Whether you’re going abroad or just across the country (like most of us will probably be doing this year) planning a trip can be stressful. Even if you’ve got the destination in mind, there are so many other elements that come into play and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
However, it doesn’t have to be as stressful as you think it does. As long as you know which resources to look out for, you’ll find that your next adventure will go off without any problems, and you’ll have everything ready before you even start packing.
Free Guides
You can find free guides on (almost) any city or country wherever you go. Mostly, these are online, where bloggers and travellers have written full detailed guides on some of the places they have visited!
Finding them is easy enough. All you need to do is search ‘free guide’ along with the city name, and you’ll stumble across something you can use. Of course, you may not want to do everything included in the guide – you may not have time, either – but these guides should give you enough of an idea about what to expect and fun things to do when you travel.
Getting Documents
While you can travel to most countries without a visa as long as you’re not staying for longer than 14 or 30 days (depending on where you’re going), you may still need to obtain documents that authorise travel into the country, even if it’s just a stop-over before ending up at your final destination.
This is especially true when you’re going to America, and you’ll need to use sites like esta-america.com so the immigration officer lets you in. Likewise, if you’re travelling to Canada, you need something similar. This is known as an ETA and works pretty much the same way.
Social Media
We use social media all the time when we are booking our trips! We search for hashtags to find places to visit including restaurants, cafes, sights and some stunning view! We think social media is a vital tool and Instagram is one of the top ways to get travel inspiration!
There are also other platforms that connect travellers safely and efficiently. For the most part, you’ll get a group of people who are happy to help and offer advice.
Weather Reports
We constantly check the weather of the destination we are visiting to check that the weather is going to be nice (not that you can do much if it isn’t). If you’re British, it’s always nice to go somewhere you won’t need to think about bringing a raincoat just in case.
Make sure you check a couple of weather sites to make sure you get an accurate idea of what the weather is going to be like. The Met Office is usually accurate, and other news sites can provide a decent idea of what the temperature and weather will be like before you go so you can pack accordingly.
Hotel and Flight Aggregators
Everyone has their dream hotel that they want to visit. It could be the island-esque huts in the Maldives, or it could be the penthouse suite in the New York Four Seasons that overlooks the entire city. But, finding the perfect hotel can be difficult. You want to find something affordable but comfortable, and this is easier said than done.
Similarly, getting affordable (and convenient) flights is another thing to think about, which is why aggregator sites are so useful. They bring all the best prices together to help you pick something that works for you and allows you to compare costs. However, make sure you clear cookies after every visit, otherwise, these prices will increase.
Luggage Guides
If you’re not sure how long you’re travelling for or even where you might end up, a luggage guide is an exceptional tool that more people should take advantage of. These guides can give you an idea of what to pack for all occasions and offer advice on how to make the most out of packing light.
In addition to this, you can also look for general weight limits so you don’t have issues getting on flights. Most airlines will have general baggage limits, but these can vary depending on who you are flying with. These same airlines nights also charge for checked bags but allow free carry-on up to a specific limit. Knowing where you can get free baggage will help you pack more efficiently and help you save some money along the way.
Travel Blogs
You don’t need to go far before finding a travel blog that’s full of all the information you could ask for when researching your trip. No matter where you want to go, there’s a significant chance that someone has been there before. You can use this information to determine where is best for you and plan out your trip from start to finish, making sure you tick off every attraction along the way.
Maps
Arriving in a new city can be overwhelming if you don’t know where you’re going, which is why map apps are vital and can help you plan your trip with confidence. Many apps will work with data, so pick up a SIM card at the airport (if you need to), but others can work even without data or a signal, especially if you download them for offline use.
Triumphant Travel
Everybody wants their trip, whether backpacking across the globe or taking a much-deserved break by the beach, to go smoothly. While you can’t prepare for everything, you can still do as much as possible to minimise your stress and start your trip off the right way. By taking advantage of the multitude of resources available, your trip’s guaranteed to be a total triumph.
