Travel Book Four-What You Need to Know about Where and When to Travel

Traveling is the greatest educator in the world. You can learn more about languages, history, culture, politics, and many other topics by traveling than by almost any other means. Although this book primarily covers the US travel market, it discusses destinations where both US and non-US citizens travel.

It is impossible to give every travel destination in the world, but my intent is to get you creatively thinking about various options. Where you travel is greatly determined on why you are travelling as discussed in Travel Book One-What You Need to Know to Have a Better Vacation and Travel Book Three-What You Need to Know about Why You Travel. It is also directly affected by:

• Life-style. Some destinations appeal to lovers of comfort while others to those who want to “rough it.”
• The length of your vacation. I think the number one determiner of where you travel is how much time you have for your trip. Most Americans take three-day weekend, seven-day, ten-day, and fourteen-day vacations. Longer than two weeks, unless the travelers are college age or retired, is not as common. Americans seem to feel seven to fourteen days are an average length of time for a trip and they can do an awful lot in that time.
• Time of year you have to travel. You will want to visit a destination, unless there are required reasons to do otherwise, when it is the best time to do the things you want to do.
• Desire. If you have always wanted to go somewhere, then go. You will never be truly happy until you have visited that destination. You may find it not what you expected, but at least you now know, can relax, and be content.
• Hobbies. Golfing in Scotland is a great excuse to travel to Scotland. Other hobbies also make great excuses to travel to various destinations.
• Family heritage. Actually visiting the sites where your ancestors originated makes an excellent vacation choice.
• Education. I often travel to see things I read or hear about because I get very excited to see if they really exist.
• Budget. Often your travel budget determines where you can go. If your vacation budget is a total of USD4,000.00 for two people, then Antarctica is out of the question because it can cost USD10,000.00 per person or more. If your desire to visit somewhere is strong and costs more than you currently can afford, consider taking a few close-by weekend trips throughout the year so you can save the amount needed for the holiday you have always dreamed of taking.
• Travel companions. Where you travel can be affected by those you are traveling with such as by yourself, with a friend, spouse, or family.

Traveling simply makes you a better person. Part of having a great vacation is deciding where you go – it can make all the difference to your vacation’s outcome.