With the new year upon us, it is time to focus on what we’ve all been waiting for — putting together our travel plans. Traveling is just so exciting, offering us something to plan for, look forward to, and make every day at the job just a little easier. So where do you start? Our guest contributor brings us 3 simple tips on how to make your travel dreams come true.
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Travel is a way of getting out and exploring the world. And when you’re passionate about travel, it’s pretty much why you put your time at your daily grind. As bad as this world may be, travel opens the mind to meet amazing people, visit some truly amazing places and see the wonders of the world.
All you need is a bit of research to find the right place, find the money to travel and prepare your packing list with the right clothes. Then get ready, set, go — and with these 3 simple things to make your 2018 travels dreams come true.
Finding The Place to Travel
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Finding the place that you actually want to go from a long travel bucket list is easier said than done. With so many amazing places around the world, where do you even begin? The world is your oyster, but where do you really want to explore this year?
And then there’s knowing that you’ll be spending so much money that you want to make sure to spend well — as there is only so much budget.
This is where a bit of bargain hunting is going to come in handy. Take time to shop around, and know exactly what you want from a holiday. Do you want your next vacation where the only things to do are lying on a beach with a cocktail? Or do you want an action-packed travel adventure with things to do to fill each day? Maybe yours is a dream vacation with the family? Go ahead and write down your dream vacations.
Need inspiration? Consider these top destinations:
Traveling Mom Approved: Top International Destinations To Travel In 2018
11 Best Places To Travel In The Eastern United States In 2018
Finding The Money to Travel
Now, this bit is the hardest, and often the most annoying bit of a holiday. Vacations can be just so expensive, especially when extending your stay for a long length of time. Finding the money to travel in the first place can sometimes set you back, or even make you realize you can’t go. Many travel operators offer a pay monthly system, but all of them require full payment before you travel (usually from 45-90 days prior to departure).
But have you ever considered a short-term loan to cover the costs? Short term will usually give you more time than the travel operators would, and it means you can book your holiday sooner. You can even get personal loans with poor credit. Then all you need to think about is some monthly repayments, and getting the money together for some spending money.
Consider booking an all-inclusive vacation, which helps the budget considerably knowing that your flight, airport transfers, and everything at your hotel is included.
You could also download the Dosh App and book hotel rooms at a discount –and receive cash back (and save money! Because if you’re like me, cash back is cool but I don’t have time to chase deals!
And if you shop online, then you should also check out Ebates, an online tool that works with both your desktop and your phone to offer rebates on everything from shopping to travel.
Finding The Right Clothes for Travel
For us girls, this is often the most exciting part of going on holiday. Shopping for your upcoming beach trip, girlfriend getaway, romantic rendezvous, or family vacation just gets you so excited.
Start by planning ahead and finding the best bargains. Start with the perfect suitcase. (We love our Ricardo Elite Roxbury 2.0 Spinner!)
What to wear? If you’ve got absolutely no clothes, then holiday shopping is going to get pretty expensive, pretty quickly. (I know, it FEELS like we don’t have any of the right clothes, agree?) Instead, as you dive into your vacation planning, include a packing list for your specific destination.
And considering safety while traveling might bring you to shop for pickpocket proof travel gear. (I personally love the leggings with two secret pockets — because we all need to be comfy when traveling, right?)
But seriously, what should you pack? Here are our favorite packing lists for all types of vacations:
The Ultimate Packing List For Family Travelers
8 Essential Packing Tips For Long Term Travel
Savvy Packing Tips For Summer Travel
13 Absolutely Essential Ski Items To Pack
Beach Packing List: Never Forget The Essentials Again
The Ultimate Family Beach Vacation Packing List
Plan for Vacation Days Now
Bottom line? The most effective remedy for American workers who want to use more vacation days is better planning. Yet just over half (54%) of households set aside time to plan the use of their vacation time each year. Shut the front door — seriously?!? But let’s stop that waste of valuable vacation time and make a pact to Plan for Vacation Days in 2018 — and every year onward. Let’s pack our bags and get outta here and make it our New Year’s resolution to travel more.
Need more travel tips?
6 tips for Holiday Travel (and really any time of year)
Tips For Planning Multigenerational Family Travel
What are you going to do to Make Your 2018 Travel Dreams Come True? Share with us in the comments below.
