Eliminate the Dreaded Stress Out of Vacation Planning!

Heyyy, Lunatics!

Have you ever been in the middle of your day doing whatever, and suddenly, boom! The thought comes sweeping in, unannounced – “Let’s go on vacation!” The stress swoops in once we start daydreaming right at our cubicle or at the supermarket, doesn’t matter. So we go online to our favorite travel planning site and stare at the screen before just start plugging cities to visit. Where are we going?

Miami. San Juan. Los Angeles. Dublin. Wait, what? Dublin? Oooh… yes, Ireland! We have made a choice, brain. We have…! Have we? Yes. All doubts are casted aside and the planning begins.

Then the questions flood in all at the same time. “Do I need a passport?” and “What’s there to do there?” Oh now, the stress really rolls in! So many details…

If like me before, you’ve only traveled in the US so far, thinking about crossing the Atlantic or the Pacific can be a little daunting. So here are some tips to help you out both if you’re planning on your own or if you use a tour company. It can be done!

Here is how to lower the stress by planning your trip on your own.

1. Time to visit. Find out when is the best time to visit since airfare and hotel rates are usually lower off peak seasons.
2. Local Transportation. How do you need to get around? Are you stressed about getting lost using public transportation? Is there a subway/metro system? Is there Uber/Lyft service available or will you need to call the local cab company? Will you need a rental car? What about parking? Is parking paid, and if so, do they need quarters to feed the meter or is there an App you can download and charge with your debit/credit card?
3. Passports and Visas. If you are traveling outside the US and don’t have a passport, getting onenow takes about 8 weeks and it’s about $150 including the fee for the 2×2 photos. You can expedite it too for an additional fee. Also, find out if you need any special visas or if you only need a passport. The fee for a visa will add to your budget if you don’t have one. Not having this on time, will increase your stress, period!
4. Food. And this one is huge for me. What kind of foods do you prefer or what are you used to eating? Is that available where you’re going? If not, find out what the local foods are so you’re not surprised that in some countries, they mostly eat fish – or something called haggis. (Insert green emoji here!!)
5. Lodging. Based on #4 (for me), you can determine if you want to stay at a hotel or rent an AirBnB. If you choose a hotel, check for amenities! Is parking, breakfast, and wifi included in the rate? Consider if you will prefer to cook your own meals. If that’s the option you’re going for, then an AirBnB or VRBO may be a better choice.
6. Attractions. What is close by to you that you can travel in the metro/subway? What attractions are within walking distance? Where will you need to drive to so you can take the scenery – beach, lake, castles, stadiums, etc.?

Now, let’s leave the work to the tour company – yes?

1. Time to visit. Same as above, and… Check your calendar. Traveling to Europe or outside the US adds extra time for the airplane ride, especially if you have connections. I traveled directly to Ireland from Bradley Airport in Connecticut roundtrip. When I traveled to Scotland, I went from JFK in New York to London to Edinburgh. I returned from Edinburgh to Philadelphia to Bradley – American Airlines changed my return flight. I was okay not having to fly into JFK.
2. Search online for tour companies. I have used Tour Radar online and I can sort the tours by location, time of year, length (days), group size (I prefer smaller group, less than 20 people to gel with the other passengers; a larger bus is too much for me!), age range (about 40-60 years old), tour type (cultural, adventure, nature, etc) AND finally, budget. I have several tours on my “Wish List” that I need to revisit.
3. Hold your tour. You can make a deposit for most tour companies and pay as you go until it’s time to go. Some companies will ask you to pay as early as 90 days prior to departing, so make sure you read the fine print!
4. Book your airfare. I recommend you don’t travel the same day your tour starts. You can leave on the day your tour ends. Tour companies usually ask for your flight information ahead to accommodate the itinerary.
5. Go and have fun! A tour rep will greet you at your destination and make sure you go where you’re going. They will handle all the tour stops, admissions, buying extra fun things like a trip to a local distillery (If you drink, it’s fun!)

Either way, take lots of photos, my dear! You are going to wish to go back over and over – photos will remind you of what a great time you had!