Ways to ensure your travelling goes to plan

You know I’m a bit OCD when it comes to organising my travelling plans. Spreadsheets and homework a-plenty to ensure the trip is the best it can be. What’s that saying – fail to prepare, prepare to fail? Does that work with travelling?

Could 2018 be the year you finally take that one-in-a-lifetime trip you’ve always dreamed of?

If you’ve always wanted to travel the world, or are planning a holiday somewhere new, you might not know where to start. But don’t worry – you’re in luck! Read on to find out how you can make sure your travel experience goes to plan, leaving you with only one task: to enjoy your adventure!

Research your destination of choice.

The more research you do around the country, or particular city, you want to visit, the better you will know their culture, customs and traditions. Find out if there will be any events or festivals on while you’re there – that you might want to avoid or attend – from their local tourist board. You should also find out what the weather will be like when you plan on travelling there, so you know what to pack or take with you.

Make a list.

Make sure you have made a list of sights, landmarks and attractions you want to see while you’re at your destination. Don’t forget to identify anything that you absolutely must seem and prioritise those.

Pre-book some things.

Even if you want a free, play-it-by-ear travel experience, it will definitely be worth having some parts of your trip booked. Make sure you’ve booked your place on any excursions that are particularly popular, to avoid disappointment. You may also find it helpful to book your accommodation for the first few nights, so you know you have a bed for the night before you go exploring.

Check out a virtual tour.

There are a wide variety of virtual tours online, that help you to get a brilliant insight into your desired destination – without having to leave your sofa! Tours like this one of Machu Picchu by Journey Latin America give you a 360-degree insight into key attractions, and are usually full of useful information you can use once you get there!

Make sure you can communicate.

Whether it’s with the local people living in your destination, or with people back home, making sure you have the right tools to communicate will help any trip run much more smoothly. Learn some conversational phrases to help you communicate while you’re there, and take a phrasebook with you that you can pull out when you need it. For getting in touch with people at home, always keep your phone fully charged, and take a power bank with you in case of emergencies.

Don’t forget the boring stuff.

Visas, transport, currency, travel insurance and vaccinations aren’t the most exciting part of planning a trip away, but they are the basics you need to sort before you go. Make sure each of these is ticked off!

Read plenty of reviews.

Before you make your final decisions, it’s best to read some reviews about your chosen location, accommodation and attractions. Websites like TripAdvisor offer valuable insight when you’re planning your holiday. The opinions of travel bloggers and vloggers can also be helpful if you need another perspective.

Have I covered everything? Let me know if you have any tips for making sure your travelling always goes to plan.