Primo Vacation Discounts Blog

Create a “Bucket List”

Before you can add travel and vacation trips to your Bucket List, you must have one.

A “Bucket List” includes anything that you would like to do, see, or accomplish before your die, or “Kick the Bucket” as the saying goes.

So, if you don’t already have a “Bucket List” … why not sit down right now and create one? Since this is a travel blog, obviously, I’m encouraging you to include some exciting travel and vacations/holidays on your list.

Determine Your Personal Travel Style

Start with what you know best – yourself, and your personal travel and vacation style.

Maybe you’re one of those active Boomers (called “Zoomers”) who wants to climb Mt. Everest, do some white water rafting, take an African safari and hunt wild game with a gun or camera, ski the Alps – or jump out of an airplane and watch the ground come rushing up to meet you.

Or, perhaps you’re more into fine food and drink – and want to sample all the five-star restaurants of Europe.

Maybe you want to visit major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China?

Perhaps you’re more of a “sojourner” than a simple vacationer … you like to spend extended periods time in a given locale, soak up the atmosphere and get to know the locals? And, if you’re already retired, you have plenty of time to do just that.

Whatever your style, start listing places that you’d like to visit, or things you’d like to do – anywhere in the world! And, add them to your list.

Research Your Destination(s)

Then, you can get more serious about researching each individual destination on your list.

Are there any special health requirements such as immunizations that you’ll need before you visit?

Will it be easy to find English (or other) language speaking people at the local hotels, resorts, restaurants, tourist sights, markets, shops, etc.? Are you multi-lingual, or is the ability to finding English speaking people a necessity for you?

Don’t forget to check out the climate and the appropriate clothing styles. Some fashions that are quite acceptable at home may be frowned upon, or forbidden, depending upon your destination.

Determine the best time of the year for your vacation trip. (Which are the peak tourist times and probably the best weather vs. which times of the year are the cheapest because they’re considered “off-season”? And, know which is more important to you and your traveling companions.)

If you want some help with your research and planning, why not consider joining a vacation club like Primo Vacations, and use their Concierge Service to help you create a unique vacation just for you?

Determine Your Goal(s) for the Trip

Do you want to learn something new, simply “soak up some sun,” meet people with different customs and lifestyles, do something exciting, or just sit by the water and watch the sun set?

If you’re a genealogy buff like me, maybe you want to visit some ancestral sites on your trip. Or maybe you’d like to get your hands dirty by joining an archeological dig that accepts volunteer workers.

Do you want to travel with a tour group so that many of the “hassles” of traveling will be taken care of for you? (But, recognize that you’ll probably be trading your freedom and spontaneity for that stress reduction.) Or, do you prefer to go off in whatever direction the day and your mood guide you?

Plan Ahead of Time

Regardless of the type of vacation or the destination of your travel, be sure to plan well ahead of time – and, it’s best if you can manage to pack ahead of time as well. (Plan to have your packing done at least 1 week before your departure. Not only does that remove the hassles of last-minute packing and sleepless nights before you depart, but it gives you plenty of time to remember all those things that otherwise you might forget.)

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