What to Consider When Choosing Your Vacation Destination
by Jenny Javitch, Founder of Global Game Plan
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase.
Do you dream of traveling, but haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly where you want to go? Let’s face it, there are so many wonderful places to visit and ideal vacation choices that make it challenging to choose your destination.
So, how do you decide where to go on vacation? First, start off by thinking about the purpose and vision of your trip. Who will your travel companions be? Whether you are considering a visit to one of the most famous cities in the United States, taking a long-awaited international vacation, checking off something from your bucket list or planning for summer vacation, deciding on your trip’s purpose and your travel companions is the first step in planning a vacation.
Many factors that influence travel destination choices come down to personal preference, but here is what to consider when choosing your vacation destination:
Weather
What type of weather are you hoping to experience on your trip? Are you looking for an escape to warm weather on a beach resort during the winter season, or are you excited about planning a cold-weather vacation?
Having good or bad weather can make a significant difference on your vacation, so at the beginning of your travel planning it’s important to choose the correct season or type of weather for your desired trip.
To get more information, you can search the weather conditions in specific destinations or scan the best places to travel by month.
Travel Season, Crowds & Cost
Are you planning to visit your desired destination at a popular travel time? Think about how you would feel if your destination was crowded with so many other tourists that it was difficult to enjoy your vacation. For example, some of the U.S. National Parks have been extremely busy over the past few summers because of their popularity during the pandemic. London, Paris, Barcelona and Tokyo are always popular travel destination choices, and visiting the most famous cities in the U.S. when everyone else is planning to go might result in a crowded experience. However, if you are able to visit them during a less busy time, you could have the ideal vacation.
Consider a trip during shoulder season, when there are fewer tourists and you can spend less money on transportation and lodging costs, have an easier time finding a dinner reservation, and avoid long lines and lots of crowds. You can also check out the least-visited countries in the world to find a unique destination for your vacation.
All this being said, if you have a dream travel destination in mind, the best way to work around these issues is to plan ahead for your vacation.
Vacation Length
Consider the amount of time you have allotted for this vacation and the distance you would travel, as both are important factors that influence travel destination choices.
Is the amount of time you have designated for your vacation enough to experience your desired destination? Flying all the way to Europe for a four-day trip probably won’t result in an ideal vacation, but if you choose a travel destination that’s closer you will have more time to explore and enjoy your local activities.
Asking “where in the world should I go for two weeks” is a very different question than finding the perfect weekend getaway, and the difference is understanding that the length of your vacation impacts your destination options.
Between family commitments, work responsibilities and other life business, we don’t always have the luxury of choosing our vacation schedule, so do the best you can with what you have to work with. A few suggestions on ways to lengthen your trip:
Plan a vacation around a business trip or a work conference - add on some extra days for sightseeing or bring your family members along before or after the trip.
Plan a vacation back-to-back with provided work holiday days…unfortunately these might be on more popular travel days but hey, extra vacation days are extra vacation days.
If your flight path includes a long airport layover, consider leaving the airport or planning a stopover in another country so your travel experience can include two destinations in one trip.
Transportation Routes & Lodging Availability
Before booking, research your flight or other transportation routes to and from your destination to ensure there is an efficient travel path that fits in your designated travel budget.
For popular destinations, some types of lodging and flights may be limited in both schedule and availability, especially if you are booking last minute. When choosing a travel destination, be sure there is availability before you commit to a specific location.
Consider staying in an Airbnb instead of a hotel as this may expand your lodging options.
Related Tips: If you will be flying by plane, start your search with Google Flights. Additionally, Rome2rio is a great travel resource for searching travel routes across all modes of transportation (train, bus, etc.)
Activities & Experiences
Think about the activities you want to do when you dream of traveling, or the experiences you’re looking to have on your vacation. Are you planning your trip around your birthday, a seasonal activity, concert, sporting event or a special travel theme?
If you are prioritizing vacation activities, then it’s a good idea to check the dates and availability of these activities to ensure they match up with the time you are able to visit this destination. Otherwise, you can plan your activities after your transportation and lodging are booked.
Need help finding fun vacation activities? Global Game Plan can help! One of our custom trip services is to curate a list of travel activities, so contact us to get started!
International Travel Logistics
If you are traveling out of the country, these factors will influence your decision and help you choose a travel destination.
Passport and Visas – Did you know that many countries require your passport to be valid 6 months from the date of your trip? If this is your first time traveling abroad or your passport’s expiration date is nearing you will need to get a new passport or renew your current one. Also check to see if you need a visa to visit the country of your choice.
Health & Safety - Consider your personal safety with regards to the current pandemic and also review any worldwide travel advisories that may be in place. If you decide to travel abroad, you should purchase travel insurance to cover unforeseen travel situations.
National Holidays - An often-overlooked challenge that comes up during international travel is national holidays in your destination country. On one hand this could be an opportunity for a unique cultural experience, but on the other hand there might be altered transportation schedules, shop and restaurant closures or adjusted hours and empty streets.
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After reviewing all the factors that influence travel destination choices, you should be able to answer the question “how do you decide where to go on vacation,” and make a final decision on your destination.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the process, don’t worry, Global Game Plan can help you! If you hire us to help you choose a travel destination, just tell us exactly what are looking for and we will use our resources to do the travel planning research for you. You will receive an emailed report of multiple destination options that fit your criteria and then you will be able to make your final decision.
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