{This is a conversation sponsored by LuxuryRetreats.com}
The seasons are changing. The desire to see somewhere new and experience something fabulously out of the ordinary is sinking in. The twinges of wanderlust are slipping into my day, inspiring my doodles and the dreams of luxury villas with a private pool in Thailand and waking up in a land far away with the salty scent of surf dancing on warm breezes is calling my name.
It is time to start travel planning.
Credit: Luxury Retreats
But where do you start?
Dream It. See it. Get some input {if you want it}. Narrow It Down.
Personally, I start with the locales that I been thinking of. Typically when I start thinking of a place, it finds it’s way onto my private Travel Plans Pinterest board. I use it like a virtual scrapbook storing ideas, images, details, reviews and inspirational quotes to get me in the mindset of traveling. The beauty of Pinterest is that you can create a private or not-so-private space, invite others to collaborate and send messages back and forth to each other in a chat box. My plans typically start out rather aspirational and then gradually narrow down as I see more of what is available.
For example, I might be hungering for sandy shores and crystal clear waters. So my early pinned images for the board will be of beaches, clear waters that are so blue that it nearly begs you to reach out and touch it. After a few minutes, I’ll start to see a trend and a preferred region will start to emerge. Once the region is clear, then I dig a little deeper, explore some travel sites and research the area.
Ask yourself, “What’s cool?” “What’s the history?” “What is this area known for?” “What do people do for fun?” “Are there local festivals that would be fun to see?” “Are there any culinary delights that you should know about?” Questions like those above will empower your dreams, guide your planning and help you shape a trip that is worthy of your time, energy and money.
Once you have a better idea of what you want to see and experience, it’s time to pick a time.
Decide Who’s Going and What’s Your Game Plan?
As a single mama, your travel considerations are double fold. You’ll need to plan for yourself and for your children. If they are going, cool, check and make sure that everyone has the necessary documents. I have two copies (in addition to the originals) of each just to be on the safe side. Are your passports and other identification up-to-date? Do you have a certified copy of everyone’s birth certificate, shot record and insurance cards? Check the State Department website for any new restrictions or travel guidelines. Do you need to provide notice or share any documents to be in compliance with your divorce decree? If so, find out which documents you need and have them ready.
If you are traveling solo, that’s cool too. What’s your game plan? Who will do the day-to-day while you are gone? What is your arrangement for emergencies and how will you stay in touch?
Brainstorming, pre-planning and getting a penciled-in plan will make you more free to do the things that you are planning and insure that it is a success for all involved.
Grab Your Calendar and Consult Your Travel Professional
Take a quick look at your calendar, what are the major things already on it? Your sister’s wedding? The kids’ birthdays? Yours? That parental anniversary that you had better not miss? Do you have a major project at work that always cycles around at the same time of year? Find two or three windows of time in your agenda that would work and then consult your travel professional, travel agent or club representative before you get wedded to a particular time of year or specific dates. Usually these guys can give you notice on black out dates, which residences book up quickly (one of favorite ways to stay with a group) and the benefits of traveling during one season or another. Be sure to ask about local attractions, seasonal offerings and festivals, as these might dictate the crowds, flight plans and availability of sites. Once you have some dates, you can firm up your plans.
Credit: Luxury Retreats
Where Do You Want to Stay and What Do You Want to Experience?
There are as many options as there are ideas on the type of experience that you desire to obtain. There are also so many options that are based on what amenities and privacy you might require. Start by making a list of things that you think you might need. Check out the pictures, reviews and ask for recommendations. Hotels, AirBNB, Hostels, Private Residences, Luxury Residences and Resorts are available, you simply have to know what you want, where you want to stay, how much space you and your travel party needs and what services you might require to feel comfortable, relaxed, safe and prepared. For instance, I love to stay at a Bed and Breakfast when traveling to Virginia and renting an apartment in Venice makes sense when traveling with friends. You might enjoy having access to a private beach when traveling with your children or grocery delivery, housekeeping services and the pleasure of private chef might make your trip feel perfect. You might consider having car service to help with transportation in an unfamiliar but delightful locale. Don’t forget to reach out to a local concierge or your travel professional for advice on local entertainment. Once you have in mind what you would like, it is that much easier to find it.
Have questions or need other tips? Let us know in the comments.
