Determine the type of trip

A travel agent describes the essential questions you should answer before embarking on a trip. "It sometimes happens," he says, "customers come to see me at my agency, saying only that they'd like to go somewhere... Without spending too much time and energy, there are some details that need to be specified. First and foremost, I ask three questions: Where? When? How?"

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?

Most important is that you figure out which part of the world you want to go to: Europe? Asia? North America? South America? Africa?

Would you like to visit one country, or several? If so which?

WHEN CAN YOU TAKE THIS TRIP?

If it's your work or your employer who decide holiday periods, you don't have much choice, and you need to adapt your trip to these dates. If however you don't have these limits, then it's up to you to decide, according to your own needs. There may be however other external things that need to be considered, such as temperature or the climate in the country you'll be visiting. For example, it may be better to avoid going to India in August when the heat is really intense, if at all possible.

WHAT WILL YOUR TRIP BE LIKE?

Here, you should decide on the nature of trip you'd like. This may decision will depend on you're expectations from the trip. First of all you need to ask: "What do I want from a trip?" Discover an unknown country and its inhabitants? Get to know another culture? Meet people? Make some new friends among my travelling companions? Get some relaxation? Play some sports? Do something really thrilling? Pursue a passion, etc.? By answering these questions, the nature of the trip you want should be revealed. 

All the trip types listed below can be organized by group operators or agencies, or you can do it yourself using the Web.

Business trips.  

You need to be in a specific place on a given date? Then just select the travel method that meets to your requirements (speed, comfort, connections, price, etc.), transfers and lodging.

Visiting a specific location (island, beach, mountain, etc.)  

You want to spend X number of weeks just resting, relaxing – no other specific goals except to enjoy some sun and freedom. Others may be going along at the same time or you'll be totally on your own.

Group travel.

You'd like to go visit a country but you don't want to be alone. There are a great number of agencies and tour operators providing a variety of destinations, at a wide range of prices. On this type of trip with other people, everything will be planned, reserved, and organized in advance.

Individual discovery travel.

You'd like to go and visit a country and be completely on your own. Everything can be planned before leaving or a good part can be left up to you, just rely on our impulses.

Sport travel.

You may be passionate about golf. You've got a desire to try out the greens in South Africa. Why not? Your dream is to go deep-sea diving off the Great Barrier Reef. Why not? You can choose whatever you want.

Adventure travel.

Adventure travel opens up lots of possibilities. Go and take photos in Nepal, a safari in Africa, meet some forgotten tribe in the Amazon, go on a cruise while following the trail set out by Amundsen's, cross Libyan accompanied by the Touaregs. You could take an introductory tour of the fauna and flora with the Australia aborigines in the land of Arnhem, go and visit a Bodegei Camp, at "top end," the ends of the Earth, or just stay on a kibbutz in Israel and pick fruit, etc. Today, adventure travel is affordable for everyone, including challenging sports, passions for culture, or just a change of scenery. On an adventure trip you can do things you never thought possible, so why not?

Cruises.

Sail from one port to another, get off and visit really exotic places, have some intensive fun for one or two weeks. Anyone can go on a cruise these days, there's a price range for everyone. Cruises are no longer just for the idle classes and the rich.

Other types of travel.

Depending on your interests, there are all types of trips you can take. It could be a religious pilgrimage, a get together with members of your family, genealogical research, cooking classes in Provence or just a remake of your honeymoon. Depending on your interests, there are all types of trips you can take. It could be a religious pilgrimage, a get together with members of your family, genealogical research, cooking classes in Provence or just a remake of your honeymoon.

     

Now that you've decided on the type of trip or vacation best suited to you, you're ready to do carry out a thorough search and reveal more about the type of the trip you could take. Gather information