For many the summer means traveling season, and for that group this time of year is travel-planning season. There are so many things to consider with the world at your fingertips, but the biggest question is inevitably, “Where should I go?”

The destination you choose eventually comes down to many factors. Here are five things to consider while narrowing down where in the world you’ll be kicking up your feet during the summer months.

Where should you go next?

1) Your Travel Budget

One of the first things you’ll want to do is to determine your travel budget, and that takes place in two parts.

First, you need to figure out how much money you have to spend on the trip. Come up with one number, but remember that it will need to cover everything including airfare, lodging, food, and any other activities you might want to take part in.

The second part of budget planning comes when you’ve actually selected your destination. Some far-off locations may cost more to get to, but expenses could be minimal once you’re actually there. On the other end, the cost of airfare to a much closer destination might be low, but you could end up spending more on things such as food or tourist attractions.

Where should you go next?

2) Your Lodging Preference

These days there are three main options when it comes to travel lodging—Hotels, hostels and online hospitality services such as Airbnb. The tricky bit is deciding which of the three is best for you.

If you don’t plan on spending much time in your room, a hostel can be a good option. This often involves shared sleeping spaced and bathrooms, so if that doesn’t work for you, then move on to another option.

Hotels are more expensive, but they have the big advantage of privacy. Also, it can be easier to find a hotel in the area of the city you’d like to explore.

An Airbnb-style option is probably best if you’d like to set up a home base and take care of your own cooking rather than eating out the whole time. Availability varies by city, however, so be sure to take that into account.

Where should you go next?

3) Your Travel Purpose

Another thing that plays a huge role in your decision is what you want to do when you actually get to your destination. One popular debate for vacations is city versus beach. Do you prefer to check out a city and all of the culture that comes along with it? Or is this vacation more about relaxation, preferably on the beach?

Other factors come into play as well. You may want to see historical sites such as monuments or pyramids. You may want a more active vacation focused on hiking or mountain biking. Or you may want to spend more time with outdoor activities such as boating or fishing.

Deciding what you want to do while away will help narrow your list of possible destinations.

Where should you go next?

4) Your People Tolerance

It makes sense, but many travel destinations are busier during the summer. If you don’t have a problem with things such as large crowds and long lines, you may want to visit one of the most popular summer destinations. But if crowds make you anxious or generally irritable, you may opt for something more off the beaten path.

Some destinations such as New York, London or Paris will always be filled with both tourists and locals, of course. However, there are times of year when travel traffic will be up or down, depending on factors such as city and season, so you may want to include this in your decision-making process.

Where should you go next?

5) Your Travel Party

Another big factor in where you decide to go this summer is with whom you’ll be traveling. If you’re going solo, the choice is all yours, obviously. If not, whether you’re traveling with family or friends could play a role in where you choose to go.

If you’re traveling with the family, you’ll of course want a destination that features more family friendly activities. That’s especially the case if there are any kids involved.

On the other hand, if you’re traveling with friends it opens up other options, including cities that are great for sightseeing or nightlife.

Where should you go next?

There is no one perfect summer vacation. Of 10 potential destinations, you could very well have the vacation of a lifetime in all 10.

Still, considering factors such as your budget, your lodging preferences and who you’ll be going with can help refine your choice and make for a much more memorable summer travel experience.


This is a guest post by Kacey May.

Where should you go next?Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her inspiring posts. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

5 Things to Consider When you Choose your Next Destination

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