How to start planning your travel?

How do I decide where to travel first?

Choosing your first travel destination is exciting! So, here is how to decide.

• Reflect on your preferences. Do you lean towards bustling cities or serene nature spots? Do you crave adventure or relaxation? I, for one, always need a bit of both, or else the trip feels somehow incomplete.

• Assess travel distance. A quick weekend getaway to a nearby state park differs greatly from a month-long backpacking trip across Southeast Asia. Also, jet lag is real.

• Factor in age and health. What's feasible now might not be in ten years. Or maybe it is. You never know.

• Align with your interests. Love history? Rome might beckon. A foodie? Explore the diverse cuisines of New Orleans. Is it just me or do you also think traveling is like eating, you never want to stop.

• Consider future goals. A trip to France could enhance your language skills if you want a career in Europe.

• Evaluate your timeline. Can you only spare a week or have a month? Short trips demand careful planning. Long trips demand endless possibilities.

• Establish your budget. Bali can be incredibly affordable. Iceland, less so. Money is not everything but sadly it is needed.

How do you travel as a beginner?

Okay, so travelling as a beginner? Ugh, flashbacks.

I still shudder thinking about my first solo trip. Rome, 2022. I thought I was so prepared. Nope.

My backpack? Huge. Like, hiking Mount Everest huge. Packing light? Total fail.

Picture this: Me, lugging a behemoth through the Termini station, sweat dripping, desperately searching for my hostel. mortifying.

What I should have done:

• Smaller bag, obviously. A carry-on only. No more.
• Capsule wardrobe. Black jeans, a few tees, done.
• Rolling, not backpacking. Backpacks are NOT chic in cities. Learn from my pain.

Research? Did some. More like skimmed travel blogs while procrastinating. Big mistake.

I ended up ordering pizza every night cause I was too scared to venture beyond my hostel. Embarrassing and delicious.

What to actually do:

• Scout local restaurantsbefore you arrive. Seriously.
• Learn basic phrases in the language. "Ciao!" goes a long way.
• Download offline maps. Data roaming is a killer.

Flexibility? I thought I was flexible. Until my train got cancelled and I had a mini-meltdown. My carefully planned itinerary? Gone.

Staying flexible? It means:

• Accepting things WILL go wrong. It's part of the adventure.
• Having backup plans. Hotel options, alternate routes, etc.
• Embracing the chaos. Seriously, just roll with it.

Making friends? I'm terrible at that. I’m more of an introvert so this was a struggle.

Tips for solo socializing:

• Stay in hostels. Instant community.
• Join walking tours. Easy way to meet people with similar interests.
• Smile. Sounds cheesy, but it works. Trust me.

Now i travel alot more often. My last trip was in the summer of 2023 to Paris. I packed my clothes using rolling techniques. I only brought a small backpack that can contain all my personal essential belongings. This time, i researched for days. I stayed at a beautiful and clean hotel, with a beautiful view. I went around and explored hidden gems around the city. Made new friends at a local bistro. I tried to speak french with broken accent that got me a few laughs. It was amazing. I have improved as a traveller over the past year.

So yeah, that's my beginner travel story. Learn from my mistakes, folks. You'll be fine. Probably. Good luck!

Which country is the best to go for vacation?

Italy, huh? It always comes back to Italy. Good for tourism, they say.

But what does that even mean, "good?" Like, picture perfect postcards? I remember Rome. It was too crowded. I get lost.

Spain... second best. Always a bridesmaid, never the bride, right? Always chasing.

France is third. Paris always seems so... far away now. So many memories there.

Greece. That light. It changes everything. It makes the sea seem like a new one. But it’s still just water.

• Italy: Overrated? Maybe. Nostalgia mostly. Nana used to make pasta, and she would mention "going back home one day."
• Spain: The music, oh the music... it stays with me. Even years later. I danced there once, until sunrise.
• France:Paris in the fall. I walked along the Seine. All alone. Watched the boats.
• Greece: The islands. Scattered like secrets across the Aegean. Each one a little different.
• Australia: Never been. Seems so vast. So empty. A little bit intimidating.
• New Zealand: Also haven't been. Somewhere at the end of the earth. A fresh start?
• Thailand: Too much for me, I think. Too loud. Too bright. I need quiet.
• Switzerland: Mountains. Lakes. Too perfect? I don’t know. It feels unreal.
• Best Countries Overall seems like a whole different thing. Italy is 15th. A shadow over my memories.
• I wonder if I’ll ever go back. Or anywhere.