If you’re the kind of person who enjoys seeing new things and savoring beauty, then perhaps your next sight-seeing adventure will happen soon. In that case, you need to start planning so that you can enjoy your trip without too many unexpected mishaps. Try some of the following ideas to get you started.
Set a Budget
Your first step in planning your next sight-seeing adventure is to set a budget. Be realistic here. You don’t want to stretch your finances too far and spend your whole vacation worrying about money. Sit down with your household budget, and determine what you can reasonably spend. Then stick to it as you continue your plans.
Choose a Destination
With your budget in mind, choose a destination. It should have all the incredible vistas you’re longing for. You might decide on one of the fantastic Alaska cruises from Seattle, a hike up in the mountains, a trip to the Grand Canyon or even a once-in-a-lifetime journey across Europe. If you’re traveling with others, get their input on your destination. It should be a place you’ll all enjoy.
Book Your Basics
When you’ve decided on your destination, book the basic elements of your trip. Look for deals on transportation, hotel rooms, cruise packages or camping areas. You may be able to get discounts when you bundle some elements together. Book early because prices tend to go up the closer you get to the date of your trip. Besides, if you have all the basics in place, you can concentrate on the fun stuff.
Do Your Research
Part of that fun stuff is doing research ahead of time. Start with an internet search to help you get an idea of what you’ll be seeing during your trip. You should learn some of the history of the place or places you’ll be visiting and make a list of sights to take in. The more you know, the more you’ll appreciate your destination when you arrive. Leave some room in your schedule, though, because you might discover all kinds of new adventures and incredible vistas along the way.
Immerse Yourself
During your trip, immerse yourself as much as possible in the experience. Take plenty of pictures, of course, but don’t spend so much time behind the camera that you actually miss what you’re supposed to be enjoying. If you find picture-taking too burdensome, purchase postcards or even a piece or two of quality artwork.
You might also decide to keep a travel journal. Each evening, write about what you saw during the day. You can jot down descriptions, but also write your personal impressions and reactions. If you aren’t comfortable writing, you can make voice recordings instead. Perhaps you have some artistic talent. Then try your hand at a few sketches or watercolors for your journal. What you’ve seen will come alive for you all over again as you capture it with your own talent.
Share Your Experiences
Finally, when you return home, share your experiences. If you’re traveling with others, ask them to keep travel journals, too. Then plan an evening at home to share notes. You can read to each other from your journals, look at photos and discuss your impressions of your trip. You’ll enjoy reliving your adventures and seeing them from new perspectives.
Also invite relatives and friends who were not so lucky to travel with you. You can hold a second session for them if you want your first memory night to be for fellow-travelers only. For this second group, you’ll have to do more explaining as you show pictures and read sections from your journal. Be prepared for lots of questions.
As the months and years go by, you can bring out your pictures and writings now and then to remember your amazing adventure. Maybe they’ll put you in the mood to start planning another one.
By now, you’re probably excited and ready to dig into your planning. So get started right away, and prepare to see some of the wonders the world has to offer.
