Where the Heck Do You Go When You Want to Go Everywhere?

It's such a first-world problem. You have the intent and capacity to take a trip. So where to? Maybe you have a dream destination already in mind. If that's the case - congrats, you probably don't need to read any further. But maybe you're like me, so open to exploring just about anywhere that you're starting to think the only solution is to toss a dart at a world map and see where it lands.

Here are some questions to ask yourself that might help you make up your mind, along with some destination suggestions.

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1.) Does your budget matter?

Well sure, doesn't it always? Unless you recently won the lottery, how much you have to spend will always matter. But if you are on a tighter budget with not a lot of wiggle room, where you go will definitely be crucial. Popular destinations during peak tourist times means demand is high. You'll often see higher rates for hotels and airfare. Harder to venture places (ex. Maldives) or destinations far from your home base (like if Wisconsin me jetted off to Japan) will call for higher airfare (PSST - see my post HERE for tips on scoring airfare deals). Also consider that some cities are just more expensive in general. London and Paris, for example, are doable on a budget but are still pricier compared to other destinations. Shoestring Budget? Head to South America, maybe Columbia or Peru. You can catch round trip airfare for $400 or less and great accommodations for as low as $30/night are plenty.

Feeling Modest? Your initial airfare might be a little higher, but check out Thailand. You can find great deals in the northern regions and eat like a king off the street food. Direct flights to Ireland can also be inexpensive, so rent a car and drive all around!

Spendy? The world is your oyster.

2.) What do you want to do?

Visions of sandy beaches and a drink in your hand? Prague ain't for you. Looking for a true cultural immersion? It'll take more work if you opt for a touristy island. Think of what your ideal trip looks like. Consider if you want to stay busy with activities every day or if you'd rather soak up some R&R. Planning to party all night? Want to museum hop? Shop til you drop? All this will impact where you should go. While most cities are able to cater to a variety of travel tastes, some will be more appealing depending on your ideal trip.

Feel Like Doing Nothing? Sounds like a warm Caribbean beach is calling your name. Or try the Mediterranean or a wellness retreat. Nature Loving? A safari is always a good idea. Museums? Paris est très fantastique. Live for Nightlife? Try Mykonos or Ibiza. Total Culture Immersion? Try going to smaller cities. Poznan was more culturally immersive for us than Warsaw. Or you can hit up a country during a festival or celebration, like Carnival or Holi.

3.) Do you want to move around?

I could sit in Paris for a week every year and still find new things to do. My husband? Exact opposite. His ideal trip would be to spend a few days in different cities. If you are hoping to move around and really explore a country for a week or two, some places are better for that than others. Germany, France, the UK, Canada - all great destinations for moving around easily. Make sure you are building enough time into your itinerary to move around - it takes up more time and energy than many realize. Sometimes it's better to slow down and enjoy a few destinations rather than trying to cram them all into one trip.

4.) Who do you want to share your destination with?

My dad hates lines and crowds. He will put off grocery shopping for weeks just to avoid being around people and wasting time in the checkout lane. Over the top? Definitely. What does it mean? I'll never tell my dad to visit Oia, Santorini in summer. While it was one of the most beautiful places I have visited, I felt like a sardine with all the crowds. If you don't want to get lost in a sea of tourists, consider heading to popular destinations during off-seasons. If you want to be around locals and really submerged in a culture, opt for smaller cities that are off the beaten path. Check out where travel bloggers (the ones that can travel year-round, unlike me) are heading this year. They usually hit up destinations that are up-and-coming (or have yet to up and come). Maybe you love the idea of finding new friends on your trip - ones you could actually hang out with while traveling. In this case, consider traveling to areas that cater to travelers or offer guided tours. My husband and I stayed at a typical beach resort while in Saint Lucia and ended up taking a day trip with a family we met, as well as grabbing dinner with some other people we met at the resort. Looking for seclusion? Give an Airbnb a chance or consider renting your own island or villa. Want to visit someplace before it's cool (aka overrun with tourists)? My money is on Seychelles, Uzbekistan, and Jordan having a moment in 2019. Don't mind a crowd? Don't overlook popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast, Phuket, or Croatia.

5.) How adventurous are you?

Culture shock is a thing. Even my first trip abroad to London, a very easy city to travel in, threw me. Different languages, food, norms, rules - it's great to learn a new way of living and will broaden your horizons, but it can take some getting used to. If it's your first time abroad, and you aren't feeling risky enough to dive headfirst into a complete 180, consider bigger cities in most popular countries. While you should always make an effort to learn a few words or phrases in the native language, you'll have no problem speaking English in places like Amsterdam, Prague, and Berlin. If you equate this question to how "safe" a country is, I'll leave you with this thought. Every city has crime and areas that are unsafe. Yes, there are parts of the world you probably shouldn't travel to right now. But for the most part, if you're smart, you'll be perfectly safe in most places of the world. Most people I've encountered on my travels have been nothing other than hospitable, friendly, and excited to share their culture with me.

What kind of trips appeal to you? Are you more of a beach lover or a city dweller? Do you dream of visiting a top destination? Or is off the beaten path more your style?

Wondering where I'm hoping to go? Check out my current travel bucket list HERE.

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