So, you finally decided on your first independent trip. Congratulations!) Where to start?
- Create a basic route
In fact, the development of the route of your future journey is not less exciting than the journey itself. It is very important to maintain a balance – on the one hand to plan your time in an unfamiliar country with maximum benefit for yourself, on the other hand “not to overheat yourself” with information and leave room for your own discoveries.
As a result of the work you’ve done, you should have an understanding of two main things – the length of the trip and an approximate budget.
- Check your current visa situation
It’s best to check the current visa situation on official pages rather than on forums, travel agent sites, and blogs. - Book an international flight
A general recommendation for flights: in order to ensure that the flight is at the best price possible, you should book it in advance. This recommendation is especially true for international flights. If there is no affordable option for your desired dates, check the nearest dates +/- 3 days.
Use the airfare comparison system that searches for tickets in different booking systems, when filling out the search form, include the +/- 3 days option.
- Make the final itinerary
Once you have your tickets in hand, it’s time to make the final itinerary. Adjust the length of the trip and put in all the dates.
Carefully review the destination guides on the itinerary and decide on the logistics of the trip. Make a list of necessary reservations (domestic transportation and hotels) with dates and destinations.
- Book domestic transportation.
Tickets for local transportation (e.g., buses/steams/local trains) can usually be purchased locally. Budget flights, train tickets, large ferries, etc. should be booked in advance.
Book all domestic flights on the itinerary first. It is quite possible that you will have to adjust the itinerary at this point.
Once flights are booked book the rest of the transportation (train tickets, transfers, car rent, etc).
- Book hotels in the itinerary
Booking hotels along the route or looking for hotels on the spot is an individual question. We always recommend booking hotels in advance in cities, popular tourist spots, and islands, as it saves a lot of time and energy on your trip. Especially if you have a clear itinerary and are limited to 2-3 weeks of travel time.
General advice: first decide on an area/beach and already in the chosen area look for a hotel.
As an option, in order to book a hotel on the route at the best price, you can check and compare options and prices simultaneously in different booking systems
- Take out travel insurance
Make it a rule to always take out travel insurance when you go on a trip. - Download all the necessary app on your smartphone, update your gps maps
Your smartphone will be your best friend while traveling. Download all the necessary ip’s at home, and when you arrive, get a local map with internet right away.
If you plan to travel by car, download or update the necessary maps in your gps.
- Take a guide with you on the road
When you travel independently it is always useful to have a book – a guide book, from which you can learn more about the country, culture, people and traditions and read about interesting places and sights.
E-books that can be downloaded to your tablet, phone or reader are ideal for traveling.
- Check your travel essentials checklist
Last but not least, download or make your own travel checklist, go through the list and make sure you have everything ready for an unforgettable trip, yet your luggage is light and comfortable.
Everything else you’ll see and know on the spot!
Believe me, that’s enough. You do not need to surf the Internet to find out exactly where the bus stops, which way to turn from the hotel to get to your desired destination, and where the restaurant, where someone once liked.