If you’ve made your way to this ‘START HERE’ page, chances are you’ve already done most of the ‘heavy lifting’ as far as your ‘traveling life’ is concerned - you’ve considered your options, you’ve made the decision to break free from the ‘norm’, and committed yourself to the pursuit of an incredible adventure into the unknown (Note: If this isn’t you, check out the ‘So you want to travel the world...’ page- it will get you on the right track). I know what you’re thinking- ‘So, ummmm, now what? How do I get started?’ Well, once again, you’ve come to the right place...
There are a few basic questions to consider when first contemplating your upcoming adventure:
These few basic questions will help you start to focus on the details you will need to consider when preparing for your trip. Obviously, planning a 2 week trip is a bit different than planning one of two months or more. Are you a Study Abroad student that may have some time to travel before or after your term overseas? Are you in between jobs, with a few months to spare? Different timeframes make for different types of trips- the tightness of your schedule and the flexibility of your itinerary are inherently linked to how much time you have to be traveling.
Destination- perhaps THE question when considering an extended trip to the far reaches of the globe. Once again, this is a questions answered by YOU, the traveler. What are you in to? What kind of things do you like to do? Do you prefer mountains, or beaches? Would you be more excited about a trip filled with outdoorsy activities, or are you a museum/art gallery wanderer? Is there something you’ve always dreamt of doing, or a place you’ve always wanted to go, but have never had the chance? These are a few questions you can use to help determine what kind of trip you want to have, and then you’ll be able to hone in on picking your destination.
As for working/volunteering- some people want to work (It’s a great way to meet new people from all over the world, interact with the locals, and earn a few extra bucks while on the road), others need to (If you’re going for an extended length trip, chances are you will have to support yourself in some way, shape, or form while traveling), and others just can’t be bothered to pull themselves off the beach or sit still long enough to actually find a job while traveling. It just depends on the individual and the experience they’re looking for.
Take some time to think about these questions and how the answers you give will shape the type of trip you will be planning. Once you’re comfortable with that- it’s time to GET CRACKING and PLAN YOUR TRIP!!!
Next Course: Planning Your Trip...