Writing Sample: Journalistic/ Blog Article
Contracted By: Two’s a Crowd, Travel Agency
Published: Two’s a Crowd
http://www.twosacrowd.com/blog/
How to Choose Your Next Travel
Destination
Whether you’re a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants
traveler or a pensive planner who pours over maps
for hours, choosing your next travel destination can
feel like an impossible task – particularly when you
consider that there are 196 countries in the world,
with cities and towns luring you to the far reaches of
seven continents.
you to go back to the places you loved in the past. It’s
a tempting invitation, but it’s one that blocks you
from the opportunity to see the world. If you must
revisit the same country, try to avoid the cities and
towns you’ve already explored and to aim for corners
of the country that are off the beaten path.
Another principle to keep in mind is that it is wise to
always take the last trip first. Stand in front of a globe
– or pull up a page of Google Earth – and stare at the
vastness of our planet. Then ask yourself: if this is the
Though it seems like pulling a rabbit magically out of last trip I ever take in my lifetime, where would I like
a top hat, most travellers actually stumble upon their to go? Then, go there first. Not the wisest, wealthiest,
stealthiest, or healthiest among us are guaranteed a
next travel destination in a surprisingly predictable
set number of years to live so be sure to bump your
way. They hear a neighbor’s raving review of a local
fishing town on the Chilean coast, see a documentary most desired destinations to the top of your list.
featuring European river cruises, stumble across
What kind of experience do you want to
Kenyan safari photos on a friend’s Facebook page, or
wake up from a dream that they were camping in the have?
outback. But if inspiration alludes you and you’d like Warm weather or cold?
to proactively tackle this question, here are a few
If you’re eager to even out your tan lines but book a
topics to consider when choosing your next great
trip to Norway in January, you’re not going to like
adventure:
what you find.
Step 1: What pulls at your nomadic
heartstrings?
One country, or a string of countries?
For those interested in international road tripping
and maxing out their mileage, proximity to
Everyone travels for a secret set of reasons – whether neighboring countries of interest and ease of
they’re chasing freedom, adrenaline, anonymity,
transportation are excellent points to consider. Fly
romance, mystery, or a few exotic looking stamps on into a conveniently located country and border-cross
your passport. In any case, all travellers know that the as you zig-zag your way around the continent.
right destination is the one that stirs something inside
and doesn’t stop calling out until it’s been thoroughly Somewhat familiar culture, or something truly
exotic?
explored. If you’ve ever had an uncommonly
To answer this question, remember that your sense
wonderful holiday, you know that certain cities and
of adventure is far more important than your past
countries have a kind of siren song – calling out to
travel résumé. Know yourself, your preferences, and
your limitations to ensure that you don’t bite off
more than you are ready for. Do you enjoy diving in
head first to unfamiliar territory, or do you value
being able to read street signs and easily navigate
new experiences?
Are you on the lookout for any special events?
Local festivals, holidays, celebrations, and
conferences can provide one-of-a-kind cultural
experiences that you would otherwise miss out on.
Stop by Mendoza, Argentina for their annual grape
harvest festival, catch a royal cremation ceremony in
Bali, or lose yourself in India’s Spring Festival of
Colors.
However, travel abroad is an excellent opportunity to
brush up on your bilingual skills and to step outside
your comfort zone.
What’s happening in the news?
Savvy travellers know to take the pulse of the world’s
news before booking tickets to their next
destinations. Explore Newsmap and other global
news sources to get an idea of the current political
climate in countries around the world. Consider
things such as wars, health concerns, crime rates, and
any contentious upcoming elections.
Will you be travelling alone, with a group, or with a
solo group tour company?
Despite a wealth of information online, certain
countries and remote reaches are simply too
dangerous or challenging to take on without the help
How much time do you have to travel?
of a local guide. Take inventory of your personal
Distant destinations can easily consume up to two
travel experience and those you will be travelling with
travel days each way, severely cutting into your
precious travel time. Take a careful look at how many before embarking on a trips to developing countries.
vacation days are available to you and how far you
can get without spending the majority of your time
suffering through airport layovers.
Have you taken a look at the logistics?
Do you have to take your travel days at a specific
point in the year or are they flexible?
If your work schedule dictates when you can take
time off, you’ll need to find a travel destination that
has enjoyable weather and a reasonable flow of
tourists during that time of year. Travelling during a
city’s high season can mean inflated prices and
insufferable crowds, so it’s something you’ll want to
take into account.
Honing in on your next travel destination can feel
both thrilling and gut-wrenching, how on earth can
you leave so many adventures on the table? Well, we
all have to start somewhere and there’s no time like
the present. If you’ve got dozens of destinations in
mind, jot them down in a travel bucket list or vision
board so that the next time you’re itching for an
adventure you know right where you’ll be heading
next.
What is your travel budget?
Nothing eats through a travel budget faster than skyhigh airline prices and unfavorable exchange rates.
However, in certain corners of the world – Africa and
Asia in particular – once you’re on the ground, it’s
easy to make a dollar go quite a long way.
If you’re in the process of picking your next travel
destination, are there any other factors that you
would add to this list? Let us know in the comments
section below – and be sure to tell us where you
decided to go on your next adventure!
What languages do you speak or would like to learn?
New travellers may be more comfortable exploring
countries where they can speak the language.