Why Now is a Great Time To Plan a Trip!

It looks like none of us will be going on our dream vacation anytime soon. The Coronavirus pandemic has us not only stuck on the ground, but largely stuck inside our homes - the safest place to be right now and for the foreseeable future, to help the world slow the spread of this disease. We can cook; we can read; we can spend time with our immediate family, and connect virtually with old friends. But you know what else we can do? We can dream. And even better...we can plan.

Did you know that many people cite the travel planning stage as the best part of a trip? According to a 2010 psychological study about the connection between anticipation and happiness that was published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, just planning or anticipating your trip can make you happier than actually taking it.

Judging from the comments we receive from travellers, most of you are pretty darn happy while you're travelling too! But there’s no doubt that the time spent imagining, anticipating, researching and booking travel bring an excitement like little else. So why not use the bit of extra time you've got right now to start planning what could become the best trip you'll ever take?

Design the Perfect Itinerary

Here’s where time is on your side: whether your trip is just a few days long, or several weeks, you want to make the most of it. You have time now to figure out what matters most to you, and craft an itinerary around those key activities. Love to find the best restaurants? Now’s your chance to research foodie blogs and restaurant reviews. Want to explore local galleries? Learn their opening hours and the best times to visit. Hoping to find the best excursions and day trips from the city? Get in touch with a local guide, and they’ll be able to help you find and book the perfect experience.

Some people think that planning an itinerary means you’ll spend your vacation following a rigid schedule with no room for spontaneity. We think it’s just the opposite! If you’ve done your research and picked what’s most important to you, you can relax while you travel, knowing you’re hitting the highlights, and leaving time for serendipitous adventures in between.

Our guides are a great resource for you right now. Even if you’re not ready to book, you can send a message to any of the 4496 local experts on our site, and ask them questions about planning a trip, or a tour, in their area. They’re just as excited to have travelers return as you are to get out there again! And if you ARE ready to book, know that our tours can be booked up to 13 months in advance – a great idea, especially for our most popular areas.

Book popular activities, hotels and local guides

When you’re planning a vacation well in advance, you have so many more options! Popular activities, events and attractions won’t be sold out, you can find the most in-demand accommodation, and book the most sought-after local guides! Time is your friend, in this case.

Get to know the place you’re traveling

Like, really get to know it. Travel guidebooks are a great place to start. Local culturally-focused blogs help. If you’re traveling someplace where English isn’t the local language, look for blogs written by ex-pats, or other travellers who have spent extended periods of time there. Study maps, learn how the public transit system works, and use Google Streetview to have a virtual look around.

Our favourite way to get a more nuanced understanding of the place we’re visiting requires a bit more time…but you’ve got that now! Find a couple novels written by local authors, and learn a bit about your destination through its literature. Time well spent!

Become a packing pro!

You’ll need to be a true travel nerd to attempt this one, but why not take this time to hone your packing skills? A sleek, do-it-all capsule wardrobe can take the stress out of packing, and streamline your bag for your next trip. Figure out what key items in your wardrobe can multi-task, and get ready to travel lighter. In addition to clothing, organize things like chargers, adapters, and spare headphones – all the little things that make a trip go that much smoother.

We hope to see you out there again soon. But for now, slowing down and mindfully planning a future trip can help us appreciate the true value of travel, instilling a sense of gratitude and wellbeing for what we have, and for what we hope the future will bring. In this time of uncertainty, what more can we ask for?