Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
strategies, but my way isn't the only method. Use these tips as a guideline, but ultimately it is
up to you to find the one that works the best for your journey.
You may ind it useful to go through the entire topic and then return to this chapter because
you'll have a better idea about transportation, travel costs, and other important travel issues
so you can create a better-informed itinerary.
STEP ONE—Estimate your travel budget.
For most people, money is the main limiting
factor when it comes to travel planning, so it's wise to look at your finances to figure out how
much you can spend on your trip. It's fine if you only have a ballpark figure, but it is very
helpful to have a dollar amount that you don't want to cross. As you proceed through the next
steps, you'll need to keep this amount in mind because it will be a major factor in dictating
how and where you travel.
STEP TWO—Pick your approximate travel dates.
Now that you have an idea of your
budget, it's time to choose when and how long you want to travel. Some people travel as long
as they can or until the money runs out—which is a perfectly fine way to travel; however,
most travelers don't have this luxury since school, work, or other obligations usually determ-
ine when they can go abroad.
During these beginning stages, it's not necessary to know your exact travel dates, although,
you should have a fairly good idea. You'll inevitably fine-tune and tweak your itinerary as you
continue to plan—maybe you'll see that you can actually travel longer than you anticipated or
maybe you'll realize the need to cut back. Keep in mind that flexibility is vital if you want to
save money; sometimes moving your departure or return date by a day or two can save hun-
dreds of dollars.
Want to see the Tour de France end in Paris? Mark it down on your calendar and plan around it.
STEP THREE—Write down anything you are 100% certain you are going to do.
Sometimes
you have things on your trip that can't change—maybe you have concert tickets or your rich
