Now that you’ve figured out where you want to go and when, it’s time to start planning the details of your trip. Before you get too far in the process, here are a few things you need to do to ensure your trip is successful.

First, decide how long you want to travel for. This will influence how much you can see and do during your trip. For example, if your dream is to lounge on a beach in Florida, you might need to consider how close it is to home and what the weather might be like at that time of year. In addition, some destinations have peak seasons that are more expensive than others. You may also want to avoid these times if you are traveling with children.

Next, come up with a list of the top activities that interest you. You can do this by looking online for tours, restaurants, attractions, etc. Oftentimes, you will find videos of them as well, which can help give you a better idea of what they are all about. Once you’ve done this, narrow down your list to the top 5-10 items that are a must for you to do on your trip. Then, go back and add in any other activities that may not make the cut but you still really want to experience.

Once you’ve made a master list, then comes the fun part: picking out the exact itinerary for each day of your trip. You can usually do this by breaking down the list into categories such as ‘must-see attractions’, ‘day trips’, or ‘fun activities’. Once you’ve decided on each category, you can begin purchasing tickets or booking reservations.

Keep in mind that it’s always possible to make last minute changes to your itinerary, and sometimes the best way to enjoy a vacation is to leave some open days! If you aren’t the type of person who can just let a day pass by without doing something, try making plans for your most important activities but then leaving the rest free to wander down a scenic street or grab a drink with a new friend.

Finally, it’s a good idea to put together a skeleton budget for your entire trip. This will help you stay on track financially and prevent you from overspending. You can also use the budget as a tool to motivate yourself to save, similar to how you felt when you were saving for your first car or your weekly allowance. It’s a great feeling to be able to add to your savings and know that it will eventually lead to an awesome adventure!

So take a deep breath, remember the reasons you wanted to take this trip in the first place, and then kick off your shoes, relax, and let your worries drift away. You’ve earned it! plan your trip