Stress-Free Travel: 6 Reasons Why One Should Plan Their Trips In Advance
The success of every venture, including travel, is dependent on a plan. In a world where you are constantly urged to satiate your wanderlust and spontaneity is romanticised, the importance of planning has taken a backseat. But the reality behind every aesthetic social media post that makes travel look like a piece of cake is that hours of meticulous research have gone into planning that trip.
You could always pack up your things and catch a flight to whatever destination is available. But the odds are that it would be an ordinary, chaotic, or stressful experience. A truly memorable vacation where you visit the best places, relish every unique experience, adorn immaculate outfits, and return feeling content and rejuvenated takes planning.
With an abundance of vacation possibilities ahead of you, here are six reasons why you should plan your travel.
6 Reasons To Plan Your Trip In Advance
As tempting as it may be to act on the impulse to take an impromptu trip, here are six compelling reasons why you should hit pause and plan out your travel:
1. Cost Savings/Deals
One of the foremost reasons to plan a trip in advance is because making bookings ahead of time is a lot cheaper than at the last minute. With early-bird offers, you can book amazing flight tickets and splendid stays.
It would even allow you to treat yourself with some upgrades for some extra legroom on the plane or a stay at a luxurious hotel. You can also make the necessary reservations for local experiences and restaurants. Planning your itinerary will help you save costs and give you more leeway with spending on your vacation!
You could also make the most out of sales to shop for your travel essentials.
2. Availability
If you start planning your trip early, you’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of your destination, travel options, and accommodation. You will have your pick of the litter while making your bookings and can plan your ideal itinerary without worrying about reservation availability. You will have sufficient time to research all the noteworthy attractions and experiences to maximise your experience.
For instance, if there is any specific festival, music event, or sports event that you want to attend, you can plan your travel around its scheduled dates. Prior research is also vital in the post-pandemic times because many airlines, hotels, and countries have COVID-19-related policies and restrictions that you should be mindful of.
To be on the safer side, you could also make bookings with a cancellation policy in light of lockdown concerns.
3. Flexibility
Flexibility in vacation plans is the most important aspect of post-pandemic travel. Since you are planning in advance, there is always a possibility that circumstances will change around the time of your trip, and your plans could fall through. There could also be other issues like health emergencies or financial emergencies. Planning your trip will help you account for these contingencies since you can avail of insurance and make cancellable bookings at nominal rates.
You will also have sufficient time to look into alternative destinations that you could visit or experiences you could try if your planned itinerary doesn’t work out. This way, instead of stressing out, you can treat hurdles as happy accidents and make room for alternative experiences.
4. Preparedness (Visa, Bookings, Leaves, etc.)
The key to a seamless travel experience is being prepared. Researching your destination, the things to do there, and the best time to visit will ensure that you have made all the necessary arrangements. This includes applying for leaves at work, making all the required bookings, budgeting, and getting all your legal documents in order.
If you are planning foreign travel, you would need to procure a visa and foreign currency, both of which take time. You could also learn the language of the people of your destination, at least the common phrases that would help you get around. Prior planning would also help you stay prepared by shopping for all the outfits and other essentials you need on your vacation.
5. Reduced Stress
Planning equates to a stress-free state of mind while travelling. When you have done your research, made your bookings, packed all your necessary paraphernalia, and put contingency plans in place, you can enjoy your vacation without any worries, even if things don’t go according to plan.
You will have no worries about not getting your leave approved, not getting your visa, or not finding a good place to stay. You can leave all your troubles behind and have a relaxing vacation. After all, isn’t that the very purpose of a vacation?
6. Anticipation
While last-minute plans give you the thrill of spontaneity, a planned trip gives you the feeling of anticipation. Looking forward to seeing your destination, trying out new experiences, and enjoying the local cuisine will install a sense of appreciation and enjoyment in you.
Being patient and relishing the excitement of your vacation will also make you grateful for your journey.
Conclusion:
Taking a vacation is something to look forward to. It is a chance to break out of your routine, unwind, have new experiences, and make memories worth cherishing. The key to having this kind of trip is good planning. This is especially important in the post-pandemic era, where some countries still impose COVID-19 restrictions, and circumstances are always amenable to change.
If you’re unsure where to get started or intimidated by the thought of research and planning, you can always delegate to skilled and trusted travel planners. They can help you handcraft the perfect itinerary while you sit back and eagerly await your holiday. Connect with our expert holiday planners at GoTraveLab to plan your next dream vacation!