Planning a holiday doesn’t need to be stressful. Investing time in the organisation and right tools can help take the stress out of travel planning, so you can focus on what really matters— having an amazing time. Whether it’s your first trip, or your fiftieth, good planning is always important, and always relevant – you can’t get a trip off the ground without planning!
Everyone’s relationship with planning is different – some people like planning and others don’t. Spoiler alert – I love planning trips – which is why I’m keen to pass on my enthusiasm, and tips gained from planning holidays for the family, to help you navigate the planning process for smooth travels. From big picture planning, to adding in the details of your travel plans, the blogs in the Tips & Guides section of this website are here to help.
If you’re not sure where to start, head over to the Homepage to have a look at what Love Travel Planning offers, or take inspiration from the Destinations pages if you are still deciding where to go. Then, let’s get those plans rolling…
If you love travel planning too, then you probably have your own way of doing things, so you might just be reading this website to confirm to yourself that you have everything covered. However, for everyone, there are certain planning steps which need to completed to get your travels off the ground.
Head to the Tips & Guides section of Love Travel Planning to find Step by Step guides to planning your perfect holiday.
The blog 9 Steps To Successful Travel Planning, outlines the first 9 steps to setting up the outline of your trip, from confirming who is going on your trip, to defining what sort of holiday you want, when you can travel and where you are going to go, booking the basics and considering any essential documentation or vaccinations required. The blog Countdown to Departure provides a Checklist to tick off your final arrangements before your trip.
With the basic framework in place, how do you Build a Trip Itinerary for Smooth Travels and stay organised whilst you plan – using Travel Journals, Apps or on-line tools? The blogs also discuss areas such as the fact that Travel Planning doesn’t end, even when you’re away! and the importance of reviewing your trip to help you make better travel plans in the future.
Planning can be loose or involved, depending on your personal preference, or the type of trip you are taking. For example, organising a villa holiday in Puglia will be relatively straightforward, whereas planning a road trip, will require much more detailed planning.
So, at the outset, consider how much planning your trip requires, and whether you need:
If you are planning something involved such as a road trip then you will need a fairly detailed plan as there is a lot to consider. Check our the Planning for…Road Trips blogs for more information.
In terms of travel resources, when planning a trip, I like to gather information from a range of places – the internet, guide books, Instagram, and blogs written by those who have visited the destination I am travelling to, or who have taken the same road trip route. I find their insights the most valuable resource available which is why I have written my Destinations blogs as travel stories, rather than Top Ten guides.
As a family project, we started collecting Air Miles (now Avios points) and signed up to airline reward programmes (initially with British Airways) and hotel reward programmes (initially with the IHG Group of Hotels). Although it is a fast changing area, I have written some blogs about Maximising Reward Schemes for airlines and hotels – find out how to use loyalty points and travel rewards, to save on your holidays.
Packing checklists are always useful to refer to and so I will be adding these to the Resources section of my blog in due course.
When preparing for a trip abroad, I like to get ‘in the zone’ by reading something set in the destination I am visiting, or by an author from that place. Discover some of my book recommendations on the Travel Bookshelf for the places covered in my blogs. Let me know if you have any good recommendations!
The earlier, the better ideally – planning ahead gives you more time to research, compare options, and find the best deals on flights and accommodation. If you’re travelling internationally, I’d recommend starting three to six months in advance depending on where you are going.
This gives you enough time to renew your passport (if needed), apply for visas, and book activities or tickets for popular attractions that might sell out quickly.
For shorter or more local trips, you can get away with planning closer to your departure date, but even then, booking ahead often means better prices and more choices. If you’re working around school holidays or other busy times, start as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
How do you choose from a world of possibilities? I know, it can be incredibly difficult, particularly if, like me, you want to go everywhere. There are however some elements of the planning process which might guide your destination decision, such as, who you are going with, if you are tied to school holidays, when you can take time off work etc.
These factors might give you the timeframe, and then you can consider where is good to go at that time of year from a weather point of view.
For more guidance, check out my blog 9 Steps To Successful Travel Planning.
A good budget is the backbone of a stress free holiday. Start with the big ticket items: flights, accommodation, and transport. Then, think about daily expenses like food, activities, and sightseeing. Don’t forget smaller costs, like tips, local transport, and any extras like souvenirs.
Travel insurance is a must—better safe than sorry! And I always recommend adding a buffer for unexpected expenses. It could be something as simple as an extra meal or as important as a last minute taxi ride.
By planning for everything upfront, you’ll avoid surprises and enjoy your holiday without constantly worrying about money.
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