Are you looking for some quick tips on travel planning?

Travel can be frustrating or wonderful. Use these 6 quick tips to plan your next trip and find the vacation that you dream of.

We can’t travel right now, at least not with any freedom like before the quarantine. But we can plan easily for our next wonderful trip!

Because I want the trip to be enjoyable for all, I always like to do some research and trip planning before I decide on the feasibility of any planned trip.

If you follow these six simple tips to travel planning, you will cover all the bases and have the trip you really dreamed about!

1. Who?

This seems obvious, but write it down. If you look at who will be going with you and think about what their interests are, your trip will go much smoother.

- Are you taking the family and need to provide activities for little ones?
- Teenagers?
- Older parents?
- Do you need to factor in some down time for short attention spans for small children?
- Or will it be a weekend with just the girls outing?
- A bachelor party weekend trip planned for the guys before the wedding?
- Just you and your spouse?
- Or is it a solo trip for some down time just for yourself?

By taking the ages and interests of your travel companions into consideration, it will make a world of difference in how you travel and what you plan to do.

in addition, Be open to allowing family members to pursue different activities, within reason.

Remember, too, that you have the option to do different things.

For instance, when my sister’s family wants to go out adventuring, she is often content to sit at the pool. She and her family learned a long time ago that it is really OK to do different things and everyone is happy. They always meet up again and spend plenty of time together afterwards. You don’t always have to be joined at the hip to enjoy your vacation.

2. What?

Consider what type of things you enjoy?

- - If you are more active and adventurous, this will dictate a whole different set of activities than if you want to go to a 5 star hotel, read by the pool and get a massage in the afternoon.
  - Even if you think you know what all the people involved want, it is really a good idea to ask just to make sure.

I went on a trip once with a friend and I thought we were compatible, but I found out she wanted to shop A LOT, and that’s just not me. Even though we may have been compatible in temperament and friendship, our activity interests did not jive.

Then again, on another trip with girlfriends there were two of us who wanted to walk and explore and the other woman wanted to take a taxi or ride everywhere. That made for some awkward moments during the trip.

3. Where?

Where is it you are planning your trip?

- Be specific.
  - If you say Denver, you can go high in the mountains and camp or in the city and be visiting all the fun little boutiques. A day skiing in a resort or a day spent backpacking and camping look totally different. If you sort through the options, there will be a theme that stands out and you can go from there.
- Also, will you be visiting family or friends while you are there?
  - Will you be staying with them or do you need to stay close by in a hotel?
  - You need to create time in your schedule for them, make sure they are available (they have plans too!) and determine how much time your spouse or kids want to spend with them. It could be a little or a lot. Or none at all. You can arrange to let your spouse and teenagers do a little exploring on their own while you visit with your sister to your hearts content!

Taking the time to think these things through before hand is a really good idea for family harmony.

4. Why?

Why are you planning this trip?

Some reasons may be:

- - family outing
  - solo trip
  - honing a skill by taking courses
  - adventure
  - site specific activity:
    - festivals
    - family wedding or graduation
    - seeing a landmark or national monument
    - photography of a specific area

Be sure to take any of these into consideration as to the main purpose of the event. Schedule in enough time for the main activities so as not to be disappointed during the trip. Each facet of the above items takes planning drive time, meal breaks, wait times in lines, and timing for getting ready.

Whether it be a leisurely meal in a wonderful restaurant or getting up early to catch the best sunrise photo with your camera, try to anticipate your needs and what is most important to all concerned.

Express your need for help if your spouse or other members of your group have to make adjustments to help while you are getting ready for whatever you have planned.

Other parties in the outing are usually willing to help if asked correctly and they have the expectation that they need to jump in when you may feel stressed or overwhelmed.

Don’t be overwhelmed while you are on vacation. That is not a good feeling and will have an effect on not only you but on the other members of your group as well.

In addition, remember that sometimes when you are on vacation, the responsibilities that you have as a parent are even more stressful than at home.

Especially when you are camping, you still have the meal planning and prep, clean up and making sure that young children are looked after. Express that concern to your spouse and get a commitment from them to help out. Plan less elaborate meals, go casual in clothing and plan simpler activities if you feel over the top with care taking.

5. When?

- Trips we take are often dictated by time available off work and time specific events. Think about these:
  - Time of year – winter sports, summer beach activities, fall leaves
  - Specific local event, ie: Cherry blossoms in D.C., Balloon festival in Albuquerque, Chincoteague Island Pony Swim, etc.
  - Family event –
    - new baby being born,
    - family reunion,
    - graduation,
    - wedding,
    - 50th wedding anniversary
    - and so on…

6. How much?

Having a budget make things a lot less stressful. After you decide what, where, when, why and who, the last thing is the money. It becomes a lot easier when the first 5 parts of trip planning are done. (or maybe it should be the first thing… you decide)

For instance, if you go during high season, the area will most likely be more crowded and more expensive. But that may be the price you will need to pay to get what you want.

Be sure to budget for:

- Meals out, even if you are camping or staying with family.
- Hotel or campground fees
- Events
- Attractions
- Amusement parks
- Regional explorations
- Museum fees
- Extra shopping for souvenirs
- Toiletries – shampoo, sunscreen, over the counter medication
  - (these are much cheaper to get at home where you know the stores, but if you forget or run out, or the shampoo leaks during the plane trip…)
- Gas
- Parking
- Sporting Events
- Airplane fares and associated fees ( food, tips, etc)

Hopefully these 6 travel planning tips are helpful for you.

We have all had the odd trip where it seemed to be a disappointment and we couldn’t always put our finger on why. Planning ahead and understanding your “why” for going on the trip helps to focus your plans on your ideal vacation or extended trip.

To sum up, if you take these travel planning tips into consideration when you are dreaming about your next trip it will give you a much better handle on your travel plans.

Happy travel planning!

Embrace diversity as you travel

As I left camp today, I did not expect to meet a biker gang. Or a busload of Korean tourists.

Today I only wanted to get a quick sandwich at Subway nearby for my lunch before my hike in Bryce Canyon. That Subway was the craziest place. Busiest Subway I have ever seen!

While I am in line to order, there is a biker club of about 30 or so guys stopped for lunch as well. Leather jackets, tattoos, … you get the idea.

There is also a tour bus full of Korean tourists stopped at the same time.

After getting my order, I sat in my truck to eat my lunch. It was then that I observed the most unusual exchange. One of the Korean ladies goes over to the bikers, as they are getting ready to leave on their bikes, and asks for a photo op. They oblige.

Then one of the bikers goes over to an outdoor table of the Korean tourists and asks for a selfie with the Korean lady! Half the members of the Korean tour jump up eager to get in the photo op.

Then it becomes a free for all. The Koreans are all going over to the bikers to get pics with them and the bikes, and the bikers all want pics with the Koreans! What a cultural exchange!!

No, I didn’t take pictures. Sometimes it is more interesting to just observe.

Four things I try to cultivate when I travel

1. Be brave

Both of these groups of people were curious and interested in the other and it only took one brave woman to strike up a conversation. People travel to experience new things. Be brave enough to follow through!

As I travel all over the United States, I am excited and sometimes a bit disoriented (in a good way) as I discover new people, places, landscapes and local customs.

The change forces me out of my comfort zone and allows me to experience many things in different ways.

My brain is excited!

New ideas and surroundings are ways that our brains and opinions grow.

Allow your curiosity to blossom as you travel.

Ask questions. Find answers. It opens up a new world and a new appreciation of the life around you.

How do you do that?

2. Be open to trying new things.

Food is always an easy thing. A food you never tried might be just the way to start a conversation with a local.

If you are a bit shy and not used to striking up a conversation, ask your local waitress or restaurant owner or fruit stand owner. I always find it easier to talk to a person who is going to be talking with you anyway!

I like to get fresh, local fruits and veggies wherever I travel. The variety from one location to the next is usually significant. I stopped in several fruit stands in Utah and they had over 20 different kinds of peaches!

You will find that most people are more than happy to share their knowledge and expertise with you.

Be polite, be cheerful, be genuinely interested and be grateful for the advice you get and you will be amazed at the wealth of knowledge that people will share.

Whether you visit a city or a national park, there are always people that have knowledge about a place. All it takes is a little investigating in the right way and the courage to speak to other people.

3. Be observant

Large cities or the wide open spaces of national parks, it doesn’t matter. The process is the same. Bryce Canyon is about as far away as you can be from Cleveland, Ohio. Culturally, I mean. But Cleveland is what is normal for me. It is comfortable and known. I feel relaxed and at home there. It is a place that has memories and routines. And few surprises. For me, at least. But for other visitors, it can hold lots of treasure.

I grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Lots of eastern European immigrants historically settled there. So, lots of German, Polish and Czechoslovakian ethnic foods. I grew up eating sauerkraut, kielbasa and perogies. Not everyday, mind you, but these are not unknown to me. But they are to many people. Try them if you get to the area!

In any city, try to go to an area where you might find people going about their everyday lives. You will be able to observe more people in a shorter period of time and will be able to get a feel for the area.

If you get to Cleveland, be sure to visit the Westside Farmers Market for the most interesting experience. I wouldn’t say it would be on the tourist recommended circuit, but I highly recommend it for the cultural immersion into the heart of the area.

I remembered going there when I was a child and young adult. When I went back recently, my friends took me there to visit.

Early mornings are best, check days and times especially around holidays. The diversity of people, the good-natured feel of the salt-of-the earth customers and vendors and the smells are out of this world. And the architecture is not to be missed!

Pre-made pastries, perogies to take home and sandwiches made to order, along with all the fruits, veggies and meats available make for a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells. Culturally diverse and different from any Market that I have ever been in.

Start a conversation with one of the vendors or locals.

Some of these people have been here in the same “stall” for over 50 years! Locals know the most amazing things. Anything from the best pastry in their booth to the best restaurants to eat at. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Shared interests are always good conversation starters.

While you are there in Cleveland, be sure to observe the architecture. Lots of German stone masons settled the area and the expertise and uniqueness of the bridges, buildings and even the gravestones reflect that. So if you had an interest in architecture, local history, German heritage, stone masons or the WPA (Works Project Administration), these would be all great conversation starters.

Ask questions, listen with interest, be open to trying new things and local people will regale you with interesting stories! Wherever you go, you will find people are proud of their heritage and the place they live in.

4. Develop a sense of wonder

Traveling involves experiencing the diversity of the local culture and developing a sense of wonder about your surroundings.

Get accustomed to finding the differences in age groups, clothing styles, gender stereotypes, subtle accents, cultural heritages stemming from generations of immigrants and local customs.

If you travel with a sense of wonder about the world around you, you will never be bored.

You will always find something to be fascinated by from the landscapes to the architecture, the food to the clothing styles, the diversity of the people impacted by everything from the weather to the economy.

Just look and experience the rainbow of diversity that surrounds you from place to place.

If you travel for the experience, I encourage you to embrace diversity. Explore off the beaten path and be open to new adventures. You won’t regret it!

motivational travel quote — Road less traveled by Robert Frost

When visiting a landmark, national park or other place of interest, actually talk to the docent or ranger there.

They know lots of things! They are there usually because they love what they do and have more knowledge about the area than what they can say on the daily tours they give.

Ask – they will love you for giving them the opportunity to share knowledge. I have found the most unusual trails, the most beautiful scenic roads and remarkable stories about the history of a place. Be open to “take the road less traveled” and you will more often than not, be delighted.