After over a year of putting travel plans on ice, there has been a surge in the demand for once-in-a-lifetime trips and bucket list vacations. If you’re hoping to organize a dream trip and you’re looking for inspiration and ideas, this guide is packed with tips to help you create a one-of-a-kind itinerary.
Discovering destination options
The first place to start when planning your dream vacation is to explore destination options. You might already know exactly where you want to go but if you’re open to ideas, it’s worth spending a little time researching. There are all kinds of options available to travelers today, including trips that involve a single destination, road trips, multi-stop tours and cruises, and round-the-world air tickets that take you to a host of locations. Visiting multiple destinations enables you to see more of the world and it also provides opportunities to combine different types of vacations. You may want to mix sightseeing and cultural experiences with soaking up the sunshine on a remote beach, for example.
If you are still considering different locations and you haven’t made a decision yet, look for inspiration. Read travel magazines and blogs, search for ideas on social media, look at different packages, tours, and flight options on travel agency and tour operator websites, and ask for recommendations from friends, colleagues, neighbors, and relatives. Once you have a shortlist, you can either combine locations to create your itinerary or narrow down the options based on factors like your budget, what you want to see and do, and how far you want to travel for how long.
Traveling in style
If you have decided to go all-out and treat yourself to a luxury vacation with all the bells and whistles, you can start your trip in style with a private transfer to the airport and fast check-in before climbing aboard a private jet charter. When you get to the other side, book a chauffeured car, a seaplane, or a speedboat transfer to reach your accommodation. During your trip, you can continue to travel in comfort and avoid crowded trains, buses, or boats by booking private and small group tours or hiring a driver to show you around.
Exploring accommodation options
If you took a second to search for incredible, awe-inspiring accommodation options, you would find endless results ranging from luxurious villas overlooking azure waters to mountain cabins with hot tubs and views of the Northern Lights. When it comes to choosing accommodation for your trip, think about how much you want to spend, where you want to be and what kinds of facilities and amenities you’d like to enjoy. There are options available for almost any kind of trip in even the most far-flung locations. From rural idylls ideally suited to adventure-filled itineraries and opulent hotels in the world’s most enigmatic cities to beachfront resorts and treehouses tucked away in the jungle, it’s a great idea to take your time to explore and research.
Excursions, tours, and activities
Many people have a travel bucket list, which features once-in-a-lifetime excursions and adventures. If you have a list of activities or experiences you want to cross off your list, it’s wise to factor this in when choosing locations and planning your itinerary. From swimming with sharks, spotting gorillas in their natural habitat, and hot air ballooning over canyons and grassy plains to seeing the Northern Lights, climbing mountains, and visiting famous landmarks, take inspiration from your wishlist. Once you know what you want to do, you can research tour operators and guides and read reviews from fellow tourists and travelers to find the best trips. It may also be possible to make your own plans if you want to travel at your own pace.
Tailoring your trip
We are all unique. When designing an itinerary, it’s hugely beneficial to focus on your interests, passions, and travel goals. You can take inspiration from other peoples’ trips and plans but personalizing your tour will make it extra special. From the accommodation you choose and the activities you include to the locations you visit, you can design an itinerary that is perfect for you. Some people may dream of staying in the world’s most luxurious, decadent hotels while others may long to escape to an intimate, eco-friendly resort that is surrounded by golden sands, ocean waves, and rugged cliffs. Tailor your plans to suit your preferences and don’t feel pressured into touring must-see sights or booking every activity in the travel guide if they don’t take your fancy. There are so many different types of activities, tours, and excursions on offer, and some will appeal to you more than others. You can also add personal touches to your itinerary to make your break extra special. If you’re celebrating an anniversary or a birthday, for example, why not organize dinner under the stars or a sunset cruise for you and your partner?
Leaving time for spontaneous excursions
It’s always useful to have a rough plan when traveling the world or embarking upon an adventure overseas but it’s also advantageous to leave room for spontaneous trips and excursions. You might receive recommendations from people you meet along the way, you may notice spots that look incredible while you’re out exploring or you may stumble across hidden gems that don’t feature in the guidebooks. Sometimes, it’s refreshing to get off the beaten track, to get lost in the labyrinth of city streets, or to live like the locals. Give yourself time to wander and space to modify and adapt your plans.
Many of us are dreaming of getting away. After a year of restrictions and lockdowns, we are eager to jet off to exotic destinations and live out our travel fantasies. If you’re currently planning the trip of a lifetime and you want to make sure that it’s memorable and magical, there are myriad ways you can design a one-of-a-kind itinerary. From traveling in style and adding personal touches to including bucket list destinations and excursions and exploring unique accommodation options, there is scope to plan an unforgettable vacation.
*Post contributed by Zach Larson, a peer travel writer, and an outdoor enthusiast.*
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