Choosing the Perfect Holiday Destination

So, you want to go on a holiday but you’re not sure where you want to go. There are so many countries, regions, cities and towns in the world that just making this simple decision can be a bit overwhelming for some. I know I find it hard to pick where I want to go next from my ever growing bucket list.

Maybe you’ve got a list like me and you’re having trouble picking just one place to spend your holidays. Or maybe you don’t have a list at all and are completely clueless about where to start in terms of choosing the perfect holiday destination.

Read on to find out how you can narrow down your list, find a destination that is perfect for your needs and begin the travel planning process simply and stress-free.

Where to Start

Firstly, think about what you want to get out of the holiday and write it down. Maybe you want to come back completely relaxed, or you want to see as much as you can with the time you have, or maybe you want to learn more about something that really interests you.

Write down what it is you’re looking to achieve from this holiday, it may be just one thing, or a whole list of things. This is the first step that will help guide you to picking the destination that is perfect for your next holiday.

Picking a Destination that is Right for Your Needs

Once you know what it is you what to achieve from this holiday you can start thinking about destinations that meet these needs. Here are a few examples:

• If you’re looking for a relaxing and peaceful holiday, you’re not going to choose a big city like New York, you’ll choose an island, beach or secluded mountain location that lets you completely relax and come back feeling rejuvenated.

• An all-inclusive package vacation isn’t for everyone, but for those who don’t want to have the stress of planning out each meticulous detail, they are an excellent choice.

• Maybe you hate the idea of spending days laying around relaxing with just a good book for company and prefer to be more on the go and make the most of your time. Then an island isn’t for you. Instead choose a destination with lots to see and do, a big city maybe or a whole region where you can move from place to place exploring.

• What if you want the best of both worlds? Time to relax while also seeing some of the sights without too much hassle getting around. South East Asia, Australia or Southern Europe for example, are perfect places to relax while still having lots to keep you busy when you feel like it.

• Finally, maybe you’re after total cultural immersion to learn a language, learn to cook the local cuisine or really get under the skin of a place’s history and culture. These experiences can be had anywhere in the world, it really depends on the exact type of experience you’re after. For example you want to learn to cook Italian, then go to Italy. Or you want to learn to speak Mandarin, then go to China.

• At this point it’s important to do some research on some of the destinations that suit your holiday needs. Search you favourite blogs (like this one!) for articles or do a simple Google search for some of these destinations and read through the articles to see if they are really what you have in mind.

  When to Go

  Choosing when to go is a very important factor for a lot of destinations. If you’re wanting to go skiing for example, then summer in Japan wouldn’t really work out as obviously there is no snow to ski on. Same goes if you’re after a beach holiday. The middle of winter on a tropical island probably isn’t the best time to really enjoying it to its full potential.

  While travelling to a destination in it’s off season might seem attractive for the cheaper prices, how cheap is it really if you can’t do what you went there for in the first place.

  Visiting festivals and major sporting events around the world is also a good example here. Do a Google search to find out when they are on, if tickets are still available etc., so you don’t miss out. If it’s not Baseball season in the USA, you’re unlikely to be able to catch a major league game while you’re there.

  Then again, it may be that you top priority is a cheap holiday. In this case, avoid major holidays, festivals, events and travel off season to get the best deals and cheapest prices.

  A little bit of research based on your needs will go a long way to making this the perfect holiday.

  The Final Decision

  Still can’t decide? Maybe you have a list of a few destinations but you just can’t pick one. Well, why not ask your friends and family what they think. Someone you know may have been to one of these destinations before and can give you some insider information that may make this destination a front runner or boot it off your list all together.

  Remember to always take others opinions lightly. What interests and makes a good holiday for one person doesn’t necessarily suit all. So think about what they say carefully and take on-board what you think will help.

  Travel bloggers (like me!) also love to received emails and messages from readers too. I’m always happy to help a fellow traveller and reader plan their perfect holiday. Feel free to leave a comment below or email me. I am a travel blogger for a reason and that is, because I love to travel and share my experiences with the world.