**This blog is part 4 of a 5-part series on common reasons why people don't travel, as well as ways to combat those excuses**
You've set aside time from your busy schedule, saved up vacation days, and have some money. What could possibly go awry?
Trip-Killer Excuse #4
"Where do I start?"
Sometimes you really have that urge to get away. You scroll through Facebook and see your friend relaxing on a beach. Maybe you even follow a "wanderlust"-esque kind of page on Instagram. Work weighs you down, and you need a recharge. But you get home, and you're so tired that you turn on the TV, mindlessly look through your phone, and go to bed.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Planning for a getaway can be stressful. OR, it can be fun! You have to adopt the mindset of a wanderer - get lost in the planning for a trip. If it gets overwhelming, put it away and come back to it the next day with a fresh mind.
If you're stuck, or need a little inspiration to get the ball rolling, follow these simple steps.
Step 1.) What do you want?
To get there, you have to start somewhere. What kind of trip do you want? Get it down on paper! If you have multiple ideas in mind, do a "versus list"
Beach vs. Woods
Leisure/Indoors vs. Adventure/Outdoors
Short drive vs. Flying
Day options vs. nightlife
Maybe you have a list of 10 places you've really wanted to see. Narrow them down by possibility, distance - whatever!
Step 2.) Dive deep
Once you have your top choice (or narrowed down to top 3), do some research. A simple "Things to do in ____" is a good start. Typically, the city you're visiting will have a visitor's page outlining some of the highlights of the town. In my experience, these are rarely helpful. They offer a sterile list, which tends to not have pictures or reviews of places.
Trip Advisor is amazing for giving you a top-ten list of things to do/see. I tend to use this as my first resource, because it helps me visualize some of the options I have when visiting. I'll read through reviews to help narrow my list.
If you're wanting to be a little less touristy, blogs are wonderful resources. The personalized accounts can give you more of a real experience. Plus, you can find out where all of the locals go.
Google Maps also allows you a chance to not only explore options, but your itinerary. If you don't have much time, you have to be smart and strategic. Figure out where all of your destinations are located, so that you can hit them all in a row without much backtracking.
Step 3.) Leave some space
It's always good to have a list of 5-10 things you want to do on your trip. However, it's equally important to leave the time and space for spontaneity! If you plan out every detail, hour by hour, you're not going to enjoy your trip. It's that simple. This will lead you to feel like you're rushing, and never truly in the moment, because you're thinking about getting to the next spot. Instead, have a skeleton schedule, and go from there. Get caught in a conversation at a bar with a local? Finding yourself enjoying a hiking spot? Allow yourself to enjoy it and don't rush - you're on vacation.
Now that you have narrowed down your list to your top choice, and you have figured out some points of interest, take the leap! The toughest step is the first step.
-MT