The Joy of Planning for Travel

“This is going to kill me,” I said to my husband recently.

“What is?” he asked, thinking I meant staying at home, contracting the virus, or some other domestic issue.

“Not being able to plan our next trip,” I replied.

He rolled his eyes, still thinking there are much bigger things to worry about.

And there are. But my joy in life comes from planning our vacations. Having to cancel our spring travel plans was heartbreaking, but at least I had it all planned out. I plan to pick that trip back up later this year.

While we’ve been in quarantine now for over a month, with restrictions still in place, I am finally starting to plan our travels again. 

I love looking at scenic destinations, yummy foods, and discovering new and hidden gems that we can see someday in person. And while I may enjoy planning travel more than others, I do think it provides a necessary escape from staying at home. This is why I encourage everyone to start planning your future travels. 

Using a Travel Agent

Whether you love the travel planning or not, get in touch with your travel agent. They can give you ideas of what’s open when, where to go, what to see, and more. Also, they want to hear your ideas. What do you want to do and see? Your travel agent is so much more than the person you call to book a trip. They are there to be your partner in this journey.

Vision Board

After I have spoken to my travel agent, I start working on a vision board with my family. We create a vision board that could be for one location and include all the sights and activities we want to see and do. Or we might have a vision board that’s more general, filled with images of beaches and tiki drinks. 

Start Local

For the near future, I’m starting my travel planning by keeping it local. That could be a day out visiting my favorite sights and restaurants. Then I will expand it to a 2-5 hour drive for a long weekend, maybe at the beach. Right now I may not have dates for these local trips, but I do have some destinations I’m ready to visit. Just planning it is keeping me hopeful.

Instagram & Pinterest

Just about every travel blogger and travel planner on Instagram is posting ideas for when we can travel again.  We’re not canceling but postponing our vacations, and reminiscing of where we’ve been. I love using Instagram for more inspiration for both my vision board and travel plans.

And if you’re not on Pinterest, sign up! That is a planner’s dream. Think of it like a bulletin board where you can save all these amazing vacations and ideas for where you will travel next. Feel free to share those boards with your travel agent and they can give you some advice on what works with your board. 

Plan Long Term

Planning for travel in the long term is where I’m really diving deep into my plans. And while I think we’ll do a lot more road trips and short distance travel by the end of this year, I think 2021 will bring some epic travel for our family. This is where I’m breaking out spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, vision boards, maps, the whole nine yards. Of course, that is the travel planning geek that I am. 

You don’t have to do much. Especially not on my level if that’s not who you are. But I think planning for what type of travel we’ll do in the future is what’s helping us get through the present. 

Need inspiration? Get started by looking at these land vacations here. 

Can we assist you with your planning? Please contact us and we would be delighted to help.

Purple Light Vacations provides you with the knowledge, insight and personalized service to make your vacation all you want it to be at no additional cost. We help you travel in the know wherever you go. To get started, fill out this quick form or call 619.324.1444 (ext. 3).