After spending hours and hours of travel planning for my husband and I, I realized there were ways to make the process easier. There is so much to choose from when it comes to trains, planes and automobiles- let alone which country you are going to visit. Travel planning should not be a stressful headache rather a fun and enjoyable process to be shared with someone else or yourself. I was that crazy person with the binder with all of the tabs before every trip and stressed about each leg of our journey. Now I sit back, relax, and enjoy the process and because I do, I find I enjoy my travels much more. I found that there are a few key tips and tricks to making the travel planning easier.
1. Know your sources
In this day and age, the internet is overwhelmed with information. From a 100+ choices for a hotel in Paris, to different ways of getting from an airport to your hotel, how does one know what’s the best solution for you? I find that using a few trusted sources like Travel & Leisure, Fodors, and people’s experiences are the best. I love to find a blog where I can hear someone’s experience firsthand.
2. Be realistic
When it comes to planning a trip, be realistic about every aspect. We all have high hopes of being carried down the street in a chariot and being whisked away to the highest castle in town, but then there is reality. Be realistic about the amount of time for your trip and your budget.
3. Be organized
This means not waiting to the last minute to sort out your plans. If you plan ahead, organized with your information, the trip is bound to go more smoothly.
4. Decision process
You can spend all year trying to decide on one hotel in one city in your three week trip through Europe. Figure out what is most important to you, what pros and cons matter the most and from there make a decision. Not quickly but timely.
5. Traveling or vacationing?
There is a difference. Vacationing would be more of a spend by the pool or beach with spa treatments sort of experience. Traveling is a more active trip that bounces through a few cities and has full day itineraries. Find out what is best for you and your travel partner.
6. Research
It is important to take a look at where you are going and being educated. Perhaps you didn’t know in Italy, most cabs only take cash? These are important things to be aware of before your trip.
7. Enjoy the process
Grab a coffee, get inspired, and have fun.
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Bon travels!! Xx
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
