The Best Trip Planning Tips

Planning a trip can sometimes be as exciting as the trip itself. However, it often comes with its share of challenges and let’s remember that not everyone enjoys planning. To ensure a smooth and memorable travel experience, I’ve compiled some of my best trip-planning tips below. Let’s start planning your dream trip!

Deciding Where to Go

If you are anything like me, you have a bucket list of destinations ready at all times. That doesn’t mean if a friend asks me to go somewhere not on my list that I am going to turn it down though! Before you book your flight, spend some time researching your destination. A few things you may want to research include the culture, local customs, and noteworthy attractions. Check out travel blogs, guidebooks, and social media to gather insights and inspiration.

You could always just spin a globe and travel to the first place your finger finds, Courtney and I played this game recently and I landed on Tunisia! This previously wasn’t on my travel list but after researching a bit and seeing the beautiful architecture and beaches, Tunisia has been added to my bucket list!

The Best Trip Planning Tips - Astonished Abroad — London

Affording Your Trip

Next, budgeting is important, be sure to outline estimated expenses for accommodations, transportation, and sightseeing, and it is a good idea to have extra funds for unexpected costs. Use tools such as Google Flights and Skyscanner with dates but no destination, to see which places are cheapest during the period you plan to travel. If you have already researched places you want to go, this can be a great way to score affordable flights.

When searching for flights and accommodations, be sure to connect to a VPN. This will help prevent websites from tracking your browsing history and potentially offering increased fares due to repeated searches and demand.

It is said that you should purchase flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as they are said to be the cheapest days to book travel, especially internationally. While I haven’t necessarily noticed this, it certainly doesn’t hurt to try! One thing I do know for certain is the importance of signing up for airline rewards programs and grabbing yourself a rewards credit card. In the past two years, I’ve booked flights from the US to Spain, the UK, and France using airline miles! I’ve also written an entire post dedicated to saving money on travel.

Time of Year

Considering the timing of your trip is so important. You’ll usually want to avoid peak travel times for your destination due to higher costs and larger crowds. While peak seasons might offer vibrant and exciting atmospheres, off-peak periods can provide quieter experiences and potentially, save you some money. Potentially the biggest consideration with traveling off-season is the weather. If you are planning a beach getaway, you want to ensure you aren’t going during the rainy season or hurricane season.

However, I recently traveled to France during the European “off-season” which is generally considered to be between November and March and I had a great trip. As long as you have the right expectations headed on holiday and pack appropriately, you are already ahead of the game.

Packing List

If there is one thing that I am known for amongst my friends and family, it is my efficient packing ability! I took over 40 flights in 2023 and only checked a bag twice so hopefully that buys me some credibility. Be sure to create a packing list, focusing on essential items only. You’ll want to consider the weather and activities planned for your trip.

If you have yet to perfect your carry-on-only packing list, you are in luck! I share my tips on packing for one week in a carry-on here on the blog.

Where to Stay

Deciding where to stay on vacation is one of the more important decisions that can influence your entire travel experience. You’ll want to take into consideration location, whether you’ll stay in an Airbnb or hotel, and of course, budget will come into play. If you prefer to immerse yourself in the area you are visiting, Airbnb usually offers great options. On the other hand, you may want to take advantage of those hotel points and in that case, booking with your favorite hotel chain might be more your speed.

I also can’t stress enough how helpful reading reviews has been when selecting a place to stay. While pictures can tell you a lot, there are some things you’ll want to read from previous guests.

Whatever you decide, make sure the location works for you based on what attractions you’d like to explore. Being centrally located to landmarks, dining options, and vibrant nightlife can definitely impact your trip. So whether you stay in a hostel, a kid-friendly resort, or anything in between, keeping in mind the above factors will help you to make an informed decision and hopefully, enhance your overall travel experience.

Planning Side and Day Trips

One of my favorite ways to see new places is by planning side trips. Even visiting someplace new for just a day can add variety to your travel experience and offer opportunities to explore neighboring towns or countries. There are often historical sites and even natural wonders beyond your primary destination.

Whether you rent a car to explore a neighboring town or take the high speed train in Europe to another country, side trips have helped me to create unforgettable memories. Some examples of side trips I’ve taken include: Strasbourg from Paris, Sevilla from Granada, and Edinburgh from London.

Some other ideas include researching popular side trips from your destination. You may be able to easily take a day trip to a nearby vineyard or find an incredible hike to a scenic viewpoint. These types of trips allow you switch up your routine and can even allow you to gain a better understanding of the region’s diversity and culture.

Another way to see a new place is by taking advantage of layovers. When traveling from the US to Venice, Italy, I had a layover in Ireland so I used this as an opportunity to see a new country and spent a few days exploring Dublin.

Prioritizing Health and Wellness

In case you are new here, Astonished Abroad is on a mission to share our best travel & wellness tips with travelers like you! Courtney is an expert in the realm of healthy aging, she has over 10 years of experience as a proven leader within this specialty. She lives with Type 1 Diabetes and enjoys helping others in this community travel with ease. I am a Registered Dietitian and a Registered Yoga Teacher aiming to incorporate my yoga practice and healthy living into my travels as much as possible.

That said, it goes without saying that we believe that maintaining health and wellness during travel is vital. Staying hydrated, maintaining an appropriate sleep schedule, and sticking to a balanced diet will all help you travel healthy.

While I love enjoying the local cuisine while traveling, I believe it is still possible to stick to a healthy balance. Incorporating vegetables as much as possible, drinking plenty of water, and staying active are among the ways I prioritize health and wellness while traveling. Additionally, you can still enjoy local cuisine without eating out for every meal. If you are looking for ideas and recipes for quick and easy hotel room meals with or without a kitchen, look no further! I also wrote an entire post on maintaining your fitness routine while traveling. Be sure to check both posts out and let us know how you maintain your health and wellness while traveling in the comments!