CHOOSING A TRAVEL DESTINATION!

​  When it comes to choosing a travel destination what you'd assume to be the fun part can sometimes turn out to be a headache. Having had dilemmas in the past when deciding on a destination I came up with a helpful solution called "The F-Factors."

"The F-FACTORS"
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Forcast 
Familiarity 
Flight 
Foreign 
Fun 
Funds 

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Forecast

Depending on the season or where you're located climate is typically the main factor in travel. If it's winter or you live someplace cold I'm assuming any place with the sun and some sand will do but it's not always that simple. Regardless if you choose a tropical over a polar climate checking the forecast proves to be most beneficial. It's almost everyday we hear about all the natural disasters that take place in the world. Think about how devastating it would be if one of these disasters were to occur during your visit. Failing to look into the forecast can result in your trip being ruined by a fatal hurricane, sand storm or something a little less tragic such as a few rainy days. With each region comes different types of weather in certain seasons. Just be sure always to look into the forecast before booking. Besides without knowing the weather how would you know what clothes to pack! ​

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Familiarity

It's no secret that we're all creatures of habit. As much as I love to travel to new places nothing beats going back to a place that I'm familiar and comfortable with. Being familiar with a place could mean a lot of things. Do you have friends and/or family there, do you know the culture or speak the native language or is it some place you wrote a report on back in grade school. Whatever the connection may be I'm almost sure it'll be a part of your decision to visit. Even if you choose a place you essentially know little to nothing about like I did with Istanbul, its always helpful to do some research. Find out about the region and its people. Depending on which time of year you're traveling you should know when it's best to visit the destination you have in mind. It will make a big difference in the way in which your trip turns out. ​

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Flight

Let's face it, nobody actually enjoys a long flight. In my opinion most people dislike or find flying to be horrific. I find flying to be quite therapeutic since it's where I catch up on my sleep and do the majority of my blogging but that's besides the point. Depending on the length of your trip or how long you intend on being away, the duration and travel time are very decisive. Never choose a destination in which your travel time exceeds or even comes close to the length of your actual visit. In my opinion the longer the flight the longer the stay should be. If ever I travel someplace with a flight duration over five hours I usually visit other places while in the area. Not only does it cut costs of future travel it's an easy way to explore more than one country while having to sit through one long flight. Regardless of your current location a short flight could still land you in a different time zone, country or climate. International and domestic flights both vary drastically. In the case of a international flight be sure to have all proper documentation such as passport and visas up to date. Domestic flights require less preparation but depending on where you travel can be just as invigorating as international. ​

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Foreign

As an American I tend to forget that I can't travel anywhere without having some restrictions. Certain countries for example in Africa, Asia and Europe require visas or vaccinations. Most visas can be purchased easily online prior to your departure and some require approval in advance. While most vaccinations are to be done at least 3 weeks prior to your trip. This is where researching your destination proves to be vital. Always be sure to stay on top of politics, current events, safety warnings along with travel restrictions. If ever you feel hesitant about a place before going or even once you arrive you can always check in with the embassy. Laws vary from each country as well as states. Considering the laws of your destination could save you from embarrassment, being fined or even worse being imprisoned. Whenever in a foreign place try your best to respect that place and follow the rules even if it's against your better judgement. ​

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Fun

Narrowing down the purpose of your trip also comes into play when figuring out where to go. Traveling with friends, family or a lover alters your trip greatly. Some examples would be a family vacation, girls trip, spiritual retreat or honeymoon. Figuring out what kind of activities you want to do or not do could makes an easy choice for location. I've learned that creating an itinerary gives your trip structure, whether you follow each thing listed or not. Regardless of your trips purpose knowing the extent of the fun you intend to have is what allows you to plan accordingly. ​

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Funds

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Typically the first step in planning a trip involves creating a budget. Calculating how much you'd like to spend can alter where you decide to go easily. Even if you don't necessarily have a "budget" it's always good to have an idea or limit to the money you're willing to spend. Considering the conversion rate is important because you could possibly spend more or even less if you don't understand the value of your dollar/pound/euro or whichever type of money you're converting. Time of year depending on peak or off-season could drastically increase or decrease the price of travel. Flight prices along with hotel costs fluctuate month to month especially around certain holidays. Preparing yourself with more than enough funds to cover all planned or unplanned expenses is the best initiative to take to ensure a great experience. 

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Honestly speaking, when it comes to traveling I'm very spontaneous. The excitement I get from any spur of the moment trip is like no other. Even when I travel last minute I've learned to consider some if not all of "The F-Factors." I must say the satisfaction I get from a properly planned trip to a place that I precisely chose has inspired me to travel even more. I hope using "The F-Factors" as a guideline at some point assists you in choosing your next destination. Once you figure out the next place on your travel itinerary feel free to comment and share your choice with me! 

                                                                      -#TheLittleTruffle