HOW TO RESEARCH TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
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This post is about how to research travel destinations
Do you struggle narrowing down where you want to go when planning your travel adventures? With so many wonderful places in the world in visit it can be difficult to narrow it down.
If you’re thinking of planning your first solo trip but are unsure where to start read this article first about how to book a solo trip.
When you start to think about destinations to travel to there are a few major considerations - how much time and how much money you have.
It could be you’re taking time away from work for a longer term travel adventure or it could be a long weekend getaway. Depending on the amount of time you have for your next travel adventure really does have a huge impact on where you can go.
In my opinion, that’s little point in flying 20 hours somewhere if you’ve only got a week to explore. I’d rather spend at least 3 weeks in a place that takes me a day to get to!
If you only have a small budget it may be that you have to head to a closer location rather than paying much more for a long haul flight. Some countries are much cheaper than others, both to get to and the costs when you’re there.
Planning your trip? Use my favourite resources!
🏨 Accommodation : I recommend Booking.com
✈️ Flights : for the cheapest flights, I use Skyscanner
🚗 Rental Car : I recommend Rental Cars
🛡️ Travel Insurance : for the best deals I rely on HeyMondo
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How long have you got?
One of the biggest questions you need to answer when thinking of destinations and that’s how much time do you have for this travel adventure.
Let’s take a look at different destination possibilities for different lengths of time:
One week
If you only have a week for this adventure it’s important to be able to make the most of your time. You should fly somewhere short haul (under 4 hours flight) and just pick one country, city or location. In a week you could travel around a country a little but you can’t see too much of a country in just one week. It’s important not to try and cram too much in to just a week.
Short haul flights from the UK – Anywhere in Europe.
Short haul flights from USA – Other USA States, Canada, Mexico.
Short haul flights from Australia – New Zealand, other places in Australia.
Two weeks
If you’ve got 2 weeks you have some options. You could choose to stay closer to home on a short haul flight and maybe spend more time in one country either staying in one place or travelling around having the ability to see more of one country than if you were just there for a week. You could also choose to do a multi destination trip - maybe two smaller countries or two different islands.
As you’ve got 2 weeks you can choose to travel on a medium haul flight - somewhere around 6 hours from your starting point. This gives you the time to explore a country a little farther away.
From the UK – Dubai, Europe.
From USA – Caribbean, Canada, Mexico.
From Australasia – The Pacific Islands, Bali, Papua New Guinea.
Three Weeks
If you have the time for three weeks away this opens things up a little more as you have alot more time and maybe you are ok with spending 16 hours on a plane to get to your destination. If that’s the case you can probably go almost anywhere in the world with 3 weeks to spend on your trip.
If you aren’t keen on travelling quite so far for a three week trip you could travel to places around 8 hours away from your starting point. With 3 weeks you really can get out, see and experience a country. You can also visit places less visited that you wouldn’t necessarily visit if you only had a shorter time. You can start to really experience a country and not just tick off the main tourist attractions.
Places from the UK – The Middle East, Turkey, Egypt.
Places from USA – Central America, South America, if you’re on the east coast of US you could head to Europe.
Places from Australasia – Indonesia, Asia.
One Month or Longer
If you have 4 weeks or more the world really is your oyster. You’ve got the time to go pretty much anywhere with this amount of time.
You could, of course, stay closer to home if those are the countries you want to explore but when I’ve had that long for a trip I’ve always used the time to get further away and discover new countries and cultures that I simply can’t when I’ve only got 2 weeks or so.
I recommend that if you are on a more long term travel trip you look at alternative ways of getting there instead of simply flights. Sometimes a flight is the most sensible option both to get there and when your travelling around at your destination but often there are other transport modes that make more sense and are much more budget friendly. When you have 4 weeks or more it may not matter to you to spend 20 hours on a train or bus journey whereas when you only have a week for your trip it’s important to find the quickest mode of transport.
Travelling overland can also be a great way to see alittle more of a place. Fair enough, you’re not really experiencing any of the places and simply passing through it but there are some amazing train journeys around the world that take you through some of the most spectacular scenery.
Another good way to save some money on a long term trip is to use overnight transport to get to your next location. It means you don’t have to pay for accommodation that night and you’re also getting somewhere differnt whilst you sleep. I used this alot when travelling around China and South East Asia. We had such a great and unique experience on a overnight train through China.
What do you want to do on your trip?
When you’re researching your solo trip it’s important to think about what the things are you want to be doing on the trip and how you can make the most of your time away.
If you’re anything like me you’ve probably got a ton of different interests and things you enjoy doing but for your trip it’s important to prioritise what you want to do on this particular trip. Maybe you want an active hiking holiday or maybe you want to learn how to make authentic Italian food. Are you used to staying at all inclusive resorts and you want a trip where you can interact with the locals more. It’s possible you want to just relax and unwind without having an other acitivites you want to really take part in.
Whatever your thoughts are for this trip it’s important to have a focus and a sense of purpose for your trip so you can choose a good destination for the type of getaway you want.
It’s possible that you don’t really know what you want from this trip yet. That’s ok! You can start by thinking about what types of activities you like to do at home to help give you an idea. Do you love to party in the city? Or maybe you love visiting museums. Do you love yoga or hiking? Do you prefer beaches, mountains or lakes? Are you looking at immersing yourself with another language and culture?
Whatever you’re into, there is definitely somewhere out there that’s perfect for you.
Take a look at the ideas below to see if anything really jumps out at you that you want to do. I recommend writing a list putting down all of the things listed below that are appealing to you.
What continent do you want to visit?
After looking through the list of things you could do on your trip you should have an idea of what you want to do on this travel adventure.
Now you need to decide where to go. Some countries or continents are better suited to different activities than others.
What country is interesting to you?
Now you know the continent or area of the world you want to visit it’s time to narrow it down to the country or countries you’ll be visiting on this trip.
If you have slightly longer to travel you could visit a few different countries. The following lists will help you get a feel for what each county is known for and should help you narrow down your options.
As an example if you live in the UK, know you have just a week for this trip and want to enjoy some beach time as well as experiencing some history looking through this list will help you understand which countries are the best for this.
You only have a week so I’d suggest Europe
You want warm weather and a beach so countries good for this are Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus.
You also want some history so Slovenia, Vatican, Scotland, Romania, Poland, Italy, Greece, Germany, England and Croatia would be good choices.
You can then compare the two lists. It looks like Croatia would be good for both of your interests on this trip as well as Greece. You have now narrowed it down to 2 countries and you can simply pick the one you fancy the most for this trip.
Africa
Asia
Oceania
Caribbean
Europe
South America
Middle East
North America
What is your budget?
Depending on your budget for this trip you may have to discount some countries. If you’re on a tight budget it’s probably best to travel to cheaper countries. If you have a larger budget for this trip maybe you’re happy to travel to a more expensive country. These lists take in to consideration how much things generally cost when you’re in the country including accommodation, travelling around, meals out and activities.
Cheapest countries
Africa – Tunisia, Morocco
Asia – Cambodia, India, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
Caribbean – Dominican Republic, Cuba
Europe – Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland
Oceania - Australia (although not particularly cheap due to the cost for most people to get there)
Middle East – Jordan, Lebanon
North America – State of New Orleans and Iowa
South America – Paraguay
Most expensive countries
Africa – Tanzania, Kenya
Asia – Japan, Singapore
Caribbean – Dominican Republic, Cuba
Europe – Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland
Oceania - Fiji
Middle East – Dubai
North America – San Francisco
South America – Uruguay
Less or more developed countries
Personally I love visiting both for different reasons as both have something very different to offer.
More developed countries tend to be countries that are well travelled and have many well known tourist attractions. They tend to have great transport links between places. They do tend to be quite touristy and it can be difficult to experience the true culture of a place.
Less developed countries or those not on the common tourist destinations list have alot to offer. You have more chance to really see the culture of a place in less developed places as they have not been adapted to suit tourists. If you compare visiting Benidorm to Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia. Benidorm is a hugely popular Spanish resort that does not have much of a Spanish feel to it due to how the British have been going there on holidays for years and many British pubs and entertainment have popped up to cater to this need. Kuala Terengganu is not touristy at all with traditional Malaysian aspects to life there.
Most Developed Countries
Japan: Known for its blend of ancient traditions and modern technology, stunning cherry blossoms, delicious cuisine, and vibrant cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.
United States: Offers diverse landscapes including national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, iconic cities such as New York City and San Francisco, and cultural attractions like the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C.
Canada: Known for its natural beauty including Banff and Jasper National Parks, multicultural cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking.
United Kingdom: Offers historic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge, cultural institutions such as the British Museum and Tate Modern, and charming countryside in regions like the Cotswolds and Lake District.
Germany: Known for its rich history, vibrant cities like Berlin and Munich, picturesque towns along the Romantic Road, and world-famous events like Oktoberfest.
Australia: Offers stunning natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru, cosmopolitan cities like Sydney and Melbourne, and outdoor activities like surfing and hiking.
France: Known for its art, culture, and cuisine, including iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Palace of Versailles, as well as charming regions like Provence and Bordeaux.
Switzerland: Offers breathtaking Alpine scenery, efficient public transportation, picturesque towns like Lucerne and Interlaken, and outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking.
South Korea: Known for its vibrant culture, historic landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bulguksa Temple, modern architecture, and delicious cuisine.
New Zealand: Known for its stunning landscapes including Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, adventure activities like bungee jumping and skydiving, and Maori cultural experiences.
Singapore: Offers modern skyscrapers, diverse cuisine at hawker centers, lush green spaces like Gardens by the Bay, and cultural attractions in neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little India.
Italy: Known for its art, history, and cuisine, including landmarks like the Colosseum in Rome, Renaissance art in Florence, and romantic canals in Venice.
Sweden: Offers a high quality of life, stunning natural scenery in places like the Stockholm archipelago and Lapland, and cultural attractions such as the Vasa Museum and ABBA: The Museum in Stockholm.
Less developed countries or countries not on the main tourist map seldom have great transport systems in place or even many hotels. These places have little to no tourist infrastructure so travelling there will be more challenging although they can be extremely rewarding.
Less Developed Countries
Cambodia: Known for the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temple complex, vibrant markets, and delicious cuisine.
Vietnam: Offers diverse landscapes from bustling cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to serene countryside and stunning coastal areas like Ha Long Bay.
Laos: Known for its laid-back atmosphere, ancient temples in Luang Prabang, and beautiful natural scenery including waterfalls and limestone karsts.
Bolivia: Offers unique experiences such as exploring the otherworldly landscapes of the Uyuni Salt Flats, visiting traditional indigenous markets, and experiencing the cultural richness of cities like La Paz.
Nepal: Known for its breathtaking Himalayan mountain ranges, trekking routes such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, and rich cultural heritage in cities like Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.
Myanmar: Offers ancient temples in Bagan, serene landscapes in Inle Lake, and a unique blend of cultures and traditions.
Kyrgyzstan: Known for its stunning mountain scenery, traditional nomadic culture, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as trekking, horseback riding, and staying in yurts.
Morocco: Offers vibrant markets, historic cities like Marrakech and Fes, and diverse landscapes ranging from the Sahara Desert to the Atlas Mountains.
Ethiopia: Known for its rich history, including ancient rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, the Simien Mountains, and unique cultural traditions.
Tanzania: Offers incredible wildlife experiences in national parks such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, as well as beautiful beaches in Zanzibar.
Philippines: Offers beautiful beaches, world-class diving spots, vibrant festivals, and cultural experiences in cities like Manila and Cebu.
Uzbekistan: Known for its Silk Road history, stunning Islamic architecture in cities like Samarkand and Bukhara, and welcoming hospitality.
Georgia: Offers a mix of historical sites such as the ancient city of Mtskheta, stunning landscapes in the Caucasus Mountains, and delicious cuisine.
Sri Lanka: Known for its rich cultural heritage, ancient ruins such as Sigiriya and Anuradhapura, and beautiful tea plantations in the hill country.
There’s so many amazing places in the world and if you’re anything like me you’d kinda like to visit them all! There’s so much choice and picking your next destination can be difficult. Hopefully if you use these tips to try to research where you’d like to go next you can figure out where you’d like your next travel adventure to be.
DOWNLOAD : Travel packing list
Take a look at hotels around the world
Solo travel good reads
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans to anywhere in world.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for wherever you’re going to and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfers from the airport.
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com.
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions on your travels on Viator or Get Your Guide.
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