Trip Planning
I use an array of resources when I am planning for each of my trips. I start off by doing a bunch of googling to get ideas of places I should visit. Sites like experienced travel blogs, newsletters or travel news sections all can be a wealth of information. Once I narrow down my trip length and timing, I make decisions based on trip costs, logistics and my interest. When I know where I am going, I start looking through specific blog posts and guidebooks to get a better sense about the location. I have listed out some key resources below to help you in your own trip planning.
Travel Websites
Some of the websites I most often use are:
- New York Times Travel for travel ideas
- Conde Nast Traveller for travel ideas (though my budget is much lower)
- Kayak flights+hotels+car rentals
- Lonely Planet for general information about locations
- Blogs…there are so many and it depends on the trip location
Travel GuideBooks
I use Lonely Planet guidebooks when I travel because I like how detailed they are for logistics. I use them as a starting point, but I take their suggestions with a grain of salt. They often feel more geared towards a white, young backpacker crowd, which I don’t relate to. But, I still use them as a tool since they are the most helpful for planning out itineraries and information about how to get around.
Other Travel Resources
I also highly value word of mouth from people I know. Ideally, if I know someone from the location, I will reach out to them for info and tips. If not, I ask friends who have visited before and can recommend a local restaurant, hotel or running spot. Many articles miss out on the local hidden gems. Finding an inside source can really open your world!
Lastly, while I spend a lot of time planning the outline of my itinerary and accommodations for the trip, I leave open the rest of the details for when we arrive. I don’t like to over-plan and would rather wing the actual experience part of the trip. Some ways I do that is by asking my hosts or locals for food tips when I arrive. Or I just wander around until I stumble upon someplace that looks good. And while I have had some hangry walks in places looking for food, I think that is the fun part of travel.
Check out some of my travel posts
- Muir Woods National Monument
- Yosemite National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
You can find more info on my blog page and my running page.