Planning your dream holiday for the first time? 

By avoiding the travel agents, you can carefully handcraft an adventure that’s perfectly suited to your tastes. Forget waiting in queues at the travel shop or blindly hoping that a package holiday will be right for you: when you plan it all yourself, you know exactly what you’ll be getting – and you can prep prepare the trip of a lifetime.

However, if you’ve never planned a holiday before, you might be surprised at just how many steps are involved in the process! To help you breeze through the logistics, we’ve outlined seven of the most important steps towards planning the perfect holiday. 

Decide on the type of trip you’d like 

Firstly, you should sit down to have a brainstorming session with your travel companions. Whether you’re jetting off with your partner, family, or just by yourself, it’s so important to have clear expectations from the start. 

If you have mixed opinions, you’ll need to reach a compromise. But, if possible, try and choose a location that gels with everybody’s interests, giving you all ample opportunities to truly relax and switch off during your break. 

For example, if you’re an active family, a beach setting with sports facilities could be perfect. Stripped-back, off-grid adventures suit the wilder solo travellers, while couples may prefer to get inspired by the best European cities to visit.

Set a budget

Next, you’ll need to think about how much money you can spend before and during the holiday. Holidays are often much more expensive once you arrive, so try to be careful with how much you’re willing to spend before you fly. 

Saving for your holiday throughout the year could help with this. You could set up a dedicated travel fund, use travel rewards programs, and look out for discounts or package deals. Don’t forget to include travel insurance in your budget, as this could be a lifeline if you or a family member fall ill or face unexpected difficulties holiday.

Give yourself some wiggle room for accommodation, because the quality of your bedroom or apartment will make a huge difference to your overall enjoyment of the trip. But some clear ideas of budget in mind, the rest of the planning will become so much easier for you.

Do your research

Once you’ve decided on your dream destination and how much you can spend on this holiday, it’s time to get started with some proper research. We suggest looking into flight months in advance, because leaving it last-minute always means sky-high prices and poor availability. 

Sign up to airline newsletters to receive the best possible deals, and don’t forget to use any loyalty points you might’ve acquired during the year on your flight too. The same goes for your inbound and outbound travel: try to book direct airport transfers in advance to save you time and effort before your trip. 

By doing all of this now, you could save hundreds or more on your travel, leaving you with more cash to spend when you’re away. Don’t just be swayed by the photos, because these can sometimes be artificially improved by hotel management to make the facility look more impressive than it is! Look for genuine customer reviews and learn how to spot a fake review

Get some recommendations

Whether you’re planning a wild Safari or a winter ski trip, try to speak to people you know who might’ve been to the same place or who’ve just returned from a similar trip. 

Getting firsthand experience is a fantastic way to get yourself prepared and stay safe while you’re exploring a new place, especially if you’re travelling with young children or going solo. 

Plus, a couple of restaurant recommendations certainly won’t go amiss. If you’re staying in a remote area, it could also be on the local language before you set off. You shouldn’t take for granted that everybody will speak English when you get there, and it’s part of the fun of going away!

Pack the essentials

Putting together a comprehensive packing checklist means that you won’t be caught out once you arrive. Try to get organised by tailoring your list to the destination, climate, and type of activities to expect. For a beach holiday, some of the essentials might include:

  • Daily clothes
  • A few pairs of shoes
  • Fitness clothes
  • Toiletries and beauty supplies
  • Swimwear and towels
  • SPF sun lotion
  • Hats, sunglasses, and other sun protection
  • Daily medications and a first-aid kit
  • Chargers for phones and devices
  • Wallet and cash in the local currency
  • Camera and headphones

It’s worth learning how to pack efficiently so you can fit more in your suitcase, too. Handy techniques like rolling clothes, using packing cubes, and bringing versatile clothing will make your luggage go further. 

Always stay prepared for the unexpected by packing extra copies of travel documents and an emergency contact list. And don’t forget your passport!

Focus on enjoyment

Don’t be tempted to put all the tourist hotspots just because it’s the trend!

Follow your own interests to craft an itinerary that suits you entirely and prioritises the quality time that you’ll spend away with loved ones. Remind yourself of what you really find important and try to incorporate that into your trip. 

Your motivations and passions might be totally different to something that you’ve seen on Instagram. Try not to compare yourself to others, especially when it comes to the glamorous outfits, high-end dining, and sense of overindulgence that’s often associated with going on holiday.

Be spontaneous

Finally, it’s important not to over-plan.

While the most important details like flights and accommodation should always be booked in advance, having some unscheduled days or blank spaces in your itinerary mean that you can make the most of those last-minute and unexpected moments that make a trip memorable. 

Leaving some free time means that when an opportunity presents itself, you can grab it with both hands and make irreplaceable, lifelong memories!


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