Research
I would suggest that coming up with a place to visit is the easy part… Especially today, with the proliferation of internet sites, social media influence and guidebooks. Making the trip leap to reality beyond the pages and websites, however, is the bigger challenge.
The way I research may not be isolated to one idea. In fact, I would most likely be collecting data for one or several potential destination plans at once, bookmarking tidbits online, grabbing a video/guide book with focused on the ground information, or even reviewing travel tweets from those that have gone before. Eventually, one trip takes hold, but I maintain multiple research files that I can go back to. Our last trip to Spain/Portugal was 5 years in the making.
I benefit greatly from seeing a route and taking time to understand a basic physical look. Yes… my first research “stop” is to find a detailed map! When I plan, I think in travel loops. Maps help me do this quickly. It could be a small, one day circuit in a city or a broad circle afforded by an open jawed set of arrival and departure flights. We value travel time, so revisiting a space or backtracking is a real pet peeve of mine. These loops support best use of time and resources.
Admittedly, I’m quite linear in my travel planning process. Winging it never seems to go so well. To me, being unprepared, lost or spending hours in a line up while in Rome, Paris or New York City is a waste of our vacation time. No better example was ever presented than our visit to the Vatican Museum in Rome. We literally walked past a sheer km of line and entered ahead of schedule because we pre-purchased tix for an extra pair of Euro! Can you imagine being in Rome and spending hours of your time stopped in a queue? Not me… do some research and find your way through! In fact, I probably over plan. It’s a solid backup for us when we travel. Essentially a built in, ready made option should something be unavailable or if a day gets done much more quickly than expected.
What is it that I research? Everything from the weather to grocery stores. However, the focal points are easy to sum up. The big items include cost/dates/hours of operation for the following; transportation, accommodation, attraction.
- Transport includes the to and fro (be it car, plane, train, ferry, etc) and commuting during visit. Tickets, times, transfers, tips are all worth keeping. Having a superior handle on transportation is essential… It allows one to maximize time at attractions / sightseeing and make all necessary connections. Guessing and hurrying cause mistakes.
- Accommodation planning is equally important. For example, while in Europe we rarely drive (actually never). Thus, lodging must be central to public transit. We rely heavily on Internet, so wifi access is a must. And, if at all possible, we look for included breakfast. When with the kids, we add “pool” and “parking” to that mix. Expedia and other online agencies are great for research, but I rarely book through them, preferring personal contact with the chosen accommodation.
- Attractions are all about the detail. Location, hours, cost, promotions (discount cards/passes), tour details and information… The more you know upfront, the more relaxing the visit. I like to purchase as many of the attraction items as possible prior to visit. It often avoids queues, supports planning and lessens cash flow issues.