Travel can be a therapeutic and memorable experience when you're, well, actually traveling but by and large one of the most difficult parts of the dynamic experience is choosing where to go. There are several factors that go into choosing where to spend your time (and your well-earned money) that can sometimes make you wonder whether or not you think it's worth it to spend your money on a non-tangible experience. I personally believe that travel is a better way to spend cash because positive memories outlast any material luxury, especially if you pick the right place to go. There are six factors to consider when picking a spot to vacation, and to spice it up let's call them the The Six Super Stipulations of Spot Seeking.
The Six Super Stipulations of Spot Seeking
1.) Think about where you want to go. Though this seems pretty self-explanatory considering the name of this list, it is extremely important to think about, and a very overlooked step. Think about the types of places you have been. Do you want to re-experience a previous trip? Or do you want to be bold and experience something that you have never tried? Do you want to plan you trip around the mainstream attractions of a place or would you rather take the cultural backstreets? Are you looking for a relaxing getaway or an exciting thrill? Whatever your preferences and objectives of your trip, you need to make sure you're picking a place that meets the criteria you're looking for. You are after all spending precious time, money, and energy towards your trip, so you should be sure that you get what you were looking for.
2.) Consider your situation. If you're a parent of 3 kids, you should probably reassess if a high thrill expedition through the Amazon jungle is the smartest choice for a vacay. This step is crucial because even if you were to pick the perfect vacation spot, the trip can easily turn sour if it doesn't suit everyone and their needs. Think about everyone's physical abilities and their situations. If traveling with a family, choose a family friendly destination that can appeal to all (cruises are a great choice for families) and if traveling solo, pick a place you see yourself being able to enjoy. Also to keep your budget in mind as this will affect the number/types of places you can travel to. Consider all disabilities and food restrictions when picking where to stay to make sure that the trip is enjoyable for all which brings us to our next super stipulation.
3.) Include everyone. If you're taking a "you" trip or a couple's getaway, this shouldn't be too hard but I have had my fair share of family chaos episodes labeled as "vacations" and how frustrating it can be when not everyone is on board especially in the picking process. An easy way to do this is to ask each family member to narrow down their choices down to three trip ideas, meld them all and narrow down the ideas to three options and have a family vote. If some members aren't happy with the decision, consider letting them choose where to go next time. This makes it easier for everyone to feel engaged and important to the decision-making process, rather than feeling like a worthless follower. Remember that vacations are meant to be a fun time for everyone involved so pick a method that maximizes this feeling in everybody.
4.) Do your research. It's always a smart idea to prepare yourself before any event, and one where you are putting money and time towards to should take priority. From the place that you're sending the night to the place where to plan to spend most of your trip, use your resources. Seriously, internet reviews are there for a reason other than to entertain us with weird usernames. Take people's experiences seriously because most likely, they did not go through all the effort to post a bad review if they truly did not enjoy an experience and the same goes for a good review. Even if you haven't picked your spot yet, the internet can be a good place to start. If you're under monetary constrictions, there are plenty of ideas out there on how to spend a mind blowing break without blowing your bank account. Nothing should stop you from having a good time, especially money constrictions. The internet can also be a great tool to explore places that cater to your unique needs such as dog-friendly places to stay and the like. Look for places that appeal to the aesthetic of where you wanted to go according to step 1. Be sure to look into every aspect of your trip because although some surprises are nice, bedbug startles are not.
5.) Ask friends. Chances are, most of your coworkers or friends (it's okay if it's singular, no judgement here) have gone on a trip that stuck out in their mind or that they really enjoyed. You don't have to book a place to the exact hotel they went to, but getting an idea from real people about places they enjoyed may give you ideas about places you hadn't even considered beforehand. Ask around about places people have gone and if any of them are a good option for your _______. Be sure to pay attention to places they speak negatively of as those nuggets of information can be just as important the places they mention that they liked. You might even realize why they spoke so highly of a place and make some of you own memories there.
6.) Take it easy and have fun! Keep in mind that the whole reason that you're taking a trip is to let go and enjoy yourself. You shouldn't treat it as a chore that needs to get done, but rather enjoy each step of the process. But most importantly don't sweat the small stuff, because mishaps only make for a great story later on!
2.) Consider your situation. If you're a parent of 3 kids, you should probably reassess if a high thrill expedition through the Amazon jungle is the smartest choice for a vacay. This step is crucial because even if you were to pick the perfect vacation spot, the trip can easily turn sour if it doesn't suit everyone and their needs. Think about everyone's physical abilities and their situations. If traveling with a family, choose a family friendly destination that can appeal to all (cruises are a great choice for families) and if traveling solo, pick a place you see yourself being able to enjoy. Also to keep your budget in mind as this will affect the number/types of places you can travel to. Consider all disabilities and food restrictions when picking where to stay to make sure that the trip is enjoyable for all which brings us to our next super stipulation.
3.) Include everyone. If you're taking a "you" trip or a couple's getaway, this shouldn't be too hard but I have had my fair share of family chaos episodes labeled as "vacations" and how frustrating it can be when not everyone is on board especially in the picking process. An easy way to do this is to ask each family member to narrow down their choices down to three trip ideas, meld them all and narrow down the ideas to three options and have a family vote. If some members aren't happy with the decision, consider letting them choose where to go next time. This makes it easier for everyone to feel engaged and important to the decision-making process, rather than feeling like a worthless follower. Remember that vacations are meant to be a fun time for everyone involved so pick a method that maximizes this feeling in everybody.
4.) Do your research. It's always a smart idea to prepare yourself before any event, and one where you are putting money and time towards to should take priority. From the place that you're sending the night to the place where to plan to spend most of your trip, use your resources. Seriously, internet reviews are there for a reason other than to entertain us with weird usernames. Take people's experiences seriously because most likely, they did not go through all the effort to post a bad review if they truly did not enjoy an experience and the same goes for a good review. Even if you haven't picked your spot yet, the internet can be a good place to start. If you're under monetary constrictions, there are plenty of ideas out there on how to spend a mind blowing break without blowing your bank account. Nothing should stop you from having a good time, especially money constrictions. The internet can also be a great tool to explore places that cater to your unique needs such as dog-friendly places to stay and the like. Look for places that appeal to the aesthetic of where you wanted to go according to step 1. Be sure to look into every aspect of your trip because although some surprises are nice, bedbug startles are not.
5.) Ask friends. Chances are, most of your coworkers or friends (it's okay if it's singular, no judgement here) have gone on a trip that stuck out in their mind or that they really enjoyed. You don't have to book a place to the exact hotel they went to, but getting an idea from real people about places they enjoyed may give you ideas about places you hadn't even considered beforehand. Ask around about places people have gone and if any of them are a good option for your _______. Be sure to pay attention to places they speak negatively of as those nuggets of information can be just as important the places they mention that they liked. You might even realize why they spoke so highly of a place and make some of you own memories there.
6.) Take it easy and have fun! Keep in mind that the whole reason that you're taking a trip is to let go and enjoy yourself. You shouldn't treat it as a chore that needs to get done, but rather enjoy each step of the process. But most importantly don't sweat the small stuff, because mishaps only make for a great story later on!
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