Traveling this Summer?

Summer is one of the most popular times of the year to travel and go on trips. From families to high school seniors, this is the time to go on your next adventure. As much as we all enjoy spontaneous trips and vacations, there always is a little planning involved whether you realize it or not. Keep in mind the order of these steps can vary as flights are cheaper the earlier on and some hotels only allow booking when it’s close to the check-in date, etc. Traveling can be easy, you simply have to plan.

Lodging

Spontaneity aside, when you want to go on a long expensive trip, there are a variety of things to reserve, pay, and gather in order for your trip to be a success. In my case, I have planned a large trip to California this summer with multiple destinations and attractions; six to be exact. For trips like these, you should always plan ahead in terms of lodging. Assuming you know where you want to go, check out the ideal accommodations for the trip you plan on taking. For example, if you are going on a cruise, check out the different cabins available, or if you’re going to the city, investigate the best deals on hotels or Airbnb’s in that area. Or if you want to camp, make sure you bring the proper supplies and reserve a campsite ahead of time. You probably don’t want to have to sleep in your car at a ski resort, whereas on a Southern California beach it might not sound too bad. To learn the area you’re going to, the weather, the reputation, the culture, everything.

Transportation

Once you have where you want to go and where you are going to sleep, figure out how you will get there. Research the cheapest flights, book tickets on an Amtrak, charter a ferry, or decide on whose car you’re taking. If you are flying, then figure out the rules and restrictions of the Airline and destination. Many countries, like the U.S., have various restrictions for products coming in and they change from country to country. Once you land, you’ll have to figure out how to get to your hotel or attraction too. Whether that be walking, hailing a taxi, or taking public transit, you will need a way to get to where you’re going. If you decide to drive your own car or rent one, things get a lot simpler. With a car of your own, you can go pretty much where you want, when you want, and with who you want. You will be on your schedule and hopefully won’t be pressed for time. If you do take your own car in the summer, there are certain things to be aware of too.

Meals

Now you should plan out where and what you are going to eat on your trip. If you bring all your meals with you, be sure to pack a cooler, plenty of ice, and a way to cook any food that needs cooking. The hotel or studio you’re staying at will probably not have a fridge or stove to cook or keep anything. Now if you don’t wish to bring your own food, then you’ll have to plan and budget meals out. This can add a large expense to the trip. Eating all three meals out every day makes it difficult to budget. However, the point of a trip is to try new things and have fun, so I would recommend a combination of bringing some meals and going out for others. That way you are able to save a little money while still trying new things and having fun out to eat.

Although this prep step list only covers a few of the basics to planning a trip, you should be mildly prepared if you decided not to look at any other travel blog before you left. I feel you would be horrifically ill-prepared if you did this though. None-the-less, you should now have an understanding of the many many steps involved in planning for a vacation or trip and it might entice you, even more, to book an all-inclusive to save yourself many a migraine. You’re welcome.

Author: B. Delamater