How To Decide Where To Go Next

How to decide where to go next – where in the world?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or not, the world is a big place with so much to see, do and experience. In recent years, travel has become more affordable, transport to far-flung corners of the globe is more accessible and it seems like everybody has been bitten by the travelling bug. This can make deciding where to go next a little overwhelming. With so much choice out there, just how do you pick one destination out of the hundreds on offer?

Photo by Capturing the human heart. / Unplash License

Here’s some tips for you to choose your next destination. And decide easily where to go next.

Narrow It Down

Let’s take an example here. Suppose you are headed to the Bahamas. Now, the Bahamas are a perennially popular holiday destination. And, with over 700 islands and islets to the name, it can be difficult to choose where to stay during your trip. However, the fact that only 30 islands are currently inhabited does narrow it down a bit. Each place has its own unique appeal. Whether you want the all-night party atmosphere of downtown Nassau or the peace and quiet of the Out Islands. The point is, there is something here for every taste. So, based on what you are looking for in your destination, choose one or a few of these islands. Thus, you have narrowed it down to a few options.

You will find that this dynamic applies to most destinations. As every country will cater to different interests in different areas. So, all you need to decide is whether you want the peace and quiet of a secluded mountain retreat. Or the buzz and hum of a downtown megacity. For, once you know the vibe that you’re going for, it will make it much easier to select your holiday destination. Even if you want a little bit of everything during your stay, thinking about it beforehand allows you to factor in day trips or moving accommodation a few times in order to get the most out of your experience.

For instance, when we wanted a quick break from daily routine, we planned a relaxing weekend getaway in Kumarakom. And when we wanted to visit some historical, architectural beauties, we decided to spend 3 days in Jaipur and 4 days in Udaipur, visiting several forts, palaces, ancient gardens etc.

Hot or Cold?

Another point to keep in mind is the climate. If you’re hankering for a sunny beach holiday where you can relax on miles of golden sand and swim in crystal clear waters, you probably don’t want to head to the far north on a trip to Iceland. However, if you’re ready to wrap up warm and brave the freezing weather to experience the Northern Lights, husky sledding and breathtaking views of glaciers, countries in the Northern hemisphere like Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia should be at the top of your list. Whilst it is largely impossible to accurately predict the weather forecast, you can research a country’s climate and seasons to optimize the time of year when you visit and to manage your expectations for the trip. In fact, sometimes traveling off season can be highly rewarding. For instance, traveling to Dubai in summer, when it is hot and because of that crowd is so thin. You can always plan for appropriate indoor activities in such cases.

Photo by Slava Bowman / Unplash License

The Aim of the Game

The next thing to consider is what do you want out of this trip? Perhaps you just need a chance to escape the daily grind and relax. Or maybe you want to see the art and architecture of a particular country or state? It could be that you’d like to get involved with a charity initiative to help people or animals abroad. Or you may be visiting a friend. Considering these reasons for travel can help you to make a firm decision about where your next journey should be to. Some destinations can even hit two birds with one stone. For example: thousands of holiday-goers flock to Barcelona every year for the sun, sea and sangria, but it’s also a beautiful city with many examples of the work of great Cantalunyan architect, Gaudí. The perfect place to visit for both culture and relaxation!

What’s your budget

Budget is another important factor in determining where you will be headed next. Although many a times, we want to visit many beautiful and exotic destinations. But we are limited by the budget that we have, end of the day. So, always research beforehand that out of the destinations you selected, which one adjusts best in your budget. And go for it. Since, there are so many countries to visit on a very low budget while there are others which can quickly burn a hole in your pocket.

The way we do it is, set our yearly budget beginning of the year. And then see how we can fit different destinations in it – some cheaper, some more exotic. This creates a balance in our choice of destinations. And still we are able to enjoy all kind of destinations. Like when we traveled to Europe, that trip consumed major travel budget. So, we balanced it with travel to several smaller nearby inexpensive places, spending couple of days in places like Mahabalipuram, Palampur, Wayanad, Coorg, Kabini, a day trip to Kolar and Yercaud.

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Similarly, if you plan to visit multiple countries, balance the expensive countries with the low budget ones. While a trip to Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand etc. is going to be costly. At the same time, you can do a 2 weeks trip exploring Vietnam, or Island hopping in Philippines, visit Bali or Cambodia at much lower budgets. So, select a mix of different countries to balance your yearly budget.

Whilst there are always many factors to consider when planning a trip, including sticking within your budget, how much time you can spend away from home, and the distance that you can feasibly travel whilst still enjoying your holiday, the preparation for your expedition is all part of the fun. Choosing where to travel to next is one of the most joyful and exciting tasks that you can set yourself, so why not get started right now and see where you end up in 2019? This world is rich, expansive and will never run out of ways to surprise and delight you if you just step outside and look around.

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