Whether you’re going to be away for three days or three months, it is always a good idea to have a rough idea of what you want to see and do. Planning ahead not only gives you a broad idea of what your holiday is going to look like, but also let’s you to manage and budget the finance and scheduling aspects of your holiday.
Plan your must-dos well ahead – For activities that are a “must” (for example, visiting the Eiffel tower when in Paris), be sure to schedule that early on in your trip. That way you will have plenty of time savor and explore without any restraints due to time (you’ll find many popular landmarks such as Notre Dame in Paris will have long wait times – if you leave it to the last day to visit, you may run the risk of running out of time). Concrete plans regarding your must-dos should be made at home (whether that be in Vale or at your Ellenbrook property) – the rest of your holiday can afford a bit of flexibility. Also, leaving must-dos towards the end of the trip may leave you constrained by dwindling funds, which brings us to our next point….
Budgeting – Planning an itinerary is not only a good way to schedule all your activities for your holiday, but is also an excellent way to keep tabs on your budget and expenses. One handy tip to keep track of all your expenses is to use a spreadsheet – it’s not daunting as it seems and once you’ve plugged in all costs such as accommodation, food, fares, you’ll have a good idea what your total holiday will end up costing you at one glance. Using a spreadsheet also allows you to easily edit and change as you research your trip.
Organising the correct domestic flights/ferry rides/ trains - Having an itinerary means that you can book your transport beforehand and see exactly when you arrive and leave at various destinations, allowing you to plan beforehand for hotel overnight stays as well as letting you decide how to spend your days at the various locales. Another advantage of pre-planning your transport is that the earlier you purchase tickets, the more likely that it will end up costing you less than purchasing it on the day. Also planning ahead means researching the most effective modes of transport instead of just playing it by ear and wasting your precious time and money.
Porter Matthews is a Sydney residential real estate expert, specialising in existing homes and new homes in Vale. When he is not working, he is renovating his delightful Ellenbrook property.
