What type of resources do you use when planning a travel getaway?

Question

It’s a pretty big world - with so many places to explore, the hardest part can be choosing where to go. Some use the internet for inspiration. Some collect travel magazines. Some prefer a thick guidebook on their nightstand, but we want to know what works for you. Tell us what helps you plan a great vacation.

Answer 1

Honestly, I just kind of think about what I'm looking for: beach, mountains, hiking, shopping or whatever and I ask here on answers. A lot of people have a lot of experiences to base their opinions on and answer pretty honestly.
I also read all sorts of books with travel short story collections.
After I get a few ideas, I like going to the bookstore to check out the travel books or check out virtualtourist.com

Answer 2

I am a BUDGET traveler. First, I think of SEVERAL places that I would like to go. Then, I figure out what days I can travel. I look at the price of airline tickets online first, whichever destination I can travel to for cheapest is the one I choose. Having stops and layovers doesn't bother me at all so if I can get a cheaper ticket doing that then I do. The internet is my main source, I have NEVER and probably will never use a personal travel agent. Once I pick my airline ticket I use the internet to find amazing deals on lodging. Then I might buy a magazine, or a tourist guide book that has good ideas, or if I know that there is something specific I want to do then I might look up prices online or call the hotel I plan on staying at because sometimes they can make arrangements AND get a discount. Being the budget traveler that I am, I would rather save on airfare and lodging, that way I can splurge (if I must) on fun things to do while I'm there. The internet really is the best help!!!

Answer 3

Generally speaking, I have a wish list of places that I've always wanted to see or want to take the kids - so choosing a place is easy once I decide whether I'm traveling for relaxation or to a destination. After that it depends on the place.

This IS the internet so I'm sure it's no big surprise that I do lots of on-line looking. Both at travel sites (think travelocity) and direct business sites (hotel chain sites). If my destination is more than five or so hours away I'll check out flight costs - but ususally it is way too expensive for a family to fly. Besides, then I don't have to deal with a rental car or shuttling all over creation to get to a rental counter or cramped seats with no room to move my legs - or the person in front of you who reclines during drink service making it much harder to use the tray.

The only time I look at travel magazines is in waiting rooms and I'm not a huge fan of guidebooks - they get out of date much too quickly. Although I may check one out of the library to look over. The internet has much more up to the minute info on hours, costs ...etc.

I've been told that I spend much more time on travel planning than most of my friends. Hours spent researching just the right hotels for the ammenities that I want - then more time searching to see who has the best price. I'm not a fan of the plane-car-hotel packages because there is alway something that is not a good fit, or you don't know which hotel/motel you'll get dumped in. After all, what's the point of saving 30$ on a package if I'll just spend that driving around because the hotel is in the boonies etc. I don't like buying blind either - so name the hotel or airline/flight or I'm not interested.

Some folks would say I'm cheap - but that's not true. Vacations and travel are expensive enough that if I didn't look for the best deals we would not be able to go and would simply day trip around home.

One thing I did notice about the last flight I was on - only a month ago - no one wants to be the third person in the row on a plane and many, many of the side with three seats had one empty. This probably had to do with the days and times I was flying but it is certainly an indicator that most folks who fly would like more space - that would be worth paying a bit more for.

So, to plan a great vaction - all the information I can get my hands on!

Answer 4

Traveling is probably the single most challenging aspect of my life. I'm a free soul- I have no job, no needs, and no responsibilities. So how do I go around having to plan what I'm going to do for a week, or a month?

First and foremost, I look for fun.

Discovering places and things that I don't know about is one of the greatest rewards of traveling, and sharing those discoveries with my friends and family makes it much more exciting. That's why I always look for someplace exotic, within reasonable bounds. Visiting all five continents was my first goal to achieve.

I also want my vacations to be fun right from the start, so stressing over airplane and hotel fares or availability is something I avoid religiously. Instead of wasting my time coordinating many offers, I want to buy a bundle that'll include everything I need, air tickets included.

The problem is that often the above two don't combine. In that case, I'll be looking for that one place I have to visit before I die, even if it's a tourist standard. Looking at the seven wonders is a good example of this.

Finally, there are some places that bloom at one point in time. Taking advantage of this is also plausible- riding the wave before it goes away is almost always a right choice.

Answer 5

I figure out the destinations where I want to go based on travel magazines or cultures or activities I've seen that I want to try or explore. I like to go everywhere cause life is short and until I've seen it I won't know if I like it, so basically, where ever I can get a great deal to, I want to travel.

Once I know where I want to go, I use the Internet, but multiple sources. I have search engines that select the best rates and get all the airlines. Then I search the airlines to see if they will have an offer that betters that rate.

It sounds like that takes a while but not really because I've learnt some key sites that help. (expedia.com, kayak.com, travelzoo.com, site59.com, and some others that are key to last minute travel)

My issue is I can't usually afford to plan far ahead, single mom and don't know what my schedule will be, so I need some fast sources for last minute travel deals.

Answer 6

There are several sources that I use: The internet and other word of mouth methods help. If it's a place I've enjoyed visiting previously, I might be motivated to go back. If there are special deals or bargains, that is another motivating factor. Distance from home also affects my travel plans. Some years I go on longer distances for vacation than other years.
I also like to go travel to places and in seasons that aren't as populated with other tourists. One place my family goes to is Mexico Beach,Florida just outside of Panama City. It's the same beach and isn't very crowded in the early fall.

Answer 7

Consistently I do these things:
1. Ask people I know for there experiences (friends, work people, family)
2. Do a Google search
3. Go to Travelocity to make sure what I've found on Google is ok
4. After I've picked the destination, I buy a guidebook, but never before.
5. Go to luxury magazine sites for inspirations & then try to copy that experience in a less expensive way

Answer 8

I go on my desert deployment once a year...so during that time I spend time doing research.

-First ask my friends about their vacations and what they did (this was what helped me look into and book a cruise)

-Second...I want something different...to see and to experience. I'm not talking about something that will be bring me to my death or anything like that. I've traveled the world and I know I haven't seen it all yet. I find a country that is different than ours in both language and lifestyle and has either a history, sights, or experience to go and do. One year after I saved up enough leave I left to go to Tegucigalpa, Honduras and hiked a mountain, visiting all the small and tiny villages along the way...and handed out candy to all the kids...only to find a very old church at the top with really old village charm...taking me in, feeding me and trying to communicate in Spanish.

Anyone can plan a vacation like to Hawaii...a hotel, beaches, drinks and get to wear colorful clothes for the entire time (I did this too)...but when i got home I found that I pretty much paid alot of money to do the same thing (except for a few) I do at home but in Hawaii.

Plan me a great vacation? Take me away to experience something new, push me outside my norms, and let me learn something about that culture.

Just my opinion...

Answer 9

I usually have a destination in mind when I start thinking of travel. Something will spark me, a movie, perhaps a book or magazine article, or just someplace I've always wanted to go. I then use the powerful tool of the Internet to do research and plan my trip, what sights I want to see, the best ways to travel to my destination etc. I also solicit opinions on accommodations, and attractions to see what is worth while and what is not. Sometimes the AAA Will have excellent suggestions and travel tips. I always ask my extended family members that have traveled far and wide.

Answer 10

I usually pick a destination that interests me after I watch "The Travel Channel," especially something featuring Samantha Brown. From there, I look at the internet for reasonable flights. I like to book my flight before anything else. Last year was the first year I chose an airline that I was trying to accumulate frequent flyer points.

Once I find a flight using a variety of websites, I look for a hotel with a continental breakfast. That way I can stock up for the morning and go all day.

There are so many websites out there for travel taht its hard to choose. You just have to be patient and look for the deals.

Answer 11

Personally, my favourite way to travel is to not plan anything. I just pack up my stuff and go wherever seems interesting. They are the most exciting trips and are much more relaxing than ones planned months ahead. I am a travel junkie, and use the internet for inspiration. I am not really into beaches and hot destinations but am into European and Asian cultures which have so much history, and so much beauty, both natural and artificial. I would like to take European and Asian vacations in the future, but not plan anything, and just explore the destinations as I go. Travel is my passion, after aviation. They really mix together! Thanks for the oppourtunity to answer your question.

Delta Airlines rocks! I will definitely travel with your company in the future, but definitely last minute!