Wonder how I decide on what my next destination is going to be? Read on to find out!
You’ve made the decision that you want to travel more. You’ve come to the realization that experiences are more important than possessions and you’ve put together a plan to start saving for your next big adventure. But how are you going to decide where to actually go?
“You'll only regret the things you didn’t do.”
Budget and time will undoubtedly play a big part in the decision making process but with so many amazing places in the world, how do you narrow down the choices?
If you’re like me, you’ll just want to go EVERYWHERE and explore every corner of the world! Other people may have a specific bucket list of places they want to travel to. Whichever situation you’re in, here are my top tips to help you choose your travel destinations.
Tips to help you choose where to travel to next
When starting to think about what kind of trip you’re after, it’s easier to pin-point the kind of destination you’d like by asking yourself a few questions.
Are you looking to explore a city? Lounge on a beach? Hike on a mountain?
Do you want to travel to a warm location or a cool location?
What kind of things would you like to do on your trip?
Are you looking for an adrenaline filled trip or relaxing trip?
Are you traveling with anyone?
Do you want to explore independently or with a tour group?
What‘s your budget?
How long are you planning on traveling for?
“It's not the destination, it's the journey.”
Here are some suggestions for getting into the right frame of mind.
Be open-minded
Traveling is all about exploring and seeing new places, experiencing new things. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to trek into the middle of a jungle. It could be a city, a lake, a landmark etc. Just be open to new places and experiences. Google is your friend here. Research about the place, read about it, and if it's some place that peaks your interest, give it a shot.
Be creative and flexible
Not all destinations are a straight shot from one airport to another. Sometimes you have to think a little bit outside of the box to figure out how you'll get to your final destination. This usually takes a little bit of planning ahead of time and creativity. Sometimes, flights get cancelled or plans have to change suddenly. Be flexible. Some of my best stories have come when things don't go completely according to plan.
Consider the alternatives
Every country has the “popular” and “must see“ sites and however amazing those places may be, they’re also usually a lot more crowded and expensive to visit. There are almost always secondary sites that are the “hidden gems” of the country that are every bit as special and amazing and are a more unique alternative, in addition to being less crowded.
Ask yourself ‘why’?
Why do you want to travel? Is it to get away to relax? Is it to reconnect with nature and balance yourself? Is it to spend time with friends or family? It’s easier to decide where you’re going when you know why you’re going there.
Remember the journey
Have you heard of the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Its the not the Destination, It's the journey.”? Don't forget about the journey when picking your destination. Even if you can fly to your destination, sometimes there are other options as well when you arrive to take you that "last mile". Think of buses or trains. Sometimes you can really get to see the landscape while relaxing to your destination that way. I've even arrived to a few places riding a camel.
Safe choices are okay too
While it's fun and exciting to take a few weeks to trek across Europe, going where ever the wind takes you, it's perfectly fine to take a weekend visiting Yosemite National Park for example. It doesn't matter if a million people have gone there before you or it's someplace that you've gone before. Personally, even if I've traveled someplace before, I love going back, because I can really take my time to explore all of the smaller, lesser known sites, because I probably have seen all of the main sites the first time around.
Go solo
What should you do now that you’ve found somewhere you REALLY want to go but you can't find anyone to go with you? Don’t let that stop you, go solo! Some of my best trips have been on my own, and if you really don’t want to travel on your own, go with a tour group! It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends from all around the world!
There’s always a budget option
Don’t let your budget stop you from traveling somewhere. Even the most expensive destinations usually have budget options. Hostels or camp grounds, free city tours and public transport, go to the local mom/pop cafes and restaurants and grocery stores for food rather than the fancy expensive restaurants. Be creative. Sometimes this creativity will show you more about the local experience and culture than if you were to stay in a larger hotel chain eating at all of the fancy restaurants that the locals probably don't frequently dine at.
Don’t dismiss your own backyard
I am definitely guilty of this one. I tend to always look for destinations farther away, figuring that all of the close destinations will be always there and I can visit them some other time. Traveling doesn’t have to include long flights to some far off land. Search a little closer to home, you’d be surprised by the hidden gems you might find.
Be decisive
Great! You’ve found a place that you want to go. Don't over think it or second guess yourself. Just start making the plans. Remember, you’ll only regret the things you didn’t do.
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