Beyond Our Back Gardens - Plan Your Bucket List Trip

As we begin to see the daffodils bloom, the blossom burst and hear the hum of the lawnmower again, travel is back in most peoples thoughts again. Since the beginning of March, I have seen a huge increase in enquiries and bookings for 2022 and 2023, not just for UK breaks or beach holidays this year for Winter sun-seekers, but for those who are looking to add more ticks to their Bucket List!

Most of the people who have been in touch have said to me that they need something to look forward to, now more than ever, and the phrase ‘life is too short’ has become commonplace in travel conversations again. The Maldives, trips to Lapland with the grandchildren, Alaskan Cruises and luxury rail holidays seem to be the most popular to be ticked off the list first.

With this in mind, I thought it may be helpful in my first article, to provide some guidance on planning that Bucket List trip which may have been on your mind for some time or that has appeared over the last 12 months following many hours of dreaming, endless TV travel programmes and lots of time reading (in between regular family ‘Zooms’!).

To me, Bucket List trips have 3 main categories; ‘Relax’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Experience’. Many holidays are a combination of all 3 of course but one does tend to dominate. Some choose to divide their Bucket List holiday into sections on a multi-centre type trip, with an active few days followed by a relaxing week somewhere different to ensure all boxes are ticked!

‘Relax’ Trips involve peace, space and tranquillity as their main ingredients. There are many places that specifically cater for this mix with designated areas in the hotel, cruise ship or resort for contemplation, guided relaxation sessions (yoga, massage or similar activities) or creative activities such as art or poetry classes. Many Bucket List holidays have an element of this but most tend not to focus on it completely. Most cruise and rail holidays can offer a more relaxing holiday pace as they provide the opportunity to go at your own pace and let the World pass you by! However, the Far East, Caribbean and Indian Ocean offer opportunities not just to sit on a beach with a book but many resorts in these areas are now specialising in relaxation techniques and spiritual experiences to appeal to those who are seeking complete tranquillity both inside and out!

Those who prefer to ‘Explore’ want a more active holiday with planned activities focussed around seeing new places and enjoying that buzz you get once you reach your destination. There are so many providers now that can cater for this on a very bespoke level and match the activities specifically to your needs and level of mobility too. Group tours with specialist guides can enrich each visit and ‘fill in the gaps’ that often remain on a self-guided wander around a historic site or a natural wonder. The Canadian Rocky Mountaineer or South African Safari and Wine tour are examples of such trips. Lots to see, do and learn about!

Finally, the ‘Experience’ type Bucket List trip often rates highly as this tends to involve getting ‘stuck in’ and really being involved with your chosen destination rather than just looking whilst taking a back seat. Visits to elephant and orangutan sanctuaries to feed, wash and watch these amazing animals are very popular, as are diving experiences in the Indian ocean or over the Great Barrier Reef. Road trips have also become a very popular ‘experience’ type Bucket List Holiday as this gives you the freedom to find and take part in events and local life with a much more flexible itinerary.

Planning is the Key!

This is really important to ensure you get exactly what you want. It helps draw up that all important ‘Wish List’ that I often refer to when speaking to my clients, ensuring that you get the most out of your trip and the best value for your money too!

Things to consider are:

1.       Duration – your destination will dictate this to some extent but you may also want to consider the flight times and remember to factor in some time to ‘adjust’ to the time difference or for some downtime between activities or tours. Budget will also impact on how long your trip is likely to be!

2.       When to Travel – things to consider here are school holidays when places will tend to be busier and more expensive, and a big factor will be seasonal weather patterns at your chosen destination. This is especially important if travelling to an area that has a hurricane or rainy season!

3.       Budget – Bucket List trips do not necessarily have to be expensive. For example, seeing the Northern Lights and volcanoes can be done relatively cheaply in Iceland. Longer trips further afield will obviously increase the price but something to consider is paying by Direct Debit and spreading the cost. Some of my clients have booked for 2023 and have opted for direct debit payments, spreading the cost over 24 months. Make sure that you also take into consideration any local taxes that need to be paid and transfers that are not included as these can sometimes be hidden costs from headline prices on holiday adverts!

4.       Seek professional help from an ABTA member who can offer a package covered by an ATOL certificate. Check them out on Trustpilot and research their credentials first! Beware of booking online for these sorts of trips as often you will not get exactly what you want and ‘compromise’ should not be a word that comes up when booking your Bucket List holiday!

5.       Travel Insurance – the last 12 months has shown how important it is to have the right policy in place as soon as you book rather than leaving it to the last minute and taking out the cheapest option offered via your own bank for example. Check the Covid cover and the pre-existing medical conditions that can be covered. Your travel insurance policy kicks in as soon as you book it so if you leave it until you travel, then should something happen beforehand, you make get caught short!

There is no doubt that planning your Bucket List trips takes time, but it is worth investing in the research element to ensure that you get exactly what you want and not have to ‘make do’! I hope this has given some useful advice for planning your next trip and subtract from your Bucket List rather than keep adding!

Ready to start planning?

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