We’ve made it in one piece! At least I hope that we all have. It’s 2020 and people are freaking out!. New year, new start, new experiences and here’s to setting all the new goals that you want to achieve in the next twelve months. As you’ve undoubtedly seen in your feed everyone, and I do mean everyone is taking the time to reflect on past failures and a larger number have focused on great achievements. This is especially true in blogging, and travel blogging in particular.

I know that it is easier to big yourself up as opposed to dwelling on incidents that make you feel bad. But don’t miss the forest for the trees and lose sight that there is growth in the “tragedy” of failure. If you think about it, failure is just another opportunity to succeed next time on learned knowledge. All of these ideas are instrumental in planning travel as well.

When it comes to figuring out our next step in planning travel, we can often be spoiled for choice. Sure, we may not be able to achieve every single tiny thing we would like in life, but we do have the chance to make our lives simply phenomenal and exciting to a fault. However, to set yourself on the path you find the most appealing, you need to know what you’re looking for. You also need to commit to research and to take many options into account.
There are a few measures by which you can make this process easier, and a little less nerve-wracking. After all, if you’re going to set yourself in the right direction, it’s important to prepare, and not only that but to prepare well. In the following advice, we hope anyone can unlock the door to their own personal sense of autonomy because when it comes to your
own future, you can never ask for too much. Please, consider the following:

Research In-Person

Research in person to the extent that you can. For example, finding the best hotel close to the University of Oregon in order to attend an open house can give you more than reading any brochure designed as a sales package. There’s no reason why you can not enjoy this process as a side benefit, as hotels such as the Comfort Inn & Suites offer pool and hot tub facilities, comforting breakfast, and WiFi as well as the best celebration of a local-area via travel guides and tours. This can help you, as someone looking to make that big decision, do so with ease and comfort.

Speak To Those On The Path To Planning

Speaking to those either considering the same destination or already visiting it can be a massive benefit. Perhaps you’re not so sure what to expect on a day-by-day basis at a potential destination but speaking to another traveler there may shed some light on your worries and realize you have nothing to fear. In some cases, you may even find them warding you off a particular course of action due to something they should have known at the time, and while that can seem disappointing, it can, of course, remain useful. None of this will illuminate itself without the art of communication.

Use All The Available Tools

Don’t forget to use all of the apps and websites that will make your decision easier. We don’t need to beat our heads against a rock to make this all happen. I personally use TripAdvisor, Kayak, Skyscanner and Google flights most often. They’re fabulous resources. There are definitely more to keep an eye out for while considering where to go. For new alternatives ask a friend, new tools pop up all the time.

Ally With Experience

It can be that reaching out to those with experience, chat up a blogger friend, or simply picking the brains of someone you respect can help you adopt insights that you may not get anywhere else. Who knows if this may be the final context you need to motivate your action, or to move in a direction no one else is moving? What time of year, high season , low season, luxury or backpacking? Even asking someone a question on Twitter could help you gain the vibrant response you need, and that in itself can help you plan your next step. The more information you collect, the better. With this in mind, we hope you can figure out your next step in life. Remember, this is a vacation, not a competition.

How do you plan for a vacation? Who do you ask for input? Do you rely only on travel agencies for where to travel? Does social media influence you when planning? Tell all the details in the comments below.

Until our next rendezvous …

XOXO

Trudy