1. For those of you who have a Facebook or Twitter account, I encourage you to "like" or "follow" pages or groups like The Travel Channel Facebook page or the National Geographic Twitter page A lot of companies, magazines, shows, people have a Facebook or a Twitter, so search for them and become their fan. This way you get instant tips and updates. :)
2. Find blogs. I admit, blogging is a little tedious and at times I don't even like it...but it's real. People can say what they want and are honest. Looking at travel blogs for what people like, dislike, or how they found good deals is a great way to improve your vacation.
3. Sites like Kayak, Travelocity, and Orbitz are pretty helpful and can offer you savings on hotels, flights, and attractions. However, it is my own personal experience that sometimes things can go wrong when booking through them. I still encourage you to utilize those sites, but once you find a deal actually call the hotel and see if you can get that same price by booking directly through them. This saves the hassle of going through a third party.
4. Google. Searching different places you want to go and seeing what makes each place special can help you find the perfect destination. If you are like me, there are tons of places that you want to visit. Make a list of places you really, really want to see and check around on the internet for when to go, how much each place would cost to visit, and stuff like that. Once you Google places, re-write your list so the places most feasible to visit are on top.
5. TAKE CHANCES! Go on a trip you think is out of your box and try something new. My mom and step-dad took my high school youth group on a retreat where we played paint ball, went white water rafting, and rock repelling super high above the river. Three things I normally wouldn't think about doing on a trip, but I loved every single moment of it. Being with friends and family can make any trip a great one. So be adventurous and you won't be let down!
6. Going over seas or to an exotic destination is nice and appealing, but don't forget about what is in your own back yard! If you are from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and so on...spend a weekend at one of the great Lakes. From Chicago? Take a day and pretend you are a tourist and just have some fun seeing the sights not as a resident. Take advantage of being where you are. Don't overlook things because you are near them, that's how you miss out of some of the best times.
I agree with your advice of looking into "your own backyard" for trips. We so often neglect that which is close to us. (sadly we often do that with people we are closest too, as well.) Ohio is such a beautiful state. It's not majestic like the pacific northwest but I find a great sense of peace and calmness in its beauty. There are tons a parks, trails, wineries and even a few beaches! Ok, it's not the ocean but Lake Erie is pretty big!
ReplyDeleteGod has blessed us with an enormous amount of global diversity. It would be so fun to see all of it! My overseas interests are currently Israel and Italy. I would love to see the places where Jesus walked and hope to get to a villa in Tuscany with old friends.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteThese tips are extremely helpful.
I will use each one to plan my trip to the moon.
If I do not make it back, I have prearranged a letter to be mailed to my mother stating that I decided to go to the moon because Anna said to 'take chances'.
Your biggest fan,
Markie Mark
I'm taking a student group to Paris in July... who wants to come along???
ReplyDeleteyahoo works just as well as google! haha
ReplyDeleteAmy, I totally agree with you on going to Israel and Italy. I think either place would be amazing! I might not be an old friend, but I'll accept an invitation to go to a villa with you :)
ReplyDeleteMark - good luck!
Ma, I would go with you. But hopefully I'll be working...with a job that just requires me to go to Paris the same time you are there!
Matt, get with the times and start using Google!
does anyone have any insight on finding rental homes in the keys and daytona beach?
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDelete“Good Tips” and I agree with you I think Ohio is a great state and there is a lot of things that I miss about it. Since being in the military I have got to travel a lot and have got to see a lot of things around the world. I am glad that you are able to travel a lot and enjoy the sights that a lot of people will never see. (Tips for your readers. If you find a place you would really like to travel, just do what you can to make it happen if you don’t you will end up putting it off and it may not ever happen).