DIY Travel Tour
Good worldwide travel planning is very rewarding. Plan well and you will get to benefit from all of your hard work by having a great time. The fun can start with planning, as long as you know what to do and how to do it. It’s going to take some time, so start this process as early as possible.
You will save so much money by using this DIY travel tour planner, rather than paying the high price to go on a tour. Follow my 12 steps on worldwide travel planning and learn how to plan a fantastic family trip that everyone will enjoy!
Worldwide Travel Planning
1. Get inspired
If you don’t know exactly where you want to go, read up on various countries. Check out my Destinations, Itineraries, Top Experiences, and Food & Culture posts. You can sit in the back of a bookstore and look through some travel books (and go back to buy a book when you decide where to go.) Check out the Travelers’ Choice Awards on Trip Advisor. Also, talk to your friends who have traveled and find out where their favorite trips have been to.
Once you have decided on which country/countries you want to go to and know how much time you have, go to step 2.
2. Choose the cities and towns you want to stay in.
Then map it out with a Google map, and find the endpoints (or plan a loop). Now find the nearest cities with airports.
*Check to see if your credit card includes travel insurance for any travel expenses that are paid for on the card. I almost had to cancel a 2-week Southeast Asia trip due to someone in my family having the flu. I was so relieved that I would have gotten all of the money and miles returned. If you need a travel credit card, I recommend the Chase Saphire Card.
3. Find flights that match your plan.
Check out my post on 8 Ways To Find Cheap Flights. If you have points or miles, check to see if flights are available. Make sure to log in on the airline website- some sites like United.com have much more availability for Chase Saphire or United Visa holders.) Open up tabs on your computer with route maps of low-cost regional airlines to help you plan how to get there and back. Book your flights.
Now it’s time to start your itinerary. I like to use Google Docs, so I can easily access it without wifi on my iPhone.
4. Figure out how many nights you want to stay in each place.
Get an idea of the things you want to do in the town or city. Take a look at possible day trips. It’s also important to plan some downtime. If it is warm, and you are near a beach, lake pool, etc. make sure to plan a half or a full day relaxing. Your family will thank you later!
5. Using Google Maps, connect the dots.
Figure out how you are going to get from one place to the next. Planes, trains, cars, private transfers, buses, or ferries? They are all good options. It just depends on the country you are traveling to, your budget, time, and comfort level. Don’t book your transportation yet…
6. Book accommodations
This is the fun part! Don’t take it lightly, because staying in a great place can really enhance your trip, and staying in a bad place, can challenge that. See my post on How To Find The Best Places to Stay
*Make sure to keep all of your confirmation emails.
7. Book transportation
It’s good to wait until after you have booked your accommodations so you can be a little flexible on dates if necessary.
Click here to see the best prices for car rentals
8. Arrange transfers to and from the airport
It is so nice to have someone at the airport waiting for you in a foreign country.
Click here to book your transportation now
9. Plan out your days.
Using Google maps for each city or area, plot out what you want to see and do. Then, you can plan to do things that are near each other. Purchase any tickets or tours in advance.
10. Plan where you want to eat.
It is very convenient if breakfast is included in your stay. If not, find someplace very close by. If you have a kitchen, you can find the nearest market and put the grocery shopping into the previous day’s plan (you could also get picnic items for the next day’s lunch.)
For lunch, if it is convenient, have a few options in areas that you will be based on your plan. It’s always nice to have coffee, tea, (or other culture-specific drinks) and sweet treat stops in the plan as well.
For dinner, find some great places and make reservations if necessary.
11. Cross your t’s and dot your i’s.
This is a very important step! Make sure your itinerary is complete. Then, concentrate and walk yourself through your entire trip from start to finish, thinking about each step of the way. Did you miss any details?
12. Read over my Carry On Travel Packing List and make sure you have everything you need well in advance.
Read about the Best Travel Apps, and get your phone ready well in advance.
Don’t miss my Pre Travel Checklist for things to do before you travel (best to read asap!)
And, don’t miss How To Make Your Time at the Airport Quick, Easy, and Fun!
My detailed travel itineraries are to top destinations around the world, and most of this has already been done!
Enjoy being worldwide travelers!
Learn How to Find the Best Places to Stay For the Lowest Price
Get my advice on Renting a Car in Europe
Read this if you are Traveling with Teenagers
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