If you are planning a longer trip or a stay abroad, you should plan your trip in advance. Below you will find tips on how to plan your trip as stress-free as possible so that nothing stands in the way of a great vacation.
Planning your trip - the right destination
Are you planning a business trip? Then of course the location is fixed, and usually the hotel too. But if you simply want to go on vacation and therefore don't have to travel to a specific location, you are free to choose.
Pay attention to possible travel and partial travel warnings. Traveling to a country with dangerous diseases or political unrest is not recommended. Current travel warnings can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. You should also find out about the country's entry requirements when planning your trip. These include any vaccinations you may need and items that you may or may not carry with you.
The destination also depends on the purpose of the vacation: Do you want a city break or a relaxing beach vacation? Do you really want to get there by car or are you happy with a flight?
The budget
When planning your trip, most things such as accommodation depend on your budget. If you want to save money and your destination is accessible by car anyway, you should drive. When flying, it can be helpful to compare flights on the internet to find the cheapest price.
If you want to plan a trip on a budget, a vacation apartment, a camping vacation or a cheap hotel or hostel is suitable. If you have more money, you can also opt for a comfortable and luxurious star hotel.
Travel time
Not every destination is sunny and warm at every travel time. If you want to fly to Asia, you should find out exactly what the rainy season is and plan your trip accordingly.
You should also not necessarily visit your destination during peak season. Prices are usually higher then and there are often traffic jams on the highways. Hotels and flights are also quickly fully booked. It is best to choose the low season. It is often not only emptier but also cheaper.
The accommodation
Find out whether the facilities and location of a hotel meet your requirements and needs. It should also suit your vacation. For example, if you are planning a city trip with lots to do Book a hotel in Munichit may not necessarily have a spacious pool area.
Vacation duration
Are a few days enough for your vacation or should you plan several weeks for your trip? The more time you have, the less you need to plan your trip in advance. It's enough if you do things spontaneously. However, if you have little time or a lot to do, you need to plan exactly what to do and when and book certain activities in advance.
Check passports when planning your trip
You should make absolutely sure that your passports are still valid at the time of travel. If this is not the case, apply for new passports in good time.
Plan your trip, preferably with travel cancellation insurance
Job loss, illness or accident - something unforeseeable can always happen that prevents you from going on your booked trip. Travel cancellation insurance is definitely worthwhile, as otherwise you may be stuck with the extremely high cancellation costs. With travel cancellation insurance, on the other hand, you can plan your trip with peace of mind.
Overview of sights and activities
Depending on the duration of your trip, you should think about the sights and possible activities. Sometimes there is so much to see that you first need to be clear about what you want to do and decide how long you want to spend on your vacation. Here you should browse through several websites and travel guides and also look for insider tips or ask family, friends, acquaintances or work colleagues who have already been to your destination.
Round trip or just one place?
Do you want to stay in one place or visit several places as part of a round trip? This aspect is also extremely important when planning your trip.
If you would like to spend your vacation in a single location, it is sufficient to book only the flight and accommodation. Activities and any excursions to the surrounding area can then be arranged during your stay.
Visiting several places, such as island hopping, should be planned in advance, as several accommodations, flights and transfers need to be booked. You should also think carefully about how long you want to stay in each place.
Planning your trip - checklist for your luggage
Of course, you should have different things with you on a city trip than on a beach vacation. When you are planning your trip, a checklist for your luggage is a must. Think about what you want to take with you well in advance and enter these things in the checklist. Use this to go through your luggage. This way you can make sure you don't forget anything important.
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