How do I plan a holiday abroad?

agrinnall

Doshwaster wrote: »

You will then realise that doing the research and planning is great fun and much better than getting a travel agent or tour operator to do it all for you.

I actually think it's more fun than the holiday itself, but perhaps I'm just a bit strange that way .

Toni'sfriend

And I would say travel as light as possible. Hand luggage only, if you can manage it. Plan your wardrobe. A few things that you can swap around and get laundered if need be. Don't use the hotel facility (that's usually expensive) but most European cities have loads of laundry outlets. If you're going away for a few weeks buy your toiletries at a local supermarket. Saves you carrying and the hassle at airports and is just as cheap as buying at home.

Doshwaster

agrinnall wrote: »

I actually think it's more fun than the holiday itself, but perhaps I'm just a bit strange that way .

Oh, I'm the same. I love building up virtual itineraries - researching routes, activities and hotels before scrapping it all and starting again. These days there is so much information available online that there is really no need for a travel agent.

sandsy

Doshwaster wrote: »

Oh, I'm the same. I love building up virtual itineraries - researching routes, activities and hotels before scrapping it all and starting again. These days there is so much information available online that there is really no need for a travel agent.

Me too. I was at a parents' information evening for a potential school trip a few days ago and I felt like saying sack the organisers and tour operators as I could have planned it better. Love the researching and planning phase, knowing that I can make a unique holiday that's ideally suited to our family.

heatherw_01

I always book a flight, car and hotel all separately

elsien

You can use other sites to check on flights and compare prices, but book directly with the airline once you've done so.
This negates the issue of having a third party to deal with if there are any problems further down the line.
Personally I like to know where I'm staying each night because so far I've done two centre rather than touring holidays so I book everything in advance. Depends how adventurous you want to be on your first attempt.

agrinnall

Doshwaster wrote: »

Oh, I'm the same. I love building up virtual itineraries - researching routes, activities and hotels before scrapping it all and starting again. These days there is so much information available online that there is really no need for a travel agent.

I used to like doing it when you had to consult an ABC guide to find out airline routes and scoure guide books for ideas on where to stay.

PompeyPete

sandsy wrote: »

Me too. I was at a parents' information evening for a potential school trip a few days ago and I felt like saying sack the organisers and tour operators as I could have planned it better. Love the researching and planning phase, knowing that I can make a unique holiday that's ideally suited to our family.

Always have a Plan B though.

Just coming to the end of a wonderful 3 weeks DiY in Romania.

Everything worked out, but travelling around mainly by rail was more time consuming than I'd hoped. Slow trains were slow, and quite stuffy, but on the plus side the scenery everywhere is top notch.

In SE Asia without a Plan B things can easily get unstuck.

Toni'sfriend

Always have a Plan B and give yourself plenty of time

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

In SE Asia without a Plan B things can easily get unstuck.

The one guarantee about a trip around SE Asia is that something will not go according to the best laid plans eventually - but that usually when the fun and adventure starts. The more travel experience you have the more you learn to cope with - and even embrace - the unexpected without allowing it to ruin your holiday.

Always keep some US dollars hidden away for an emergency. There isn't anything in SE Asia which cannot be fixed by a crisp 20 dollar bill.