There is NO shortage of places to go, but how does one decide? Many people will cautiously and wisely look at their budget and available time. Or they look to see what everyone else wants to do and go along. Or they simply get overwhelmed or discouraged and end up staying home. Not me! My "go-to" decision-making approach is to look inside and get in touch with what I'm feeling. Sometimes my soul needs a well-deserved chill and a beach. Other times, I yearn for a tour of European history and culture. Then along comes the "I want to see this before I die, and I can't wait" moment. In that one, I ended at the Masai Mara in Kenya.
When asked about travel in general, I emphasize that there is no right or wrong place to go. One destination is not inherently more "cool" than the next. Five stars do not necessarily provide a better experience than camping. It's what fits for you, now, at this point in time. Hence, I encourage everyone to just go. Go to Vegas...go to Alaska....go to Bali...just go and experience something new! I believe that our brains and bodies need new experiences to grow and develop. If not, we become old curmudgeons.
After I get all riled up about a place, I check the weather. I google when is the best time to go. And I usually DON'T go then, because of crowds. I will go at the beginning or end of the time it says. It's called "shoulder season." Prices are always better, and I just hate standing in long lines for the must-see monuments. Then I look at airfare, since most of my trips are not by car. I use Kayak and have never gone wrong unless I know Southwest flies there as they aren't listed on most of the online sites. Kayak will give me the best deals and can sort by the fastest, most direct route. I will toss around the times vs money quandary for a while and make a decision.
After checking with my gut, I check with AI or the State Department to see if it is a safe destination at the moment. AI can tell you a lot about a place but remember it's AI and doesn't compare with talking with friends and savvy travelers.
Then I decide what kind of experience I want. Would it be fun to AirBnB it and act like a local? Or is room service and a cool hotel bar calling my name? Maybe a tour or cruise is the way to go, and ditching the logistical planning. Usually a clear winner will emerge and I book something. And always with travel insurance! I spent a week in a Singapore hospital, and insurance saved the day.
Now, by this time, I'm excited, and this trip is taking over my brain. This is a lot of the fun for me. Visualizing myself in this destination. I'm thinking about packing and weather appropriate clothes. And shoes. Need good shoes. For the next weeks or months, I'm day dreaming and reading everything I can about where to go and what to do. I will hit the Tourist Bureau sites to see if there are any freebies or coupons. I will download apps about the city, safety, must-dos, and fun phone camera apps. If there is time, I'll review the place's history and the do's and don'ts of the culture. I find out if there are any movies that have been filmed in the area or that are about the destination. Sometimes, I'll download a good audiobook that may bring me closer to understanding the culture or history. I love historical fiction novels. When I arrive, I will Yelp good restaurants in the area, and if it's safe to walk around.
For me, travel is about immersion, having fun, staying open, and soaking it all in. And again, there is no right or wrong. Go about it your own way and get out of it whatever you want. But go. Just go.
- Sharna Law, CEO of En Route Travelware