Where You Want To Go
Trip Planning Is More Than Throwing Darts At A Map

So where do you start? Well, you need to take into account how many days you have and what your budget is.... then start talking to the people you will be traveling with. The kids will probably say Disneyland or Disney World. You could do that... again... or you could break out and do something you've always dreamed about.

And your dreams about where you want to go can be domestic or international. Don't limit yourself when you're dreaming. Trip planning can work for you. If you plan this right, you might just surprise yourself and find that you CAN afford it. Of course, in this economy, I advocate only taking the trip you can afford, otherwise you will come home full of regret instead of great memories.

A good place to start trip planning is the old TV. What television programs have you watched that make you want to pack your bags and go there? Do you like travel shows? Wildlife shows? Culinary adventures?

Check out travel magazines. If you don't get any yourself, you can probably find them in your dentist or doctor's office. You might find a destination that you've never heard of before... but it looks inviting, and it fits your budget.

Get brochures. Look at standard tours. The pictures will get you dreaming more, and the itinerary will give you an idea of what's possible for your length of time. If you want to go to a beach, could you make it a beach in Mexico or on a Greek Island instead of Florida? (Nothing against Florida and Disney World... just trying to get you thinking outside the box to decide where you want to go!)

Check with your local travel agencies. They’ll have lots of brochures and information for trip planning. You may want to book on the internet, or you may find that it's easier to have an agent set things up for you. Keep in mind that the economy and airline compensation have changed the way travel agents work. Some agents now have to charge for their services. Still, don’t overlook this resource.

Use the state or national travel agency.... Most states in the United States have a bureau that promotes travel to their state. If you're thinking of traveling abroad, contact the national travel agency of the countries you think you might want to visit. You can find these on the internet.

Now back to your budget. Is this going to be a splurge or a budget trip? Write down a figure. Then write down all of the possibilities for where you want to go. If your dream destination will break the bank, you might want to make it a shorter trip or save the research for a later date. But travel research is never wasted. If you have ideas written down, you might just find that next time you’re trip planning and thinking about where you want to go, you’ll have a destination all picked out!

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it!   Judy and Mark

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