· The Fourth step for you is to simply decide
why you want to travel. Is it to just escape the daily
grind and relax? Is it to find adventure through close contact with nature?
Maybe you’ve developed a specialized interest in sports like golf, hunting,
scuba, or skiing, or are looking to pursue a culinary journey of
exploration. Although there are
limitless reasons to travel the globe, most travelers leave home with a
specific agenda in mind.
This site specializes in assisting the independent casual vacation
traveler to get a clear picture of destination cities. It is a first-stop
web site. You’ll get great information at
this site to create the plan of your next vacation.
There are
other sites out there that can help with flights and rental cars. No one budget
limits this site because there are always wonderful things to experience
that are free, and some activities that will be a burden on the wallet, but
worthy of a splurge. We present the
information then you decide what’s best for your budget, your interests, and
your time. But the basics are always the same. Here are some important
factors to consider when choosing a destination and building an itinerary.
(Where to Get Ideas) Find points of interest, holidays, &
festivals
Most bookstores and libraries have designated “Travel” sections to
explore. Books and magazines with photographs are key
because photos are less subject to interpretation by authors. You can find an extraordinary number of
photos on the internet but due to liberal standards they are not edited with
the same standards as you’ll find in travel books.
When choosing a travel book, make sure you find the most up-to-date version. Too many things may change in a year or two, including hotel and restaurant openings. If you can’t locate a book that is more current than the last three years, be forewarned that the information may be outdated. This is a wonderful advantage of the instantaneous web site like this one. The links to hotels and restaurants are as current as they want it to be. Rates and prices change, but most businesses address those changes immediately, on their own web site.
Cultural
holidays, religious points of interest, and cuisine tend to be dependably
current.
Gathering current information
Internet websites provide an overwhelming abundance of information for
both the seasoned and novice traveler. Start with www.google.com ,
www.yahoo.com or www.ask.com
and just enter the name of the place you are considering. Check out the U.S. Government website (http://travel.state.gov/travel)
for warnings. Although it publishes all
the data it prefers to err on the side of caution almost always.
Check out the national and local government-sponsored websites of your
destination. These will list holidays, festivals, and other current events that
may be of interest to you, or may be best to avoid. Looking at local newspapers
of the area you are considering to visit may also yield the most current, and
often the most accurate information about current events. There are
several sources for newspapers, such as bookstores and libraries, but we like http://newspaper-world.com.
Scroll through the many websites it offers. Internet chat rooms and travel
message boards can provide information from people intimately familiar with the
places you’re considering, and may offer exceptionally current and honest
appraisals of hotels, restaurants, museums, and other attractions.
Dealing
with the weather.
Too much rain, or too much heat can ruin a
well-planned trip. Your best chance at picking the right time to visit a
destination, short of becoming a meteorologist, is to always check when making
future plans for long-range weather conditions with www.besttimetogo.com.
Our easy-to-read historical information shows what kind of weather has occurred
for the time of the year you hope to be at your destination. It may help you to plan the best time to go
for you.
Finding the best flight prices
The Internet has created a number of online airfare auction sites that
help with airline fares. There are several comparison-type websites, like www.priceline.com and www.metafares.com that
show a range of prices from many different companies. The list of companies
that will help you find great prices for flights grows almost daily. We have provided you with a batch of great internet sites
and you’ll find plenty to choose from listed right here on this web site. Some are better than others. Different sites
will offer different prices for the same flight. Checking back later at
different times on different days can be a new opportunity to find something
cheaper. If you notice a shortage of availability of flight seats, that may
indicate a crowded time of year to be visiting.
But maybe you’ll want to book a trip a month earlier. This may mean
cheaper prices on flights, hotels, and restaurants. Try to book flights and hotels
where a liberal policy of allowing cancellations is in place.
Traveling Locally
For overland travel, especially for short distances, consider trains and buses rather than rental cars and commuter flights. Using a public ferry to make a journey is faster, cheaper, and easier to arrange than using a cruise ship for a short trip. Okay, they are not as comfortable and seldom is food as good, but the time and money saved is enough to have this as an alternative choice. They may be inexpensive, convenient, and oftentimes faster. They also allow visitors to experience life the way the locals do and can enrich your understanding of the culture. And don’t forget about the other very unique alternative modes of getting from point A to point B. Depending on your destination, anything from scooters to rickshaws to camel processions may be available and are transportation options that add color and variety to any traveler’s adventure. However, lots of luggage may discourage a traveler from looking at these alternatives. Another reason to travel light.
Keeping an eye on inflation
Getting the best exchange rate for your money depends on knowing what
money is worth here versus there. Many countries have serious problems with
inflation and changing currency. Watch the travel section of major newspapers
or look at websites like www.oanda.com to see what is happening to
the currency compared to a year ago. If your U.S. dollar can get fewer Euros,
for example, than two years ago then the cost-of-living as a tourist has increased.
Destinations that are experiencing rampant inflation are usually great travel
bargains. Compare what your currency
could have bought last year. Can you buy
more or less now?