardest, yet most exciting aspects of planning a trip. The trill of being somewhere new contributes to our desire to explore unfamiliar places. A great place to begin planning the perfect trip involves brainstorming countries or cities you have always dreamed of visiting. Don’t forget to consider all the sightseeing or activities you may have in mind as well. For some, it may be roaming the cobblestone streets of a historical European city. For others, a dream vacation may entail soaking up the sun on a beautiful beach down south. It is important to keep in mind how your personality and ideal itinerary will align with the culture in which you are entering. Simply put, plan your trip around the specific experiences you hope to gain.

#2 Party of One, Two, or Three?

Will you be travelling alone to your dream destination? Or maybe with a loved one or group of friends? Evaluate your options and make sure your interests and priorities align with the people you chose to share your experience with.

#3 Research and Research Some More

Conducting research will help mitigate any surprises or unwanted stress throughout the duration of your trip.  In order to ensure you get all that you bargained for, it is best to leave minimal questions unanswered. There has never been an easier time to discover all you need to know about a particular place. Although this can be an intimidating and time-consuming task, the resources are at your fingertips. Use them! By collecting all the necessary information, you need to know, the likelihood of achieving your perfect trip goes through the roof. Due to the mass amount of information circulating the internet, never be afraid to ask for additional help from your family, travelling buddies or professionals.

#4 Budget your Money and Time

After familiarizing yourself with all you need to know, it is time to determine how/where you will be spending your money and time. We all have those dream destinations but unfortunately, some are more realistic than others. The logistical bookings such as flights, accommodations and restaurant reservations require monetary attention. Needless to say, creating a budget can be a daunting task and many different variables must be considered. Unlike going skydiving or befriending locals, this is not the time to spontaneous. Being responsible and realistic with your money will avoid conflict or concern. Although it is hard to put a price on memories, a blatant disregard for future financial security may take away from the positive memories associated with a particular vacation. If need be, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether that be from a friend, travel advisor or Google, resources are always available.

#5 Be Flexible and Stay Positive

The phrase “the perfect trip” is interesting in itself. It is unrealistic to expect things in life to work out perfectly because the reality is a great deal of what happens is out of are control. Pretending or expecting travelling to always be fun may lead to disappointment. The hassle of lost luggage or flight delays should not make or break your experience. However, the way in which we approach these challenges is in our control. By remaining positive and attempting to make the most out of a difficult situation, some of the best memories are created that will last a lifetime. Roll with the punches and see where it takes you.

#6 Step Outside of your Comfort Zone

By challenging yourself to broaden your perspective, you may return home with a new mentality or a greater sense of knowledge about the world. Make the effort to familiarize yourself with the traditions or historical practices that align with your destination. Immersing yourself in the culture and trying something new helps create those once-in-a-life-time experiences that we are all longing for. By making the effort to unplug as much as possible, your travel experience will not be diminished from the impact technology has on our daily lives. Don’t worry, you will have a plethora of time to post those cute pics on Instagram once you are home. Look up, it’s quite the view.