If you are looking for somewhere new to travel, you are joining an expansive group of people that just are not satisfied with visiting the same destination year in and year out. Indeed, to enjoy your traveling even more it just may be visiting new places that are the most rewarding for you.
Here is how to choose your next destination:
1. Understand your personal interests. If you are a foodie, then Paris and Rome will interest you. If you like exploring ruins, then Guatemala and Egypt are worth considering. Simply align your interests with what a destination has to offer, then plan your trip accordingly. Keep in mind that the people you travel with must be considered too. While you and your spouse may like art museums, your children may be much interested in visiting a theme park.
2. Determine access to your destination. Most countries are accessible to Americans. A few are simply not recommended for travel by the US. Department of State. These include North Korea, Syria, Nigeria, eastern areas of the Ukraine, and Iran. You should ensure that your passport is valid before leaving and that you have the applicable country specific information documents, such as visas, with you.
3. Consider your personal safety. Even without state department warnings in place, you should consider the safety of the destination you are exploring. Safety considerations go beyond the apparent, such as internal strife, and include your personal security. Monitor state department travel warnings and alerts. Read reviews from travelers that have visited these destinations. An excellent site for finding independent travel warnings can be found on Lonely Planet.
4. Get vaccinated. Your plans may have you traveling to the tropics, where dengue fever is rampant. You will need one or more vaccinations before you leave. What could change your plans are vaccinations that must be spread out over the course of weeks or months. Use the Centers for Disease Control website to help you find the vaccinations that are recommended or required before you leave.
5. Put together a budget. How much will you spend while you are away? Easily, you can go through thousands of dollars as you pay for your airfare, transfers, hotel, food and drink, and related expenses. You will pay for special tours, to rent a car or a bike — there are any number of travel expenses that you will incur. Estimate the cost for taking the trip to determine if it fits within your budget. Shorten your trip or change your destination to save money, if necessary.
Additional Considerations
Certainly, the time when you travel can have a big impact on what you will see and the cost of your trip. That also means you will pay top rate to go the the French Alps in February or to Jersey Shore in July. Off-season travel to a favorite destination is possible, but it may mean forgoing the skiing or swimming that is important to you.
Finally, consider how language barriers may impact your travel plans. Basic communication is important and if you are unable to speak the local language, your plans may be slowed considerably as you seek to make your needs known.
See Also — Missing Abroad: How to Notify the Department of State
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