"Hello, I need a vacation. Where should I go?"
That's a tough question! And it's so personal that it's hard for anyone else to answer. But here are a few things to consider that when narrowing down ideas from (literally) a world of options:
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| Many of my friends love relaxing around a campfire. |
1. Somewhere new or somewhere familiar?
Is the beach your happy place? Do you have a special beach - or maybe even a beach house - that you return to every year? Do you visit the mountains every year and want to return again this year? Then somewhere familiar might be your preference.
Do you love adventure, seeing new places, trying new things? Then somewhere new might be the best answer!
Or it could be a mix of the two: You love the beach, but instead of your usual Florida, you're heading to Cancun! Or you like seeing new places, so you decide to travel with your usual group of friends to explore a new-to-you country.
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| At Versailles, before the masquerade ball. |
2. Is this trip for a certain event?
NOT THIS TIME - Skip to Question 3.
YES - This is the easiest scenario: Your primary destination must be where the event is. For instance, in 2019, some friends and I wanted to attend a Marie Antoinette-inspired masquerade ball at the palace of Versailles. So Versailles -- not Paris -- was our primary destination. If you are attending a wedding, say, in London, then London would be your primary destination.
3. Do I have a passport?
NOT CURRENTLY - Skip to Question 4.
YES - This opens up a lot of possibilities! So do I want to stay in the U.S.A. or travel abroad? Having a valid passport lets you make this decision on the fly.
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| Having a passport opens up your travel options. |
4. How much time do I have?
LESS THAN A WEEK - For me, traveling from the middle of the U.S. with less than a week, I'm staying closer to home: somewhere within driving distance in my region or within a three-hour flight from home.
ONE WEEK OR MORE - So many possibilities! Europe, South America, and parts of Asia are more readily accessible with a week or more ... islands off the coast of North America or Europe ... long road trips to other parts of the U.S.
TWO WEEKS TO ONE MONTH - In addition to having time to fully explore any most accessible part of the world, having two weeks up to a full month opens up destinations that may be far away and require more than 24 hours of travel just to arrive, like Australia or Antarctica or a safari!
MORE THAN ONE MONTH - The options are literally endless!
5. Road trip, flight, cruise, or train ... or some combination?
If you are opposed to any of these options, that's an easy way to narrow the options. Or if the desired service is not available where you are going -- say you want to take a train, but trains do not go to your preferred location -- that's an easy answer. But if you are going somewhere like Europe or Japan, it's easy to combine a flight with a train and a cruise, depending on how long you plan to be away.
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| What's your transportation style? |
6. What activities say "vacation" to me?
Museums, beaches, and water sports? Miami might be a great choice. Snowboarding and fondue? Think Switzerland! Disney parks and Studio Ghibli films? Try Tokyo! Seems simple, but people often visit places because other people enjoy them. Visiting places that offer activities you really enjoy increases your chances of actually really enjoying your vacation.
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| Food and drink experiences are a must-do on my vacations! |
7. Who is going on this vacation?
Just you and your significant other is a completely different vacation than one with grandparents and grandkids. A girls trip (or a guys trip) is very different than a solo trip. For instance, the beach might be a great place for a multi-generational trip, but perhaps less fun as a solo trip. Long museum days might be just what you love, but your kids might rebel and make things miserable. Tailoring your destination and activities to those traveling will likely result in a better vacation.
Is there a right answer to any of these questions? NO. Travel style is personal and often varies from trip to trip. That's why the only person who can truly answer the question of where you should go on vacation is you!
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