Choosing your destination
Choosing the perfect vacation destination can be both exciting and overwhelming, with so many incredible places to explore. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, culture, or nature, the key is to find a destination that aligns with your interests, budget, and travel style. In this post, I’ll walk you through my process of finding a destination and give some tips and considerations to help you narrow down the options and choose a place that will be perfect for you.
In all honesty, we’re ballin' on a budget here so the first thing I ever consider when I get the itch for a vacation is flight prices😂I try to think of a few places I think I might want to go to, and I compare the prices of flights on Expedia and narrow my options down to a couple of places with reasonable prices. This isn't to say that you shouldn't go somewhere just because you can't find a cheap flight, god knows I haven't always gone with the absolute cheapest option, but this will help you narrow down options if you aren’t really sure where to go and you're trying to keep your expenses to a minimum.
My most recent vacation was to Peru. I knew I wanted to go somewhere in South America, so my first step was shopping around for flights. This allowed me to narrow my options to Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Now that you have a few options, you need to figure out what you want from your vacation. There are a few things to consider here:
What is your goal? Are you looking to relax, are you looking for an adventure, etc?
When are you going, what climate are you looking for? For example, if you are looking for a beach vacation, the first places that come to mind are the tropical oasis destinations down south, but depending on the time of year, some places in Europe also offer sunny luxurious beaches!
What activities might you want to do while you're away? If there's a specific experience you’d like to book for your trip, consider that some may only be offered in certain places.
When I went to Hawaii, it was a perfect destination for me because it offered both the chance to relax on the beach and to have a great adventure hiking in the beautiful volcanic landscape. The thing I was most excited about was going snorkeling with sharks. This was something I had always dreamed of doing and of course, it's only offered in certain places!
Next up, (and definitely most important!) you're going to want to DO YOUR RESEARCH and see if the places you'd like to go are going to be safe. You aren't going to enjoy your vacation if you have to constantly be looking over your shoulder. Now, I have a bit of a complicated relationship with this because I have seen time and time again places being unfairly labeled as super sketchy and unsafe, and when you get there it's not like that at all. It's important to listen to these accounts because they do to some extent serve as a warning, but that being said you need to round out your research by looking at real accounts of real people who have been there. Try to find someone who was traveling in the same way you intend to (solo, as a group, couples, etc.) and really listen to what they have to say. Take into account as well, that a lot of accounts of pickpocketing or other petty crimes against tourists are VERY easily avoidable if you know how to protect yourself from it. In all the places I’ve been, I’ve only ever once had a genuine threat to my safety, and it was in a country that is generally considered to be very safe for tourists. One resource I always always consult is the travel advice and advisories on the Government of Canada website. This will give you a factual summary of the potential safety issues in any given country, visa information, health risks, etc. The website also offers a “risk level” for each country but honestly, I would say take this with a grain of salt. Other than the risk index I’ve always found it to be very helpful, but I never use it as my sole source of information.
Another thing you’ll want to consider when you're narrowing down your options is what there is to do there. As discussed, some experience will only be possible in some places but even if there's nothing specific you have in mind, you should look into what options you have in each place. I always look up the place I’d like to go, browse some photos, pull up Google Maps and hit “things to do” and then browse the GetYourGuide page for the area. I find this helps me out too because I’ll get inspired by what I find at this step and end up making my mind up based on a super cool thing I found to do!
A big factor in choosing Peru for my latest adventure was Machu Picchu!
Lastly, you'll want to take a quick look at some accommodation options. This is another really good way to keep costs low since accommodations are likely going to be your second biggest expense after flights. I am a hostel girlie and will always recommend them to everyone, they are a fantastic way to meet people while you’re traveling and save money at the same time. Check out the HostelWorld page for your destination options for some ideas on places to stay and price points. If you're not into the hostel vibe (cause it's not for everyone and that’s okay!) check out Airbnb or Expedia to get an idea of how much your accommodation might be in each place.
Choosing the perfect destination comes down to a combination of practical considerations and personal preferences. By starting with budget-friendly options like flight prices and using these tools to narrow down your choices, you can focus on destinations that fit your financial goals. Don’t forget to research safety, activities, and accommodation options to ensure you're well-prepared for a smooth trip. And always trust your instincts, because the best vacation is the one that aligns with your interests and gives you the freedom to explore, relax, and make amazing memories. Best of luck and happy travels my friends!
