There are several things that might help you pick your first destination. What interests you? What fuels your curiosity?

Do you have a hobby that you could incorporate into your trip? Do you have a passion that drives your everyday life that has a history, or origins in some foreign destination?

Have you always been fascinated with the Roman Empire? Consider traveling to Italy and visiting the Roman Forum, and the most well-preserved Roman arena in Verona.

Have you always loved French wine and cuisine? Plan a trip to Paris, and the Bordeaux region of France.

Did you major in architecture in college? Plan a trip to Spain, and see Gaudi’s Cathedral Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Or do you want to see the village your grandparents came from in Poland?

You get the point. Pick a destination that you’re going to be excited about, not just one that you feel is a place that you “should go”. It will add a whole new dimension to your journey!

Do you have friends or relatives that have traveled abroad? They are great resources that can help you decide. After all, they know YOU, and what you would enjoy, and find interesting. Facebook, and other social media websites are terrific for this! Post on your status update “What is the best travel destination you’ve been to?” and I’m sure you’ll get several replies!

Right here, I’m going to give you your first invaluable piece of travel advice: Be conservative when picking how much you want to do, and the number of destinations you want to include in your trip. You may never return to this place, so you need to get it done right the first time!

Many people want to “see it all,” all in one trip. I would caution against that. This might be the start of a new passion, the passion for travel. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. People that jam-pack their itineraries with overzealous whirlwind tours get just that. A torrent of pictures, guided tours, and cookie cutter chain hotels and restaurants. They miss one of the most inherent blessings of travel. Every place in this great world has SO much to offer, from the generosity of it’s people, to regional cuisine, art, natural beauty, and historic significance. Trust me, give yourself plenty of time to experience the places you go, and your travels will be so much more fulfilling than just checking destinations off on your bucket list!