Trip Planning
I've found that I'm pretty good at planning - my organizing skills are simply out of this world. Post this self-boasting, I actually want to share some the itineraries of our trips (alphabetical order). Use this as inspiration or guideline, and have fun out there.
How to plan a trip (in 5 steps):
Step 1: Think.
No jokes. You probably already know where you want to go, but before you think too much about how amazing it will be, think about money.
(1) Money is a horror for most people to think about, but it is essential. The general guide is to think of what you're willing to spend, and then actually have double that available. Things happen that we didn't foresee. If you're lucky, you won't spend any more than you wanted to.
(2) Decide when - and this may not be as easy as it sounds.
Consider the season, as this affects activities and overall prices (peak season is the most expensive!).
Work - do you have vacation days, how long can you take off, what would be left behind? Even though you don't have to dwell on the latter right now, it is important to think about who else might also be taking time off, or in other words, who will be around to deal with the problems when you're not there? The point of taking a holiday is not to think about work at all, so make sure you're certain about the uncertainties.
Almost most importantly, think about your personal life - is it optimal to leave right now? Change the dates if your relationship is unstable (with or without him/her - don't spoil a trip you've been looking forward to and saved up for), an important event is coming up (you want to miss that wedding?), and whatever other reason you have that you know you really shouldn't be overlooking.
(3) Other, country-specific stuff.
This might not apply to you, but have a look at it if you're going outside your home country. Do you need a visa? How long is your passport still valid for? (And a random, recent one I encountered: Will your driver's license expire while you're away?)
(4) Lastly, while on step 1, some heartbreak. So you thought you'd go to that amazing place. Perhaps, you still can, but now you have to start and set your mad googling skills into action. Get a notepad, a pencil, and jot down those numbers. How much is the airline tickets generally? You have your dates, play around with some days slightly before and after the set dates, but not too much. Airlines increase their prices when the demand is high - so don't go showing your increasingly high demand multiple times per day over several days. How much are the activities that you want to do? Entrance fee, hire of items (e.g. skates, snorkeling gear), etc. all add up. How much for hotels? Are you okay with downgrading on where you stay?
In the end, combine these fees and see how much your trip will roughly cost you. This price must be close to, or less than, what you initially wanted to spend (not the doubled up amount! If you don't have money for the basics, you don't have money for unexpected tragedies.)
Step 2: Itinerary creation
Good news: the hard work is done! Or at least, to me it is. I love creating itineraries so to me this is a fun step. Take your time and do this properly. List it out. What is happening on Day 1? What will you do on Day 2, and how much time will it take? At this point in time my Day 1 and 2 would look like this:
Day 1 - Afternoon: Depart.
Day 2 - Morning: Arrive at amazing place. Afternoon: Check in at hotel. Evening: Dinner at place you really want to go to.
Do not fear about the details yet. Many of this will happen automatically (such as: finish packing and call the taxi). Other details you'll add later after booking (such as: flight #ba000 at 16:35).
If you want some examples of itineraries, I've posted (and will post more) past itineraries I've created and used. Some are more detailed than others, and that's exactly how it should be.
Step 3: Inform those friends and colleagues
Officially, you've not booked anything yet. Now is the time to apply for leave from work, and inform colleagues, friends and family that you're going on holiday. Be excited, let it shine from your eyes. You can still easily cancel or postpone the 'idea' if your leave is denied, or an unplanned personal event arises.
Step 4: Just do it!
If you've successfully made it this far, it's time to start spending. Buy the plane tickets, book the hotel. If you have to book activities in advance, do so now.
Also inform your landlord (or other people not mentioned) of when you'll be away, if applicable. Perhaps consider getting someone to watch your house, if you need to. This is just another step to ensure that everything is as safe and in place as where and when you left it, when you come back. As much as we love our holidays, you don't need any additional stress that'll remove all the possible calm you've received over the holiday, as soon as you get back.
Step 5: The final little things.
Pack the bags, print the plane tickets and reservation codes, add your itinerary to your travel journal and stock up on the little necessities. Don't forget the medication. And leave your child with his grandmother. (You did tell her, didn't you?)
If you'd like me to ever plan a trip for you, let me know by commenting below! For a small fee, of course (time is money, after all).
(Yet to come) Hanoi-Hai Phong-Cat Ba
(Yet to come) Hanoi-Phu Quoc
How to plan a trip (in 5 steps):
Step 1: Think.
No jokes. You probably already know where you want to go, but before you think too much about how amazing it will be, think about money.
(1) Money is a horror for most people to think about, but it is essential. The general guide is to think of what you're willing to spend, and then actually have double that available. Things happen that we didn't foresee. If you're lucky, you won't spend any more than you wanted to.
(2) Decide when - and this may not be as easy as it sounds.
Consider the season, as this affects activities and overall prices (peak season is the most expensive!).
Work - do you have vacation days, how long can you take off, what would be left behind? Even though you don't have to dwell on the latter right now, it is important to think about who else might also be taking time off, or in other words, who will be around to deal with the problems when you're not there? The point of taking a holiday is not to think about work at all, so make sure you're certain about the uncertainties.
Almost most importantly, think about your personal life - is it optimal to leave right now? Change the dates if your relationship is unstable (with or without him/her - don't spoil a trip you've been looking forward to and saved up for), an important event is coming up (you want to miss that wedding?), and whatever other reason you have that you know you really shouldn't be overlooking.
(3) Other, country-specific stuff.
This might not apply to you, but have a look at it if you're going outside your home country. Do you need a visa? How long is your passport still valid for? (And a random, recent one I encountered: Will your driver's license expire while you're away?)
(4) Lastly, while on step 1, some heartbreak. So you thought you'd go to that amazing place. Perhaps, you still can, but now you have to start and set your mad googling skills into action. Get a notepad, a pencil, and jot down those numbers. How much is the airline tickets generally? You have your dates, play around with some days slightly before and after the set dates, but not too much. Airlines increase their prices when the demand is high - so don't go showing your increasingly high demand multiple times per day over several days. How much are the activities that you want to do? Entrance fee, hire of items (e.g. skates, snorkeling gear), etc. all add up. How much for hotels? Are you okay with downgrading on where you stay?
In the end, combine these fees and see how much your trip will roughly cost you. This price must be close to, or less than, what you initially wanted to spend (not the doubled up amount! If you don't have money for the basics, you don't have money for unexpected tragedies.)
Step 2: Itinerary creation
Good news: the hard work is done! Or at least, to me it is. I love creating itineraries so to me this is a fun step. Take your time and do this properly. List it out. What is happening on Day 1? What will you do on Day 2, and how much time will it take? At this point in time my Day 1 and 2 would look like this:
Day 1 - Afternoon: Depart.
Day 2 - Morning: Arrive at amazing place. Afternoon: Check in at hotel. Evening: Dinner at place you really want to go to.
Do not fear about the details yet. Many of this will happen automatically (such as: finish packing and call the taxi). Other details you'll add later after booking (such as: flight #ba000 at 16:35).
If you want some examples of itineraries, I've posted (and will post more) past itineraries I've created and used. Some are more detailed than others, and that's exactly how it should be.
Step 3: Inform those friends and colleagues
Officially, you've not booked anything yet. Now is the time to apply for leave from work, and inform colleagues, friends and family that you're going on holiday. Be excited, let it shine from your eyes. You can still easily cancel or postpone the 'idea' if your leave is denied, or an unplanned personal event arises.
Step 4: Just do it!
If you've successfully made it this far, it's time to start spending. Buy the plane tickets, book the hotel. If you have to book activities in advance, do so now.
Also inform your landlord (or other people not mentioned) of when you'll be away, if applicable. Perhaps consider getting someone to watch your house, if you need to. This is just another step to ensure that everything is as safe and in place as where and when you left it, when you come back. As much as we love our holidays, you don't need any additional stress that'll remove all the possible calm you've received over the holiday, as soon as you get back.
Step 5: The final little things.
Pack the bags, print the plane tickets and reservation codes, add your itinerary to your travel journal and stock up on the little necessities. Don't forget the medication. And leave your child with his grandmother. (You did tell her, didn't you?)
If you'd like me to ever plan a trip for you, let me know by commenting below! For a small fee, of course (time is money, after all).
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