How to choose the travel destination?

Where should you go? Which trip to choose? It's not easy to make a choice. Even though you want to go away, it's hard to choose your travel destination. And with good reason, between the sea, the sun, the fine sandy beachesgreen expanses, atypical destinations and cultural sites must-havesThe choice is yours. Not forgetting fashionable places like the Faroe Islands, Croatia, the Greek islands, Lapland, Malaysia and Latin America. Although the destination for your trip depends essentially on your tastes and preferences, here are some tips to help you find it easily. So many tips that we don't always think of. Then all you have to do is go to a travel agency to finalise your trip. Travel agents offer a a wide range of trips around the world. Stay, fly, camp, cruise, tour, club ... you'll find THE perfect destination to suit your interests and budget.

Step 1: List your desires to find your travel destination

This may seem obvious, but it's the first step in identifying your travel destination. There's no point in going to New York in the middle of winter if you don't like crowds and snow. Identifying and listing what you like and what you love, not forgetting your expectations and motivations, will be a great help. Hiking, heritage, gastronomy, shopping, parties, nature, diving, meals, learning to surf, meditation, discovering the daily life of a country's inhabitants... define what attracts you, what activities you want to do. Depending on your state of mind, a particular continent or country will be suited to the type of trip you want to make. Of course, if you have no preference, you can go straight on to step 2.

Step 2: Define your all-inclusive budget

When we think of 'travel', we often think narrowly of the means of transport and the type of accommodation. But don't forget all the other sources of expenditure. Meals, activities, outings, souvenirs... don't forget to budget for the unexpected too. These could be tips, paying options on the cruise ship, cream because you've got a sunburn, tourist taxes, visas, supplements on the plane for excess luggage or parking to visit a monument, for example. To avoid unpleasant surprises, draw up a budget that is as exhaustive as possible. The breakdown of the budget will help you choose a destination. While plane tickets in Latin America are expensive, the cost of living is lower. In Europe, on the other hand, flights are cheaper but the cost of living is higher.

Step 3: Find out about the destination

If you have an idea of where to go, find out more before you leave. Yes, the Balearics in November are great, but there are no direct flights in November. So you need to find out how to get there easily, as well as the climate, the time difference and the season. Depending on the length of your stay, it may not be a good idea to travel the world for a week and have a 7-hour time difference (it usually takes 1 day to get used to the time difference). The further away your destination is, the less time you'll need to spend travelling to enjoy your trip. The same goes for the climate. Each country and region has its own characteristics. Take this into account when choosing the most pleasant time of year to enjoy your trip. There's no point going to Thailand in the middle of a monsoon.

Step 4: Find out about the destination

From an administrative point of view, not all countries are accessible in the same way. Identity papers, passports, visas... find out about the entry requirements for the region or country you are planning to visit. It's also a good time to take a look at the warnings. Visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs website gives numerous warnings about access to certain sites. Don't forget to adapt your clothing to the season and the country. Then, find out about the events in advance. If you want to celebrate Gandhi's birthday in India, plan to be there on 2 October. The same goes for April in Canada, which is devoted to theatre, if that's what you're interested in. Each country has its own festivals and festivities. If that's what you're looking for, find out beforehand. If, on the other hand, you are looking for peace and quiet, avoid these periods. Health is another area not to be overlooked. In addition to the measures taken following the covid-19 crisis, some countries require and recommend vaccinations. Because this takes time, plan ahead.