The holidays are over and the days are cold, wet and dark. It’s a good time to shop for travel! Today is Shop for Travel Day, and you know I’m all about planning and comparing prices to go somewhere warm. Bill and I are celebrating today by preparing for a trip to Mexico!
How to Shop for Travel
Technology is an essential part of shopping for travel now. We can compare resorts and accommodations to get the best deal for our money. I am a bit of a spreadsheet junkie, and trip planning is all about laying out the data so I can compare, not only price, but amenities, food options, and reviews online. We settled on one that was mid-price, but the reviews told me that they are very flexible with food restrictions. Giddy-up!
You can also connect to Facebook groups that are all about the resort you choose. Our resort has a fans page, and there is lots of great information there from people who have stayed, are staying, and plan to stay. Oh, and did I mention there is a resort cat? You know that pushed it over the top for me!
You can also step away from technology and actually talk to friends and family. See where they stayed and what they thought of it. Our friends went to both the Dominican Republic and Mexico, but they definitely preferred Mexico. That also helps with our decision of where to go.
How We are Celebrating Shop for Travel Day
We paid for our trip for February after tons of research and planning. But, after paying for the trip itself, we are also buying things for the trip. I have a manicure and pedicure booked for the day before we leave. We are buying travel sized toiletries. We got some gift cards for Christmas, so we’re using them to help out with some of the costs. Oh, and I’m buying a bikini. This is it. I’m doing it!
Although technology has made travel easier, we are using a travel agent. I want things to go smoothly, and she is awesome. How do I know? Well, I went to school with her, so I know how organized she is and I trust her judgment. It’s great to know our trip is a solid plan, because she is good at what she does. She has also booked our trips to Disney World, and it has been smooth sailing every time.
Travel Doesn’t Have to be International
Obviously, we are pretty excited about Mexico. But, travel doesn’t have to be far away. There are times that we just need a break, so we book a weekend in the city. It can be that small break we need to get through the month. No meal plans, no dishes, no cleaning the house – just time together and relaxation.
Other times, it’s nice to just sit and plan out a trip. I love to look at our options, research, plan, and dream about a time when we can afford the travel. Bill and I have looked at Mexico as a long-term plan, not just a vacation. So, when a friend contacted me and said she and her partner were thinking of moving to Mexico, well, I had a spreadsheet for that! You never know when it might come in handy!
Shop for Travel in the Future
Like I said, I love to plan. I’m starting to research a trip to Europe. Maybe a motorcycle trip? They drive on the opposite side of the road, so maybe not. We’ll see. The important thing is to keep dreaming and planning about it.
I also hope to be able to travel somewhere warm every other winter…until we can move somewhere warm all year round. So, that means planning for our next vacation. Will it be Mexico? Maybe Disney again? Or maybe somewhere exotic like Costa Rica? We will see.
Just remember, travel is always more expensive than you plan for originally. The trip is one expense. But then, there’s the new clothes, the nails, the hair…it all adds up. Oh, and then there is the practical side of things, like tips, transportation, and visitor taxes. All that boring stuff. Try to budget a little more than you expect. Hey, if you have leftover money at the end of it, you can buy an extra souvenir or maybe put a downpayment on the next travel!
Wendy
