Travel is cheaper than it used to be, so most of us can afford to take some kind of holiday. But no matter how flush you are with cash, or how time-rich you are, you can still make a costly mistake.
Here are a few things to consider before you commit:
1. What can I afford to do? Be realistic about what your holiday will cost. Is the trip of a lifetime worth months or years of debt? The answer may be yes, but do think about it. If money is tight, investigate the options. There are hacks that can get you the same, or a similar, experience for less than what you may think is the going rate. Look at airline specials, routes less travelled, last-minute deals and early booking discounts.
2. Is it right for me? Think carefully about the kind of holiday you desire. Do you want to simply lie in the sun and forget about your cares — in which case, any half-decent beach is as good as another — or do you want a more fulfilling cultural or culinary experience? Are you interested in meeting people or do you want to get away from it all, and from everyone? Some holidays simply don’t suit us all. Some just aren’t a good fit for all sorts of reasons, and only you can know what they are, so be honest with yourself. Many holidays require a certain level of fitness and/or an appropriate mental attitude (for example, an open mind or a willingness to do new things).
3. Will it be what I expect? Research your destination, your means of travel and your accommodation thoroughly. Online recommendations are helpful, but take them with a grain of salt — sometimes people make mischief, or things genuinely do change (places can deteriorate or improve since their last review). However, if the bulk of online opinions, especially from people you can identify with, lean one way, don’t expect your experience to be any different. The thing you’re looking for simply may not exist. Destinations that rocked a decade ago can suck big time now.
4. What can I learn from the experience? Holidays don’t have to be overtly educational, but if you don’t come back knowing more — about people, places, food, art, whatever — then you really have wasted an opportunity.
5. Don’t listen to anybody else. Do what you want to do — even if it means ignoring everything I’ve just written. [Cliche ahead]. life is too short to have regrets, and travel really will open up the world to you.
