My wife and I just got our passports! We’re planning our first international vacation and feeling a bit lost.
We’re considering destinations like Italy, England, South Africa, or even Las Vegas, which would require a flight. But we have no idea how much money to budget for this trip—would $5k, $10k, or $20k be enough?
We’ve only done driving vacations on the East Coast and have never planned flights or travel in a non-English-speaking country.
At this point, I’m thinking of hiring a travel agent to arrange everything: flights, local transport, accommodations, and activities. That way, we can focus on enjoying our anniversary without the planning hassle.
Start with choosing your destination and checking visa requirements if needed. Estimate a budget based on where you’re going and what you want to do, think about flights, accommodation, and activities. If it feels overwhelming, hiring a travel agent can simplify things by arranging everything for you, from flights to local transport and accommodations.
In all honesty, I would buy Rick Steves’ book “Europe Through the Back Door.” In my opinion, it is still the go-to resource for first-timers planning a trip to Europe. It helps you understand what to expect from your first trip and how to plan it. It even has chapters on “How to Plan a Europe Trip,” along with sections on transportation, accommodations, dining, getting around cities, and several sample itineraries.
Years ago, I randomly came across it at a library before my first trip to Europe. I was young and planning a two-week “typical” tourist trip with friends. After reading that book, I had the confidence and knowledge to stretch that two weeks and my budget into 2.5 months. None of my friends read it, and none of them believed I could spend that long in Europe on the same budget they had for two weeks. With my newfound knowledge, I became the de facto trip leader, and knew what to expect in 95% of situations, and after they left at the two-week mark, I had another amazing two months in Europe.
If you decide to go to Europe, grab that book and read it. You’ll be counting down the days until you leave.
Here’s how I approach planning a trip abroad: The first step is to decide on a destination and dates. Research the best time to visit based on weather, crowds, and events. Next, book flights and accommodations early for better deals. Make a rough itinerary of must-see sights, but leave room for spontaneity. Research visa requirements, travel insurance, and any health precautions needed. Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans. Make copies of your passport and other important documents. Pack versatile, lightweight clothing you can mix and match. Bring a portable charger, adapter plugs, and a phrasebook or translation app. Arrange for pet care, mail pickup, and home security if needed. Finally, make a list of emergency contacts and keep it separate from your wallet. With some advance planning, you can minimize stress and maximize your enjoyment of your international adventure!
In my opinion, you should research your destination and compare transport and accommodation options. You should also book everything in advance to avoid inconveniences.
Travelling abroad might be mind blowing and make you overthink things. All you really need is to conduct proper research of the country you are planning to go to then book everything you need to ensure smooth transitioning while there.
We’re planning our first international vacation and feeling a bit lost.
That way, we can focus on enjoying our anniversary without the planning hassle.