Your Ideal Step By Step Travel Plan

Planning a trip with the help of a map

Planning in advance is so important in order for you to have an enjoyable experience. If you are going on a family vacation, solo trip, or day trip it is essential that you plan well in advance to avoid stress and disappointment.

Many of us dream about our next holiday but not everyone enjoys planning a trip as it’s not their cup of tea but I absolutely enjoy this process. When it comes to planning I get so excited, that it gives me the thrill. These measures are going to help you get the best out of your experience.

British Passport

First one up is to start with checking the validity of your documents before attempting booking a trip – your Passport, Visa, travel insurance, Health insurance card, digital or hard copies. These documents should be ready before confirming your flight, ferry, coach or train.

If you are travelling outside the UK you might need to check your Passport’s expiry date because some countries require that you have 6 months left at the end of your holiday. Visit gov.uk for travel advice. This is my go-to website for UK and foreign travel requirements.

If you are a frequent traveller make sure you have enough blank pages left in your passport and check that the stamps don’t have a conflict of interest with your chosen country. For instance there might be an ongoing war or riots happening there and now might not be a good time to visit.

Is your Passport defaced or damaged? Remember that your passport belongs to the government and can be withdrawn and cancelled anytime. It will be deemed invalid unless you renew it.

If you require a Visa to enter your chosen country then you need to consider applying for this in good time. If you need to send your passport to the embassy of your chosen country, bear in mind the time it will take to have it returned to you.

Apply for travel insurance, and healthcare cover and get a EHIC or GHIC card for European travel.

You have probably always dreamed of travelling to your favourite city or you might not even be sure where to go. This situation has left you feeling overwhelmed because of the amount of information online and you don’t have the time to plan your holiday.

With my expertise I can help you plan your trip by helping you decide how to get there. I can simplify the process by suggesting when, where to go, where to stay, what to do and that includes how to navigate your city. You might also be thinking about spending quality time with locals and choose family run hotels/resorts.

Here are the types of questions you might want to ask yourself if you were to create a 5 day trip to London:

What is the best time to visit?
What activities and places of interest are available?
How much do I need to budget for?
Where are the safe places to stay?
What is the best mode of transport to get me around?

Be flexible, simplify your planning and be prepared for mishaps like the possibility of inclement weather, cancellation, delays, strikes and avoid overwhelm.

Research your destination, like the history, geography, current affairs, customs, etiquette with the locals, population, food, weather conditions, places of interest, ways to travel around, health, mandatory immunisations/vaccinations, medications against certain diseases, like malaria, Typhoid, Yellow fever, Covid-19.

Consider why you have chosen this destination. Is it a childhood dream or a revisit after a family holiday?

Travel tip: Read or browse through magazines and leaflets displayed in your hotel as they have information that is going to benefit you.

Other things to consider are:

The overall costs, best season to travel, possible challenges, what experience do you desire? What type of holiday are you looking for? It could be a city break, relaxation break, adventure, solo, group, beach, or family holiday.

If you are a history buff like me, look for places that offer tour guides.

Other things to think about are mode of transport, recommended eateries, nightlife, holiday parks, and aim to have fun!

Cycling is a great activity

Consider access fees for some countries in Europe and tourist tax. When I visited Venice with friends  in May 2024, we were required to pay an access fee before entering the city. Additionally, you will need to pay a tourist tax for Europe.

Choose to record your plan in a notebook or in a digital document, like Google docs. This will help jog your memory and could act like a map. Simply because it is so easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget your original plan. But continue to be flexible and be open to learning while travelling.

Your Ideal Step By Step Travel Plan

Once you have decided where you want to go for a holiday, I can research the rest for you.

Consider the location, summer or winter holiday, the time it would take to get there and back. Remember to factor in transfers both ways. Climate, vaccinations, current political situation, currency and exchange rate, food and drinks, places of interest, festivals and places to avoid. Local etiquette and customs. Add some night-life to your plan and dance the night away!

These are essential to make your experience smooth.

Choose your dates wisely and avoid school holidays if possible as prices are usually higher during this time of the year, unless you have no alternative.

Work out a realistic budget and avoid spending above your means. Set aside some money during the year by paying into a travel fund account, which you can set up in your banking app.

Consider the cost of meals, transportation including sightseeing, accommodation and excursions.

Before visiting Sweden with a family member a few years back, we were able to prepare for the prices by making good financial goals.

Exchange some currency before leaving home as the exchange rate is usually higher at the airport or train stations.

Book your activities online before leaving home as this is convenient and travel in style.

Having a positive mindset is great but it is important to be mindful of eventualities. Some examples are flight delays, lost luggage or sudden illness. Travel insurance can make life much better. Prices vary so shop around and you might have these benefits with your bank like mine.

It is important to know the vaccination requirements of your chosen country, for example, you might need to protect yourself against Covid-19, Typhoid, malaria or other diseases.

Learn about the risks and when you need to get vaccinated. Visit travelhealthpro.org.uk

You may want to travel by economy, first or business class and it is worth looking into the type of transfers that would work for you. If you have a disability make sure you mention this to the airline, transfer company and hotel staff from the outset. You could be eligible for special assistance.

Remember, transfers could include, boat, taxi including water taxis, bus, train or coach.

What type of accommodation would work for you? Airbnb, hotel, Caravan, apartment, Campervan?

Packing smart

What type of accommodation would work for you? Airbnb, hotel, Caravan, apartment, Campervan?

Be aware of any dangers by researching this before you head off and listen to local news. Always remain alert.

Inform trusted and close family members about your trip and give them a copy of your accommodation and flight details. Keep up to date with current affairs in your chosen country. Before heading out, write down important phone numbers, for instance the numbers for the embassy, debit or credit card enquiry numbers, emergency services and your service provider.

Study the fire exits and assembly points for your arrival upon arrival. I always make sure I do this. Some assembly points can be found behind your hotel door or ask the hotel staff.

Keep to local laws and customs by reading the small print in your agreement.

Most importantly, avoid carrying other people’s luggage including friends because who knows what’s  inside? Be a careful traveller!

If you have an allergy, pack your medication and make  people and restaurants are aware of any health condition.

A Flight Information Display System at Marco Polo Airport in Venice, Italy

Practice good time-keeping by planning enough time to arrive at the airport, coach or train station. Being early is far much better than arriving late. My last flight to Marco Polo airport in May was scheduled to leave at 6:00 am and I was at the airport at 3:00 am. This saved me from getting stuck in traffic en route to Gatwick airport.

Travel tip: 

Tidy up your home before you leave so that you have less to do when you get back.

Avoid getting a takeaway and freeze prep meals for when you get back home.

Lock Windows and secure doors. Ask a trusted family member or neighbour to keep an eye on your car.

Double-check that documents and belongings are all in your luggage.

Bon Voyage! Safe travels my friends!

Remember to have a good time, enjoy the local custom and stay open to learning from new experiences. Most of all, create long lasting memories.

Once you have decided where you want to go, book a 15 minute consultation to discuss your tailor-made travel plan. 

Disclaimer:

Journey with Bola assumes no responsibility or liability for any omissions or errors in the content on this website. The information contained in this website is provided on an ‘as is’ basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.