Do you think planning travel is interesting.Well it is definitely interesting but you definitely need a lot of research work for that.Well some people find that very much time consuming and boring.But i just love that.It gives me a feel that I am actually touring that place.Many places I have planned and have not visited actually but I can picture them because of my extensive research
So what comes in my mind when I am planning a tour
2) Weather.Look this is entirely your personal choice.For me traveling means both relaxation and adventure.I simply cant manage if the weather is out of order.So I always prefer to visit a place when it has the best weather.Most of the time it results in peak touristy season or at least high season.
I will never visit Malaysia or Indonesia in Christmas time.Weather will be worse and prices will be more because it is Christmas .I will rather prefer Thailand.But still better I will plan to visit somewhere in India at that time because they at least don't put charges on GALA dinner on 24th or 31st.India being a warm country winter is the finest time to visit most of the places
3) Budget:Well a backpacker budget will not be same as that of honeymooners.I can plan a 3 nights Bangkok with 2 nights Pattaya tour in just 18K rupees(325$) for a mid budget family of two.The same tour may cost 50K(900$) for honeymooners because they stress mostly on luxury accommodation.Apart from these the air fare charges are also not constant.It obviously depends on the choice of airlines.But low cost airlines are good options for many nowadays.Apart from these you can take advantages of promotional fares also.
4)Laws and regulations:These are very important.Specially when you are traveling to a foreign country.Get your visa and travel insurances ready.Visa usually have lots of rules.For example you need to posses some US Dollar notes and get it stamped in your passports .Don't keep this for the last day.Contact the embassy and clarify about all the rules.Even if you are not traveling to foreign country keep your passports or any Photo Id proof because when you change a state or district they may ask for it.It is sometimes necessary for train and bus travel also.Bottom line is keep your photo ID with you
5)Cards and money management:Nowadays credit cards and ATM help us a lot.But before traveling to foreign country clarify how much the bank charges extra when used in a foreign country.Compare it with currency exchange rates and decide how much loose cash you want to carry.But to be on the safe side carry some cash with you.There will be currency exchange center in airports.So if you are not carrying any foreign money with you get some from there because handy cash is very much necessary.Also ATMs in foreign countries deduct some extra money for foreign transactions.
6)Booking hotels:It is always preferable to book hotel in advance.Usually credit cards are the preferable methods for online hotel booking.You need to have visa card or Master card.You can also contact with the hotel directly over email or phone and ask if they have any special norms and offers for booking.Any good hotel's reservation departments are communicative enough to answer all your queries..Usually they will send you a "Credit Card Authorization Form".You need to fill it up with your credit card details.They will deduct the money and send you booking confirmation.This booking confirmation slip you need to take a print out and carry with you in your travel.
7) Booking tours/shows/transports:I usually plan my tour but don't book in advance.Sometimes rarely if my flight time is odd I ask my hotel for airport pickup with extra charge that I need to pay afterward.
8)Packing:Dont jam your bags with clothes you wont wear.Think of each day of your vacation and what you will wear on that day.Plan in advance.Try to keep your luggage as small as possible.Being uncomfortable with huge luggage can screw your trip making you more vulnerable to theft. Or even over cautiousness can ruin your trip.In beach carry enough shorts, flip-flops and swimwear.In mountains carry extra shoes.In colder regions carry enough warm clothes.In Deserts carry both sun protectors and warm clothes because in deserts nights are quite chilly.
Few things to remember while packing
1)Small towel
2)Soap strips
3)Sunscreen
4)Hats/hair scarves/caps
5)Sunglasses
6) Handy Soap strips
7)Hand sanitizer
8)tooth brushes
9)tooth paste
10)mobile,laptop,camera chargers
11)Some emergency medicines(Fever,stomach upset,painkillers)Check whether it is banned in other countries
12)Anti septic lotion,Band-aids and Pain relief balm,volini etc.Check whether it is banned in other countries
13)Mosquito repellent
.
So what comes in my mind when I am planning a tour
1)Leaves and holidays.Don't forget year end (Christmas) you will definitely have less work because it is the shutdown time for most companies.So it is easier to get leaves at that time.It is also the best time to visit many warm countries in the northern hemisphere.India,Thailand..etc.But obviously tourism industry will also take advantage of that.Your travel cost may just be double.And also the Christmas and New year eve Gala dinner may wretch your pocket.
2) Weather.Look this is entirely your personal choice.For me traveling means both relaxation and adventure.I simply cant manage if the weather is out of order.So I always prefer to visit a place when it has the best weather.Most of the time it results in peak touristy season or at least high season.
I will never visit Malaysia or Indonesia in Christmas time.Weather will be worse and prices will be more because it is Christmas .I will rather prefer Thailand.But still better I will plan to visit somewhere in India at that time because they at least don't put charges on GALA dinner on 24th or 31st.India being a warm country winter is the finest time to visit most of the places
3) Budget:Well a backpacker budget will not be same as that of honeymooners.I can plan a 3 nights Bangkok with 2 nights Pattaya tour in just 18K rupees(325$) for a mid budget family of two.The same tour may cost 50K(900$) for honeymooners because they stress mostly on luxury accommodation.Apart from these the air fare charges are also not constant.It obviously depends on the choice of airlines.But low cost airlines are good options for many nowadays.Apart from these you can take advantages of promotional fares also.
4)Laws and regulations:These are very important.Specially when you are traveling to a foreign country.Get your visa and travel insurances ready.Visa usually have lots of rules.For example you need to posses some US Dollar notes and get it stamped in your passports .Don't keep this for the last day.Contact the embassy and clarify about all the rules.Even if you are not traveling to foreign country keep your passports or any Photo Id proof because when you change a state or district they may ask for it.It is sometimes necessary for train and bus travel also.Bottom line is keep your photo ID with you
5)Cards and money management:Nowadays credit cards and ATM help us a lot.But before traveling to foreign country clarify how much the bank charges extra when used in a foreign country.Compare it with currency exchange rates and decide how much loose cash you want to carry.But to be on the safe side carry some cash with you.There will be currency exchange center in airports.So if you are not carrying any foreign money with you get some from there because handy cash is very much necessary.Also ATMs in foreign countries deduct some extra money for foreign transactions.
6)Booking hotels:It is always preferable to book hotel in advance.Usually credit cards are the preferable methods for online hotel booking.You need to have visa card or Master card.You can also contact with the hotel directly over email or phone and ask if they have any special norms and offers for booking.Any good hotel's reservation departments are communicative enough to answer all your queries..Usually they will send you a "Credit Card Authorization Form".You need to fill it up with your credit card details.They will deduct the money and send you booking confirmation.This booking confirmation slip you need to take a print out and carry with you in your travel.
7) Booking tours/shows/transports:I usually plan my tour but don't book in advance.Sometimes rarely if my flight time is odd I ask my hotel for airport pickup with extra charge that I need to pay afterward.
8)Packing:Dont jam your bags with clothes you wont wear.Think of each day of your vacation and what you will wear on that day.Plan in advance.Try to keep your luggage as small as possible.Being uncomfortable with huge luggage can screw your trip making you more vulnerable to theft. Or even over cautiousness can ruin your trip.In beach carry enough shorts, flip-flops and swimwear.In mountains carry extra shoes.In colder regions carry enough warm clothes.In Deserts carry both sun protectors and warm clothes because in deserts nights are quite chilly.
Few things to remember while packing
1)Small towel
2)Soap strips
3)Sunscreen
4)Hats/hair scarves/caps
5)Sunglasses
6) Handy Soap strips
7)Hand sanitizer
8)tooth brushes
9)tooth paste
10)mobile,laptop,camera chargers
11)Some emergency medicines(Fever,stomach upset,painkillers)Check whether it is banned in other countries
12)Anti septic lotion,Band-aids and Pain relief balm,volini etc.Check whether it is banned in other countries
13)Mosquito repellent
.
