135 Travel tips: A step-by-Step Guide for planning the ultimate vacation.

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Master vacation planning.135 Travel Tips: A step-by-step guide. An extensive list to ensuring your perfect getaway is organized and stress-free.

Nothing beats having the perfect vacation planned. Unfortunately, many people find vacation planning complicated and are never really sure where to begin. Afraid they will forget to do something vital. So, how do you plan the ultimate vacation? One little mistake can sometimes ruin a complete vacation. So here is a 135 Step-by-Ste guide for planning out your next trip. A guide laced with valuable Tips. Tips that can only come from someone who’s obsessed with traveling.

Step 1: The Initial Steps

Initial foundational plans will determine if you trip is possible.

1 . Committing to Travel Plans
  –   Requesting the Time Off. Agreeing with Friends and family
2 . Tip – Create a savings plan, or a money pot for a deposit, to reserve a spot on the trip. This is usually a great way to ensure the commitment of yourself and others.

3 . Determine your Travel Budget
– Nothing worse than paying for a trip you took months or years ago. Determine a reasonable budget that wont put you in debt.
4 . Tip – Start with your flight. Work through other expenses to get an idea of what your budget should be. Is $5000 enough for your vacation? Maybe, depends on where you want to go.
5 . Tip – Flight prices are usually consistent or inflexible. Whereas hotel prices and activates are often flexible and easier to manipulate.
6 . Tip – Paying for as much as you can ahead of time, is a great way to ensure, staying within your budget.

7 . Determine when exactly you want to Travel.
– Timing is extremely important as it can also affect your itinerary, the pricing and the availability of things.

8 . Determine How long you want to Travel for
9 . Tip – If the Flight is over 8 hours- consider the travel days as a throw away day, you’ll need to add an additional day back (or subtract – but why subtract…. Add!!!).

10 . Locate Travel Documents Passport/Visa
11 . Tip – Keep everything in one known place. Do not move it!!. Trust me. I had a friend who missed her business class flight because she misplaced her passport in her house! She ended up flying coach the following day… :-/

Step 2: The Brainstorming

Sky’s the limit here. This step requires that you – Dream Big!

12 . Decide on North or South of the Equator
– Are you craving winter wonderland or Summertime Vibes. This is an easy way to figure out which areas to go.

13 . Tip – They are opposites in seasons. Northern Hemisphere: Summer is June- August. Winter is December – February. Southern Hemisphere: Summer is December – February, and Winter is June – August.
14 . Tip – determine if there any normal natural disasters & what time of year they often occur ..to avoid. Who want’s to go the islands right before a category 5 hurricane hits??

15 . Tip – In Australia they have “Flying Parachuting Spiders.” They make little web parachutes to get around. These parachutes result in a sheet of web that casts over everything, including trees & houses. It’s something that nightmares are made of. This happens yearly around a certain time.
16 . Tip – Timing is Everything. It will greatly influence your trip. Winter in Japan is a completely different vibe from Summer in Japan.

17 . Festivals in different countries
– Festivals are the best parts of traveling. Look up festivals & Activities around that time so you don’t miss anything worth seeing…Blog Coming soon!

18 . Google Flight Assistance
–   Google is helpful at determining what country you may want to visit. You will also get a general idea of the price range & total flight time of where you want to go.
19 . Tip. Open Google Flights, type in travel dates. Leave location open. To get some location ideas

20 . Watch Travel Videos
21 . Tip – Tik Tok & YouTube are great for looking up “Must Sees” so you don’t miss out on anything that could be life changing.
22 . Tip – Research culture – Respectful clothing attire, their Tipping Culture, & Communication norms

23 . Check Visa Requirements
– Nothing worse than going to an airport realizing you need a visa because you can’t fly without it.
24 . Tip – Most travel agencies will tell you your visa requirements. Also, the country’s official website, which include the Consulate or Embassy should provide this information. (Look up location of Embassy location)
25 . Tip – Check out Visa HQ for current visa or entry requirements.

Step 3 : Create the Plan

The next step is creating the plan. Make set decisions. Get a clear idea if it will work out fundamentally.

26 . Map out which cities you want to see.
– Determine what experiences you want to have while there.
27 . Tip Determine the Monuments, Attractions, Museums, & Unique Treasures. Determine the places you want to eat, what experience you really want to have. What kind pictures you really want to take.
28 . Tip – Print out copies of these ideas & put everything in a Binder or all in one place.

29 . Determine how will you transfer between cities/countries.
30 . Tip– Map out the transfer in between the two cities. Also map out the transfer to attractions. Check out the transfer time & cost. Determine if it’s feasible. Having a reliable way of relocating there.

104 . Check Airport Maps -for Connecting Flights
– This is especially useful if you have a short layover (<1hr). By the time you get off the plane you won’t want to be delayed by trying to figure out which direction you’re needing to go. Have it on a map. Once you are off the plane. Follow the map to the next gate and move quickly.
105 . Tip – Lemon Balm is a great natural herbal supplement, to take the edge off.
106 . Tip – Ice in hand/ Bite into a Lemon – If having a Panic Attack on plane.

Step 4 : Make a Decision & Lay the Foundation

Time to put your money where your mouth is. The Moment of Truth. It’s Now or never. Laugh now cry later. Legs Go!.

32 . Book that Flight
33 . Tip – Set Up flight Alerts (Leap Frog/ Sky Scanner /Momondo/Google Flights)
34 . Tip – If a layover is necessary, I recommend picking one that has more than 1 hour layover. I can’t tell you the number of times I had to run through an airport (Home Alone style). All because my first flight was late. Sometimes, these small delays have resulted in me having to take a different flight altogether, which was a stressful situation.

35 . Select your preferred Seat
36 . Tip – Seat Guru is a great site that helps to show which seats to avoid & which seat are preferred. (Green- Yes, Red No- don’t do it)
37 . Tip – If needing extra leg room on a long flights but on a budged. Pay a little extra for the first coach seat. Buy a blow up leg rest. Use that as a foot extender.

38 . Book The Hotel
– Be sure to look at hotel locations. Although a hotel may look lovely, a bad location can be a huge setback. A distant & isolated location can be inconveniencing and potentially very costly when transferring anywhere else.
39 . Tip -A location that is walking, or a close distance from City Center is often ideal.

40 . Print out important travel documents
– These include itinerary/hotel information, shuttle reservations etc. – in case there isn’t any internet/WIFI services

41 . Make Copies of Passport & Visa in case you lose it while traveling.
42 . Tip– I recommend also giving a copy to trusted family member as well.

43 . Use a Travel Agency
44 . Tip – I recommend online agencies: Trimaster’s, Gate 1 Travel, or Groupon. Online Agencies are very cost effective and helpful when putting a complicated trip together.

Step 5 : Add the Fluff

Once you done dealing with the foundational stuff. Time to plan out the cool stuff, the Instagram/TikTok worthy memories.

Check out my Next Blog: Improve your mood with Self-care & Self-Love

45 . Make Reservations – restaurants

46 . Tip. Try reserving at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Popular places get booked up way in advance.
47 . Tip – Sometimes you can reserve directly from Google. Open Table is a cool app that allows you to make reservations.
48 . Tip – Some museums are reservations only. So if that’s the case book ahead of time.
49 . Tip – Sometimes booking a tour will give you VIP access to different museums, monuments, and attractions.

50 . Book tours
Tours will definitely improve your experience. To explore what you should see while there
51 . Tip – Get Your Guide & Viator are really cool tour apps. They may also help highlight which attractions & activities are checking out.
52 . Tip – I recommend getting a tour guy on the very first day, that way you can get an idea what’s important to see, and maybe have time to go back on your own for a more intimate experience.

Step 6 : Time To Prepare Yourself

Are you getting pumped yet? Getting all the things you need for the trip is the next step.

53 . Do a Closet Scan
– Figure out what you already have, & what you don’t have. To determine what you need to buy.

54 . Shop For clothes & Shoes you need
55 . Tip – Bring Very comfortable shoes. Even if it doesn’t go with your outfits. Alot of places require a lot of walking (Even with taxi service).

56 . Buy a Toiletry Bag

Recommendation Link – Toiletry Bag Recommendation

57 . Make a Toiletry list. _
58 . Tip – Shop in Doubles that way when the trip is done. You don’t have to remove anything from your toiletry bag. Then the next time you travel, all you need is already in the bag.

59 . Pick out a good suitcase/Carry on

60 . Weigh Your Suitcase
61 . Tip – Most Airlines have weight limit of 50LBS (23kg), per checked bag. Weigh yourself without the suitcase, then again while holding it, and after subtract your weight.
62 . Tip – Suitcase needs to roll easy and fit travel requirements.
63 . Invest in a Travel Organizer / Compressible Packing Cubes
– Keep yourself nicely organized – Here are travel organizers you might be interested in:

Recommendation Link: Option 1- Clothing Organizer & Option 2 – Clothing Organizer

Recommendation Link: Electronics Organizer + Complete Suitcase Organizer

64 . Buy Spacesavers if space is limited
– Some Spacesavers Bags don’t require a vaccume or a hand pump or just apply pressure. Great for carry-on & a quick way in moving things around – if you bag is too heavy. Recommendation Link: Spacesaver’s

65 . Buy Good Head phones
66 . Tip – 3 words – “Noise Canceling Headphones”. You will thank me later.

Recommendation Link: Noise Canceling Headphones

67 . Be sure you have a good camera
68 . Tip – Consider taking a photography class. A skill you will have forever.

69 . Start Exercising
70 . Tip – Practice walking up steps & walking for an hour. You would be surprised how much walking is required in certain countries. I myself have often felt like a week human, slowly walking up countless steps. Steps there were required to see certain temples or fixtures in certain countries. All while watching little old grandmas skip past me. Its utterly shameful…

71 . Get a Reliable Bag.
– Depending on your fashion sense, I recommend getting a safe and secure way of carrying your important things
72 . Tip – Bag Pack, Fanny Pack, or Neck wallets are often very reliable.

Step 7 : “Just In case” Things

These are items you just might need. Hopefully not… but better safe than sorry.

71 . Visit your PCP or an Urgent Care
72 . Tip – If you have any chronic illnesses HTN, COPD, Migraines, you may need extra medications or alterations to the medications before the trip
73 . Tip – Ask for as-needed Antibiotics, Anxiety medications, & Sleeping Aids.

74 . Get Needed Vaccination
– Contracting Malaria is not on your agenda!!
75 . Tip – Some countries require certain vaccines. Check with the Country you’re visiting & get the required vaccinations.

76 . Travel Insurance
77 . Tip – If you purchase your trip with a credit care (AMEX/Chase) – they carry travel insurance, which is automatically applied without paying extra (check with them before refusing travel insurance).

78 . Make Copies of Travel Document & Give a copy to trusted Family/Friend.
– Nothing more traumatic than having all of your things lost/stolen. Even more traumatic if you’re stuck in that foreign country.

79 . Invest in a Luggage locator/ AirTag/W-Tag
– An airport lost my Luggage once. Worst feeling ever.

Recommended Links: AirTag + Holder – For iPhone Users / W-Tag – for Android Users

80 . Tip – Get an air-tag & put in your luggage. I’ve even seen people put air tags on themselves. They were planning for the absolute worst I guess…

Step 8 : Vacation Ready

Are you Ready? Time to Be Ready!

81 . Set an Alarm
82 . Tip – Wake up no less than 1.5hrs before you have to leave out of your house. Just in case.

83 . Determine Mode of Transportation
84 . Tip – Common transportation options include – Uber / Taxi / Loyal Friend / Obedient child
85 . Tip – Make transportation reservations (if using Uber) the night before
86 . Tip – If you’re going to uber or even take a train, its best to make sure your uber is downloaded and has your current active credit card. Nothing more stressful than downloading an app, imputing a new card, and having technical difficulties… aka Murphy’s Law. I recommend having all that stuff tweaked, and ready to go the night before. Not the morning of. Less stress the better.

87 . Download Airline App
88 . Tip – This is a gift that will keep giving. Not only will you be able to get frequent flyer points to use especially if you use one specific airline frequently, but you will also be able to check in through the app, and also be the first to know when there are any flight changes, delays, along with gate changes, right away. Most apps will also tell you where to expect your suitcase once landing.

89 . Check into your flight online if possible.
–   One less thing to worry about, and one less line you’ll have to join.
90 . Tip – Most Airlines will allow you to check in up to 24 hours ahead of time. Be that over achiever and do it!
91 . Tip – Download Flight Aware/ Flight stats application. If you don’t want to download individual airlines, this app will allow you to look up any airline information. To stay current on any flight changes.

Step 9 : Day of Flight

“Come Fly with me, Let’s Fly, Let’s Fly Away” – Sinatra

92 . Download Netflix/Audiobooks/Kindle Books/Music
93 . Tip – The last Kingdom, Outlander, Peaky Blinders, Bridgerton, Suits, Kissing Booth, & Queen of the South- Are shows that just keep giving. I recommend downloading a few episodes.
94 . Get to airport 2-3 hours ahead of time
95 . Tip – If your early, great, go hang out at a cool bar, have a drink and watch other stressed out flyers run by.

96 . Get Lounge Access

Lounge Access often includes all-inclusive meals and drinks. They also often have comfortable seating and will alert you when your flight is starting to board.

97 . Tip – Check out my recent blog on: Flying Business with Air Canada
98 . Tip – You will automatically have access, if your Fly business (international), First Class, or Elite Status
99 . Tip – You will also automatically have access if you have a credit card, such as AMEX (Platinum), Chase (Saphire), or Capital One (Venture)
100 . Tip – Priority Pass– Is a Program you can get for yourself or as a gift that gives you access to a lounge wherever you are.

101 . Connect to Airport Wifi
102 . Tip– I recommend doing this before you loose internet service.

103 . Connect to Airline On-flight Wifi
– This may not be for everyone as there is often a fee with this one, but for the ballers-shot-callers, this is for you.

107 . Bring your Yoga Mat
– For the fitness over achievers. Transport your yoga mat with a Bag Pack that has Straps under bottom – Tie under bottom.

Step 10 : Enter Your Dreamland

Are you ready to Party?!?! The Party begins in 5.4.3.2…

108 . Have Transportation from airport pre-arranged.
Have transportation ready at airport, pre-scheduled and paid for prior to flying. It will be one less thing you’ll have to worry once you land. It’s also pretty cool walking up to your driver, whose holding your name on a poster. A total VIP vibe.
109 . Tip – If using an online agency. You can opt-in on inclusive airport transportation.

110 . Download A Language Translation Application.
111 . Tip – Google Translate is a cool app that helps you speak in your language, and then it writes down the translation for the other person to read, or for you to try reading to them.

112 . Download Walking Maps App
– You will need this if you don’t want to get lost walking around
113 . Tip – Google Maps is the most reliable app.
114 . Tip – Some Countries like Korea does not allow google to have access to their country’s maps. (you can use it; however, you will likely get wrong information). So, you will have to use other Map Apps like Naver. But do your research.
115 . Tip – Download Offline Maps apps ahead of time. Maps.me is another cool map. Countries like Morocco Marrakesh have the strangest streets. Similar to ant-like-tunnels. You will need an offline map to walk around.

Step 11 : Extra Travel Gems

These are Priceless Gems.. Treat Them as Such!

116 . Determine your Wi-Fi status
– Its almost impossible to survive without Wi-Fi these days. Make sure you’ll know how to maintain it while traveling (especially when in another country).
117 . Tip – Buying a local Sims Card ahead of time may be necessary if Wi-Fi at all times is essential.
118 . Tip – Coffee shops will be your best ally. They almost always have Wi-Fi so if all else fails, go to a a coffee shop and ask for their code.

119 . Excess Cash is not always Needed when traveling.
120 . Tip – Although it is wise to carry some local currency cash (in case of an emergency). I would recommend not taking out a significant amount. In most countries you can use your debit/credit card almost anywhere.
121 . Tip – When using the credit card machine – Choose the Local Currency option, rather than US dollar option. Choosing the local currency rate instead of US dollar, will often have a cheaper conversion rate in the end.
122 . Tip – Keep extra Cash stashed in random places (Shoes, Bra, Phone-case).

123 . TSA/Global Entry/Clear
– Want to minimize airport stress and TSA headaches? Get access/approved for one of these. They last for 5 years!!!
124 . Tip – Global Entry is the most all inclusive. I highly recommend. It includes other countries (where TSH precheck with only USA).
125 . Tip – Clear is included with certain credit cards (e.g. AMEX) I would not recommend buying separately.
126 . Tip – It can take anywhere from 2 weeks to a full year to get approved and access to global entry. Do it as early as possible.

127 . Traveling with your pet
– Pets can normally accompany you on the flight. Be sure to check with the airline before traveling.
128 . Tip – Commonly – Your fur-baby must fit completely under the seat Infront of you.
129 . Tip – If you Fur baby is a service animal – then they won’t need to be in a carrier.
130 . Tip – Pet will need to be a minimum of 8 weeks old. Vaccine/Current health form/Microchipped prof (ISO compliant).
131 . Tip – Animal Approval documents. Certain countries, Airlines, Airports, & Animal control -may require approval of your pet’s entry.

Step 12 : Have Fun!!!

Enjoy Every Moment. This is what life is all about. Experiencing Experiences.

132 . Tip – Have a blissful fun time!!. Live everyday with gratitude, and savor everything.

133 . Tip – Don’t fight or argue with your travel companions. Before leaving, write a list of agreeable rules & expectations, that are important to you & everyone on the trip. Be sure to address boundaries. Go over them when everyone is in a good & happy place lol.

134 . Tip – Take as many pictures as you can. It may be annoying at first, but once the trip is over and done with, you will appreciate having your pictures to re-live those special memories time and time again.
135 . Tip – A selfie Stick is the best invention ever, get one!!!