“Oh, that is DEFINITELY on my bucket list! I’d love to get there, one day…” We hear it all the time. Almost everyone has a ‘bucket list’ of must-visit vacation destinations they’d love to see eventually, and very few are really as difficult to get to as they sound! My top must-visit destinations: Antarctica, Hawaii, and Paris. I’ll probably be waiting on Antarctica until our kids are grown, but Hawaii and Paris are much easier than they seem! All it takes to make it to your must-visit destinations is a little flexibility and creativity, and a well thought out budget.
Really plan your budget. Think through what you can realistically spend on a trip, and then make a plan so you can stick to it. Be sure you’ve thought through not only what you can afford on the upfront things like airfare, hotel, and transportation, but also on dining and activities while you’re there. Once you know what budget you’re comfortable with for your whole trip, talk that through with your travel advisor. It’s always best for us to know what we’re working with in total so that when we begin searching for options, we’re looking for the right things.
Once you’ve got your budget set out, that’s when flexibility and creativity come in to play! Can you be flexible with your travel dates? Sometimes traveling Saturday-Saturday is a lot more expensive that traveling Wednesday-Wednesday. If your travel dates are a little flexible, you might find an amazing deal.
Give us an area, rather than a specific hotel or resort. For example- if you are planning a trip to Paris, let your travel advisor know which area of the city you’d like to stay in, rather than a specific hotel. There are so many great options, that fit all kinds of budgets and families! Let us look in your preferred location for a hotel or resort that fits your family and your budget.
Let your travel advisor know what is important to you in a hotel. Do you have certain amenities you want to be sure are available? Or do you need a room with more than 1 bed? A great pool or kids activities onsite? Be upfront with us about your must-have list, and then be open to options you may never have thought about!
Be ready for some creativity! Once you’ve let your travel advisor know what you’re looking for, be ready for some creative options! Airfare, resort discounts and promotions change all the time, and we’re always looking to get our clients a great deal for an amazing vacation. It might mean having a layover instead of a non-stop flight, or staying at a hotel that isn’t big and famous. It might mean spending more on your hotels to save on the airfare- while still coming in at or under your budget. Or it might mean giving up a private tour or excursion, and taking a group one instead. The options are endless, and finding the perfect fit might take a little time, and possibly a few searches.
We love finding ways to get our clients the vacation of their dreams, so if you’re ready to go, we’re ready to help you get there! Let our team know what destinations are on your must-visit list and let’s start making a plan to get you there!
