Planning Your Next Trip

I previously blogged about the essentials when traveling or Traveling 101 which I learned from a talk during the Belle de Jour Planner fair/event.  So now, I'd like to share with you some tips I personally do in planning my next trip.  The basic word is "research".  But what should you research about?

Tourist Spots
Of course how can you be inspired to visit the destination of your choice if you don't know what's the famous tourist spots on that place.  I'm sure before you got eager to visit your next destination, you are somehow aware on where you want to visit or explore.  This is the first thing that I do, listing down all the tourist spots available in that place.  You can also check if there are packages available from an agency, hotel or tourist guide to help you visit your preferred destination without any worries.  But in case you're on a budget, you must just thoroughly research about it.  Some destinations, though, requires you to be accompanied by a tourist guide.

Accommodation
Scouting for an accommodation can be crucial as it is dependent on various factors like budget and its proximity to tourist destinations.  But one thing is for sure, for ever tourist spots you visit, there is at least one available accommodation or near to it.  If you will go on hopping from one area to another, finding an accommodation will be more challenging.  I remember our Surigao Adventure trip.  We visit a lot of provinces in 5-day trip which also resulted to staying to 3 different accommodations!

Transportation Schedule
Based on your choice of tourist destination, it is important to know the available transport schedule most especially if there are fixed schedule followed.  It is important to know the departure and arrival time as well as the intervals or the next available schedule.  This can be crucial in your itinerary planning most especially if you are following a tight schedule.   It is also important to know the travel time in going from one place to another.  This will help you determine which tourist spot to visit first or even skip out in case your schedule is tight (here's a sample of thorough transportation research that I made).  For a place with vast transportation system (e.g. trains in other countries such as Hong Kong), it would be best to print the whole train destination and its stops.  If you're availing a package tour, most of the time the transportation and fees are already covered.

Fares and Expenses
While determining the transportation schedule, it will be helpful to know the fares of each for budgetary purposes.  Same with scouting for accommodation.  Budget can also be one of your considerations most especially if it is limited.  You should also determine the rates, if any, of tours, entrance fees and other charges during the tour.  Most of the time, rates and fees are dependent on the number of people. Here is a sample of the expenses we incurred in one of our trips.


Itinerary
Most of the time, I prepare an itinerary for the whole trip from departing to Manila up to arriving to Manila including the time for each destination  (here's a sample itinerary).  Jotting down your itinerary can help you maximize your trip.  You will somehow have an idea on how your trip will flow.  From this itinerary, you will know if your trip is just right and not an "amazing race" type.  Some strictly follows their itinerary while some completely ditch it on the day of the trip itself.  It is up to you but an itinerary will help you forsee what you will be doing on your whole trip.  It can also be helpful if you have a "plan B" in case your initial itinerary did not push through due to unforseen circumstances.     


Things to Bring
Aside from the basics "what to bring" on a trip, it is important to know what other items you should be bringing in the various destination that you plan to visit.  For example, if you are planning to go on an island hoping the whole day, you should check how and where will you be having your lunch.  This may also entail providing lunch for your tour guide/s.  

Most of my trips are DIY or Do-It-Yourself.  That's why a thorough research is essential.  These are just some of the things I consider in my research.  In case you have other ideas, you may want to share them here.  Have a safe and enjoyable trip!