8 Common Travel Planning Mistakes
Planning travel is clearly one of our favorite things to do, but for many travelers, this can be a headache.
Which is why we recommend working with a travel advisor to make this process a lot easier. Not only will you have someone to do all of the trip research, bookings, and managing details, but you will also have a trusted expert that can help you avoid the mistakes many travelers make.
Not Planning Far Enough in Advance
Don't let the allure of spontaneity turn into last-minute chaos. Plan ahead to secure the best accommodations, flights, and experiences. Early birds catch the finest travel opportunities. Depending on the type of trip or destination, you may want to build in even more time than you think.
Ignoring the Weather
Nothing dampens a trip like unexpected weather. Research the climate of your destination during your travel dates and pack accordingly. If you’re opting for shoulder season or off-peak travel, you may have to put up with less than ideal weather conditions so prepare accordingly!
Overlooking Passport and Visa Requirements
Ensure your passport is up-to-date and research visa requirements well in advance. Delays in obtaining travel documents can lead to missed opportunities. And if you skip out on insurance (read on below), you will be in an even worse situation…
Unrealistic Itineraries / Doing too Much
While ambition is admirable, a packed itinerary can lead to burnout. Leave room for spontaneity and downtime to savor the unexpected delights your destination has to offer. Don’t try to do everything and don’t assume all of your travel companions want to do the same. Consider free time for everyone to do their own thing and build in rest and flexibility.
Neglecting Health Precautions
Prioritize your well-being by checking vaccination requirements and researching health precautions. A small investment in health safeguards can prevent major disruptions to your journey.
Blindly Trusting Online Reviews (or your friends)
We’ve all been there. We ask for recommendations from friends, family or coworkers and gather info online to plan our trip. While online reviews can be helpful, they are not the same as having a trusted advisor who can vet the property or destination (or have other resources to do this vetting on their behalf). As for recos from others, they can be helpful but remember that everyone’s tastes and travel preferences differ. What was an incredible and amazing hotel for your coworker might not be something you will like. When you work with us (and our extended partner network), we can help guide you to the right destinations, accommodations, and experiences that are a good fit for you and your travel goals.
Disregarding Travel Insurance
Don't underestimate the importance of travel insurance. Protect yourself against unexpected events, cancellations, and emergencies. It's a small investment that can save you from significant financial strain. Delayed passports, health issues, or last minute disruptions can wreak havoc on your trip (and your travel investment) - so make sure to give insurance some thought when planning your trip. We always recommend that our travelers purchase insurance and have preferred partners that you can work with.
Not Working with a Travel Advisor
How else can you avoid these mistakes and benefit from the exclusive perks, unique access and connections that we have in the travel industry? Working with a travel advisor does not guarantee that you won’t make these mistakes (as hard as we try to help you avoid them!), but you will have a trusted resource on your side if anything goes wrong or to provide guidance in an uncertain situation.