Planning Your Travel Itinerary is a Step by Step Process

Planning a trip itinerary can at first be a fun thought. You can discuss with the group where you'll go, the fun times you'll have, the memories that can be made, and other positive reflections. But as the time gets nearer to begin preparing for everything that goes into pulling off a most successful trip, the stresses may start to build a little bit.

You certainly don't need to plan something "to death". Likewise, you don't want to be left scrambling to make arrangements for the trip at the last minute, arrangements that could have and should have been taken care of long before the day the trip commences. Bearing in mind that certain things should be taken care of right away while others can wait a bit is a somewhat comforting thought. The more that can be taken care of at the earliest possible time is generally a good rule of thumb, but it won't make or break a whole trip if something minor somehow goes wrong in planning or is just plain forgotten about until the trip gets underway. When planning a trip itinerary, try to do as many of the following as you deem important.

1 - Do exhaustive research into everything, and book reservations early

Check out the best deals on flights, accommodations, car rentals, attraction prices, and other areas of cost. Book the really important things as soon as you know when you're going to be traveling; namely flights, hotels/other accommodations, and rental cars (if you're going with this in mind). The earlier you book these deals, the better the availability that seats/rooms, etc. will be available. If better deals come along at a later date and you can change your reservations to suit the better deals, all the better. But at least have something in place while you plan for the rest of your trip.

2 - Write everything down

Keep running lists. They can include “To Do, To Bring, and so on” or just keep a master list of things you don't want to forget as the trip time gets closer. Put a hold on the mail and paper when? Do I let the neighbors know I'll be gone for x days, so they can watch the house for me? Little reminders to take care of little things along the way should make trip departure a quick, easy, neat and tidy experience.

3 - Check and double check you have all relevant paperwork needed

This can include personal IDs, contact numbers, confirmation numbers, and other relevant information all together in one safe place. For added security and ease of mind, perhaps a second copy of these relevant papers wouldn't be a bad idea.

4 - Have a good idea of activities to do

Once you've worked on the other things, you can fine-tune your trip plans by determining what you may do on what given day (this is actually the most enjoyable part of the planning process). This may be a good time to purchase tickets to attractions, make dining reservations, and all that good stuff. This may be especially important if you plan on visiting attractions or events during peak seasons and/or holiday season when anything and everything fun will sell out fast. After all, your odds of seeing that Rose Bowl game live in person on January 1 will be considerably better if ticket inquiries were made, say, six months in advance, rather than a day or two before game day (good luck getting into that game then!).

5 - Close up the house and go!

Make sure everything is turned off and doors are locked. Questions on whether all the above are taken care of appropriately can really bug somebody for the entire trip. Shut everything down together so that everyone's on the same page there, then get in the car and be off!