Jack Rabbit Jakarta

An Expat's Blog

Travel

Factors to Consider Before Picking a Travel Destination

There are more than enough reasons to take a vacation, either a long one or just a quick weekend getaway. Traveling helps in learning, expands knowledge about things and places, experience new cultures, and mingle with people from different backgrounds among other benefits. Some might even have recently discovered, thanks to a resource like these Morning Call obits, that their family history can be traced back to a place they previously thought they had no connection with, so will plan a trip to this destination in order to learn more about what makes them who they really are, and explore the local culture. At the end of it all, the most important thing is that after a trip, I come home relaxed, physically and mentally set to take on daily challenges afresh. This is why you may think heading to a Scottsdale Resort near Camelback is a safe bet for trying to do just that.

That said, there are some considerations to have in mind before picking the next destination to explore. I travel frequently, and mostly I learn from my mistakes of not considering certain aspects before settling for a destination. I have put together several of these factors with the hope that they can be of help to the next globetrotter out there!

Budget

This is the most crucial factor I consider when picking a travel destination. How much I have saved for vacation will significantly influence the destination I choose. I consider my accommodation, transportation, and if the sites I visit are charged or free. I usually don’t have a huge travel budget because there are so many breathtaking destinations that do not require one to have a lot of money. However, I try to visit locations that are below or within my budget. This ensures that I have the fun I crave and also not strain myself financially.

Number of Travel Buddies

When I’m traveling with companions, I always try to keep in mind how many they are, their preferred activities, favorite destinations, and favorite foods before settling. I find myself struggling to pick a travel location when traveling with other people, but when everything is planned, I end up having so much fun. I advise you to choose a travel destination that will suit everyone in one way or another.

Means of Transportation And Communication

I mostly ensure I research and know about the type of transport available at the destination I’m considering visiting. There is a time I visited a location where getting a taxi would take almost an hour, and sometimes it would not come at all. I was forced to use public means, which was a new experience for me, but one I was not very comfortable with. I consider the availability of transportation means a vital factor before picking a destination.

I also try and ensure the destination I pick has an excellent network, internet connectivity, and great communication channels. The reason is I have to keep in touch with my family and friends back home. I might also be needed for official work in the middle of the vacation, which might cause delays and miscommunications. Other times I may require to use a map application, which is a futile attempt in places with poor connectivity.

Choices of Accommodation

I always find that accommodation plays a significant part in a vacation. While most people would settle for a clean room with a bed and a bathroom, I am one of those people who likes to feel comfortable and settled in an accommodation. I want it to feel like home. So, before settling on a destination, I make it my mission to scope out the different types of accommodation that they have to offer too.

I even helped out my friend find the best place to stay a couple of months ago. She wanted to visit Los Cabos, and on our search for hotels, we came across somewhere like Exceptional Villas that provided luxury villa rentals. And, wow! They definitely got our attention. They were beautiful and definitely confirmed to my friend that this is where she wanted to go on her vacation. Since then, I have made it my mission to achieve the same sort of thing. It is not the make or break of a holiday, but it definitely makes all the difference.

Timing

I consider the time of the month or year I’m planning to travel for proper planning and preparation. I try to avoid peak travel seasons like during summer when the beaches are full of people, and most of the hotels near these beaches have inflated their charges. If I need a vacation during such seasons, I choose locations that are less frequented by tourists.

I also consider the duration I’m planning to take the trip. If it’s a short weekend getaway, I try to pick locations closer to where I live as opposed to international travel for when I have enough time to quench my wanderlust spirit.

Visas, Travel Advisories and Vaccines

Many international destinations will require one to get a visa and get some specified vaccines before traveling. For many countries, getting a visa is very easy. However, some countries have a very complicated process of acquiring one. These I always try to avoid. I ensure to check if any travel advisories are barring me from traveling to specific destinations to avoid any last-minute disappointments.

Safety

Crime is always a possibility no matter where you travel. Some countries are more known for trying to scam or steal from tourists but that does not mean a safer country eliminates the possibility that you are taken advantage of.

Travel Advisories will often highlight certain scams, dangers, and other things to be aware of when traveling, such as the demographic criminals like to target. Consider getting duplicates of your important documents and carrying those instead of the real copies. However I heard some countries may change the law regarding this, therefore you should read more news here before taking the decision.

Preferred Activities

Before considering a location, I always consider the activities I prefer and those of my travel companions. Personally, I love nature walks, site seeing, and mountain climbing. A few of my friends love swimming, diving activities, and sports such as bungee jumping. We have a lot of locations that support such activities in one place across the world. Choosing the destination that we will all love, enjoy, and have fun is the only tricky part I endure.

These considerations may appear trivial, but I have experienced firsthand how failure to observe them can cause inconveniences. I try to pick lessons from each trip and I have to say following them makes trips much more enjoyable, hassle-free, and worthwhile.