Cape Town - Whether you call it a Bucket List, Travel To Do List, or whatever else; we all have a never ending list of places we want to visit.
Making a decision of where you want to travel to next can become very challenging. Here are four key points to keep in mind before booking anything.
Weather
Choosing your travel dates is one of the most important aspects of your holiday.
In today's world the weather can be very unpredictable, but staying up to date on when monsoon season is, or when blizzards are expected is a wise move. Therefore doing research on the best time of the year to travel to your ideal destination is extremely important. If your dates coincide with any undesirable weather conditions, you may want to choose a different date or location.
But remember, the season may also influence the price of your vacation, so choose carefully.
Budget
Creating a budget for your holiday can be very tricky, especially when you have to keep in mind all those extra and hidden costs such as visas, passport, travel insurance and sometimes even tourist tax in some places. Your travel expenses can add up faster than you might think.
Choosing the right destination to suit your budget comes down to researching the price of airfare, accommodation, activities and any other expenses that you might incur.
Location
The world is a big place and unfortunately it's not possible to see all of it, so you have to think carefully when considering where you want to travel to next.
Careful deliberation and planning will ensure your destination suits your interest and budget. A big part of that decision comes down to your interest and what you want to experience.
If its relaxation you need, a beach destination might be perfectly suited. You might want to spend some quality family time or go exploring. Whether you want to do and see as much or as little as possible, knowing what you are looking for will help simplify your decision.
Travel companion
Decide whether you will be travelling alone, with a partner, a group of friends or family; as your travel experience may be affected by your choice of travel companion.
Finding the balance between each traveller's ideal holiday can be very complex, but very rewarding in the end. Agree on what each person's interests are and work out a plan which includes them all, whenever possible. This will ensure that the experience is enjoyable for each traveller.
Another thing to keep in mind is to always be on the lookout for awesome travel packages or specials on airfare or accommodation. While planning your next travel adventure may take a while and can become tedious, the reward is well worth the wait, so get planning.
* Liezel Visser is a PR and social media strategist for Traffic Fundi - written on behalf of Checkout Travel