CHOOSE WISELY: Ten Tips for Picking Your Next Vacation Destination

When faced with the idea of “vacation,” many folks find themselves overwhelmed with the question of, “Where to go?” If all you get is one big vacation a year, and you only take, maybe, 40 such trips in a lifetime, if you're lucky…well, each trip choice is a precious one, so better make it right, right?

How can you be guaranteed that it will be? Unfortunately, trips, like life, offer no guarantees, no matter how well you plan. But, I do have ten tips to help choose a destination wisely:

1) MAKE A LIST: Let your imagination run wild and write down all the faraway places you could maybe visit this year, no limits.

2) PURPOSE: Decide what you really need to get out of this vacation: pure relaxation or pure adrenalin? Ideally, your vacation should help you recover from the past year, and steel you for the next.

3) MAKE A BUDGET: How much can you afford to spend?

4) DETERMINE TIMEFRAME: Will you only have one week, or two? Don't worry about exactly when you will be going yet; just try to figure out how much time off you can afford for this sojourn.

5) WIDDLE DOWN THE LIST, ROUND 1: Based on what you already know about the destinations, think about how realistic each idea is for this year. Is it feasible to fly all the way to Bali and back in 5 days, without killing yourself? Will the airfare alone blow your budget?

6) WHO'S COMING ALONG: This may already be obvious to you, but not always. Maybe this time, you leave the hubby at home and get away with the gals. Or you just want a fun friend to share expenses with. Figure out who you want to travel with (see my previous article online on “Choosing the Right Travel Partner,” if you need help), have them make their own “wish list,” then…

7) WIDDLE, ROUND 2: Compare lists with your travel companion(s); hopefully, you'll find a few matches. Keep those, throw the other locations away--unless your heart was set on one of them, in which case, you could try twisting your partner's arm to still consider it. If you have zero matches, continue brainstorming to come up with a happy medium.

8) WHEN? : Now figure out when each of you can fit the trip into your schedules.

9) RESEARCH: Split your “short list” amongst you to research the locales in depth. Research online or peruse guidebooks at Borders. Post an info inquiry on my new Travel Salon: www.compasstravel.info/forums. Determine some basics: weather, activities, lodging options, ease of getting there.

10) THE FINAL WIDDLE: Reconvene with your data and narrow down to one choice that will fit everyone's schedule, budget, and dream trip fantasies. If the final choice isn't entirely your Fantasy Island vacation this year, don't worry--you still have another 39 chances to take the trip of a lifetime…if you're lucky.

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About the Author: A former Hollywood producer and now 2nd-generation travel professional, Susan Michelle travels the planet as the “face” of the fashion-forward Compass travel lifestyle brand. For more articles, tips, and hot spots from Susan, and community with fellow Cosmopolitan Travelers, visit http://www.CompassTravel.info. Or write her direct at Susan-Column@CompassTravel.info.

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