How I plan for our trips
There are five straightforward steps that I follow when planning any trip whether it’s a short getaway or a journey halfway around the world. I’ve used this approach successfully for over a decade. With thoughtful planning, you can make the most of your hard-earned money and create a more rewarding travel experience.
Where are you going to stay?
Now that you’ve chosen your destination city, it’s time to find the right place to stay ideally in or near the city center.
Staying in the heart of the city offers several advantages. In most European cities, the city center is where you’ll find major historical landmarks, cultural attractions, local events, and some of the best shopping and dining. However, be aware that hotels in these prime locations often come at a premium, as you're paying for the convenience cha-ching!
When searching for accommodations, also pay close attention to proximity to public transportation, such as Metro stations, light rail, or trams. Avoid renting a car if you can, it’s costly, parking is limited, and city traffic can be difficult to navigate.
One great tip is to use Google Maps:
Type in the city name
Turn on filters for hotels and transit
This will allow you to see hotel options along with nearby public transit stops.
I usually search within about a one-mile radius from the city center. Hotels tend to be more affordable just outside the core, and you may find larger rooms or added amenities like pools or rooftop bars. As I review options, I write down five potential hotels that are well-located and offer easy access to public transportation. The most important thing to do before choosing the hotel is to read the reviews from real people who stayed at the place you are planning on spending your money, this helps a lot because I read a lot of good and bad reviews and look at images and make a call as to hotels I choose to be on the final list before I finally book something. So read the reviews because that helps.
Once you’ve identified five solid choices for your city, visit your favorite booking platforms like Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com or your credit card travel portal (especially if you’re using points). Also, don’t forget to check the hotel’s official website, as they sometimes offer better rates or perks for booking direct.
Make notes on each hotel’s: Room size, Price, Location, and hotel Amenities.
Then compare them to decide which fits your needs best for your stay.
Repeat this process for every city on your itinerary but hold off on booking for now. We'll need to coordinate your accommodation with airfare next to make sure everything aligns smoothly.
When are you going?
Setting firm dates for your trip is important, but maintaining flexibility during this stage is equally essential. If you're traveling for a specific occasion such as a wedding or family event your schedule will naturally be more fixed. However, if you’re planning a vacation, begin by identifying the general timeframe you’d like to travel.
For us, we like to take one trip in the spring before all the tourists show up, so we go at the beginning of May as a Spring trip since it is a lot cheaper for airfare and hotels. The same goes for Winter trips, traveling during the holidays allows us to save a lot of money but more than that, we get to spend quality time together and experience Christmas in a different country all throughout Europe each year. Enjoying all the decorated city streets, the food at the Christmas markets, and everyone is in the happy holiday spirit of kindness. Plus, not having to buy presents and to deal with family is the best gift you can give yourself. LOL
Oh!! Avoid requesting time off from work just yet. First, consider factors such as flight availability, pricing, and overall itinerary flexibility. Airfare and accommodation costs can vary significantly depending on the day and time of travel, and being flexible could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Note: Planning travel within your country book your travel at minimum of 2 months and for international travel 4 to 5 months in advance.
Okay, where do you want to go?
Now for the exciting part choosing your destination. Once you’ve settled on your travel dates, it’s time to decide where you want to go. If this is your first time traveling internationally or stepping outside your comfort zone, it’s essential to do some research on your chosen country.
Start by asking the right questions:
What is the current state of the country you’re visiting?
Is it politically stable?
Are there any safety concerns, especially for solo travelers?
Safety should always be a priority. While you can't predict the future, it's wise to stay informed about ongoing developments in your destination, especially as your departure date approaches. I have recently experienced this as a flash flood hot Valencia Spain 3 weeks before we were to arrive. Flooding in Venice Italy 2 weeks before and a shooting and a bombing in Paris 30 days before we were going to go. It can be scary but it is important to stay informed after all you are spending a lot of money on this trip, so you want to enjoy it.
If this is your first time abroad, consider visiting a country where your native language is spoken. It will make communication easier and reduce potential stress. Admittedly, I’ve been guilty of trying to learn German, French, and Italian on the plane ride over, spoiler alert: it doesn’t work well! I’ve since learned to prepare a few weeks in advance, focusing on simple phrases like greetings, farewells, and essentials like, “Where is the restroom?”
In my experience, any attempt to speak the local language is met with genuine appreciation. Locals don’t expect perfection; they value the effort. It’s also a fun way to feel more connected to the culture. That said, while many people around the world speak at least some English, be prepared for situations where they don’t. Some individuals may be shy about using a language they’re not confident in, while others may prefer to speak only in their native tongue and that’s something we must respect. (Yes, French friends, I’m looking at you!)
Let’s say you choose a country like Germany.
Take time to look at a map and identify the cities you want to visit. Make informed decisions about how long you’ll stay in each location. For example, if you’re spending 10 days to 2 weeks in Germany, start with a larger city like Berlin for about five days to take in the museums, history, food, and culture. Then, hop on a train to a smaller city like Hamburg a personal favorite and spend three to four days exploring a different region.
Each city has its own unique character, architecture, history, and food so traveling within the country gives you a richer, more well-rounded experience.
Setting your budget.
While I can’t tell you exactly how much to spend on your trip, one thing is certain if you’re traveling internationally, you need to be financially prepared for anything and everything.
This could be the trip of a lifetime, so treat yourself kindly and aim to make it as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Don’t let worries over expenses take away from the experience. Yes, travel costs can add up whether it’s meals, shopping, or sightseeing but with smart planning, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
For example, if you're comfortable flying economy for that 8- to 11-hour overseas flight (depending on your destination), you can save significantly on airfare. That savings can then be redirected toward upgrading your hotel stay, enjoying more local experiences, or my personal favorite doing a little shopping in the local markets.
The key is balance. Don’t be too frugal, but don’t go overboard either. Set a budget for major expenses like airfare and accommodations and leave room for fun and spontaneity. Also, always have some local currency on hand that you get from your banks before you leave on your trip. While credit cards are widely accepted, especially those with no foreign transaction fees (which I highly recommend), there are still places like small cafes or markets or even street stands where cash is necessary.
With the right mindset and preparation, you can make the most of every dollar while truly enjoying your adventure
Now it's time to fly!
You can use websites like Expedia or Google Flights to select and monitor flights for a few weeks to see if prices drop. However, I personally don’t recommend waiting for a small savings of $50 to $100 it’s often not worth the time or hassle.
If you have a preferred airline, feel free to use your loyalty points to book your flight. That said, be aware that airline websites such as American Airlines often use browser cookies to track your visits. Even if you don't log in, your browsing history may be recorded, and prices can increase when you return to the site. This tactic creates a sense of urgency with messages like “Only 2 seats left book now!” To avoid this, always search for flights using your browser’s incognito or private browsing mode. This helps ensure you see consistent pricing without artificial price hikes.
This pricing strategy is a well-known trick and yes, it’s real. I’ve panic-booked before and ended up paying far more than necessary. We typically monitor fares over the course of a week, checking two to three times a day, until we find a good option. Sometimes this means booking a nonstop flight directly to our destination, but other times it involves flying into a major hub and connecting to an international flight. Just be sure all your flights are on the same airline, so your luggage is checked all the way through to your final destination.
Important Tip: Avoid booking separate tickets with different airlines just to save a few dollars. Doing so requires you to claim your baggage after the first flight, transfer to the international terminal, check in again, and go back through security. We made that mistake once and, due to a delay from British Airways, missed our connection to Germany entirely.
Also, consider flying midweek Tuesday through Thursday as flights are typically less expensive than those departing on Fridays through Sundays. Flexibility is key: being open to different dates and times can significantly reduce your fare. Airlines often release lower fares up to four months in advance for international flights, especially if demand is low. Watch for “cheap fare” promotions some airlines offer round-trip international flights from major hubs like New York to Europe for as low as $500–$600 (basic economy, no extras). In those cases, your best bet is to book a domestic flight to that hub and depart internationally from there.
You've Found the Perfect Flight—Now It’s Time to Book!
Once you’ve confirmed all the details—departure time, layovers, and arrival at your final destination it’s time to finalize your booking and complete the payment.
Here are a few important considerations before you hit “purchase”:
1. Travel Insurance
Consider whether you need trip insurance. If your credit card already provides coverage, you may be able to skip this step. However, for major international trips, purchasing travel insurance is often a smart investment. In the event of unexpected issues like illness or emergencies, insurance can help you recover the cost of your trip.
2. Verify Flight Details
Before you finalize the payment, double-check your flight numbers, dates, and times. Making changes after booking can be time-consuming airline customer service lines often have long wait times, sometimes up to two hours.
3. Seat Selection
Comfort matters especially on long-haul flights that can last up to 15 hours. Be strategic with your seat selection. On larger aircraft with a 3-4-3 configuration (three seats on either side and four in the center), the rear of the plane sometimes narrows to a 2-seat configuration in the last few rows. These seats can be a hidden gem for couples or solo travelers who want a bit more privacy and space. We've found these to be especially enjoyable when no one else is seated next to us!
4. 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
After booking, most airlines offer a 24-hour grace period in which you can cancel for a full refund. Use this window wisely if you need to make changes but keep in mind that you’ll need to search for and rebook the flight again from scratch.
