Choosing a travel destination may be the toughest part of your travel. People travel for many different reasons. Whether far away or close to home, time away from home is needed to give a person a chance to relax, renew energy, and freedom from the daily routine. Choosing a travel destination is an individual choice and you have to decide how to balance the factors important to you for making travel planning and destination decisions. Here’s some information to help guide you to find the right destination.

What is the length of your trip?

A long weekend vs. a two week dream destination will lead you to looking toward different areas of the globe. You also have to factor in time differences when you cross time lines, jet lag and losing a day or two just getting back and forth. Even with quick getaways you have to weigh if it’s easier to drive or if it takes just as long driving to the airport, getting through security and the time in the aircraft.

How will you get there?

If you are deathly afraid of flying, then going across the ocean is probably out of the question, unless you’re willing to make an ocean crossing in a ship. You still have the option of cruising if you can drive to where you board the ship. You also have to consider whether you want to get there quickly or take your time and stop frequently along the way.

Is it safe?

There are places in the world that it’s not safe to be due to political instability and hostility toward certain nationalities. For citizens of the United States you can check travel advisories at the Department of State website. Here’s the address: http://travel.state.gov/index.html

Seasonal Conditions?

Do you like the snow or the sun? Keep in mind hurricane season (June 1-November 30), monsoons, rain, etc. of the region you’re considering. There are also times of “high season” when a majority of people travel to certain destinations and that means the prices are higher and choices may be more limited. High season for Europe is July and August; for the Caribbean it’s January, February and March; for cruising the low season coincides with hurricane season.

What do you want to do?

Shop? Nightlife? Golf? Family activities? Read by a pool? Site seeing? Gambling? Adventure? Volunteer? Commune with nature? It is possible to find something for everyone with a little research.

What’s your budget?

This is likely to have the most impact on your choice of destination. You have to consider costs of meals, transportation, lodging, incidentals, fees. Will you have to watch your pennies or can you splurge?

Who’s going on the trip?

A family vacation is much different than a romantic getaway. You can always share a house or villa with family or friends, but then you have factor in their desires, too. You also have to factor in age and mobility and any other special considerations.

No matter where you may go on your next trip, if you ask yourself these questions you’ll be sure to have a fabulous trip. Best of luck to you in your search and have fun at your next travel destination.