15 Little Tricks To Help You Plan Your Vacations
1. Navigate to the official tourism website of the cities and countries that you will visit. Start there for suggested itineraries, guides, maps, walking tours, and brochures. They may have their own apps or digital maps that you can download to take with you or print before you leave.
2. Visit your local library to read up on their guidebooks. They will most likely have travel magazines there as well.
3. Buy a good guidebook, either in written format or digital. There are many to choose from and each has their own preferred mode of travel: luxury, backpacking, and basic travel. I am a Lonely Planet guy myself, but that is just me.
4. Understand that foreigners living in that particular country write guidebooks. Each author has his or her own unique perspective and experiences in that country. Not everything they write will be the gospel truth. And the books may not be entirely up to date. Nor may they match your tastes in sites, hotels, or restaurants.
5. Check out tour Bus Company guides (such as Trafalgar or Contiki) for ideas of what to see. They will often focus on the key tourist attractions for each location. These guides are available online or can be found at your local travel agent.
6. Combine the above information with other Internet research sites. There are too many to mention but if you visit no other website, visit TripAdvisor.com.
7. Be aware of any Travel Warnings for your destination. Lonely Planet’s ‘Thorn Tree’ is a good resource. Your own country of residence should have travel warnings on their website as well. Canada, for example, has Travel Advisories at http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
8. Ensure that a travel visa is not required to visit the countries that you will visit before you leave. Some countries require a visa to be acquired and in your passport before you leave. This information will be available online as well.
9. Know where the local tourism offices are in the cities that you are going to visit. They are often a great source of information or can help in times of trouble.
10. The hotel star-rating guide does not rate quality. Rather it rates the facilities at the hotel. Keep this in mind if booking ahead of time.
11. Tear out only the pages of your guidebook that you will need (or photocopy them). No need to carry the entire book around. Keep them in a folder to help stay organized.
12. Know what you can and cannot bring back into the country. There is nothing worse than buying an item to find that it will be confiscated at customs. Or worse, get you in trouble with the authorities.
13. Know what you can take into a country. Some items, such as alcohol, are not allowed in all countries. Drugs bring the death penalty in some countries.
14. Depending upon which country you are visiting, it may be advisable to register with your embassy there. If there is a problem, your government will have an easier time to contact you.
15. Research the history, religion, culture, and important figures of your destination. Knowing the historical context of your destination will make the sites, buildings, and monuments you visit more meaningful.
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