Posted on Friday, January 17, 2025

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by AMAC, D.J. Wilson

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Vacations are fun to dream about, plan, and go on! And they can be enjoyed by all ages. Take, for example, 94-year-old Grandma Joy who is traveling with her grandson to visit all 7 continents. For her, exploring the world with her grandson is key. But, for many of us, choosing a next vacation destination can be a daunting task. Here are three important things to consider when choosing your next vacation destination.

Happy vacation!

Vacations are holidays that allow us to explore exciting places, meet new people, taste interesting foods, and participate in fun activities. These leisure trips are significant as they provide travel time with special people and allow us to break free from regular routines to explore and relax. But, with so many vacation options, from domestic to international travel, how is it possible to choose which is best?

Let’s examine three factors that can influence our travel destinations:

1. Expense – Budget is a number one factor in trip planning for many people. Establishing a travel budget first and seeing those numbers in writing will clearly dictate what type of vacation you can afford. Per Next Vacay, the average cost of a domestic vacation for a solo traveler is $1,550 while the average international trip is $2,300 per individual. However, spending differs based on destination, traveler, and time of year. Individual spending habits also come into play. Do your research to obtain prices for various trips you’d enjoy and compare those prices. Note that highly desirable vacations, such as a trip to Hawaii, may cost more than other destinations. During your research, search for vacation deals and discounts to the places you’d enjoy visiting. If your budget is frugal, you have several options. You may opt to postpone the trip to save up for your dream vacation, you may choose a less popular and/or local location to save money, or you may shorten the length of time at your destination. For instance, you may decide to go for a long weekend rather than vacation for an entire week.
2. Time – Timing plays a crucial role in vacation planning. Destination and travel prices can fluctuate dramatically from season to season based on supply and demand. Going on vacation during the off-season is a wise way to save money on a trip. Off-season is the time of year when the least amount of tourist activity takes place at a given destination. Traveling during the off-peak season offers perks. Not only are the crowds down, but less expense accommodations can also be sought. However, in choosing an off-season vacation, one must be willing to accept that the weather may be less desirable, and popular activities may be closed. Timing is also of the essence when deciding how much vacation time one may take. Since vacations take people away from work, they may reduce income or increase other expenses such as pet care in your absence. All timing factors should be considered, including time to and from your destination that may decrease your time at a given location. For trips of short length, staying local is sensible as it reduces your travel time and maximizes time at your destination.
3. Personal preferences– Vacation choices are endless. People should use their interests to help narrow down travel options. Whether you choose to travel to rugged and scenic Alaska or elegant Paris, France, vacations centered on fulfilling lifelong travel dreams and passions are the most memorable. When choosing where to vacation, consider the beauty, culture, and history of the region as well as your personal interests. For group trips, carefully review the itinerary and be sure that it has appeal to you. For example, if you are passionate about history, consider a historical tour abroad featuring WWII history or visit the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Looking to enjoy specific activities like skiing? Take a trip to Colorado, a state known for its excellent ski resorts and quality snowfall. Or, if relaxing in the sunshine is more your speed, a vacation to Florida’s Key West is likely a fun choice. The goal is to customize your trip to your personal preferences to ensure a great time.

Choosing your next travel destination

Since vacations are not cheap, and one’s time is valuable, you’ll want to make a solid choice when it comes to selecting your next travel destination. There are three main considerations among many that can help you narrow down your choices to include the trip expenses (what you can afford), your time (how long your vacation can be), and your personal interests (what excites you the most to do and see).  Reflect upon these things and use them as a springboard to select your next great adventure.

Additional resources Considering a family vacation that spans generations? Click here to learn about planning a multigenerational family vacation.