Everyone reached out this year asking about travel deals. While there were many insane deals to be had last year, everyone and their mother has been cooped up, just like you, and couldn’t wait to go somewhere! With the expansion of vaccinations and lifting of restrictions, “deals” were harder to come by this year.
I actually started working on a blog like this prior to the pandemic. It’s just as relevant now, if not more so. Covid 19 vaccinations rates, infection rates, and restrictions are now additional factors that must be considered when picking your next vacation destination. There may be a deal to a destination but make sure you don’t need to quarantine to take advantage of that deal!
When planning your next vacation, you always have to take into consideration whether the price or the destination is most important. Clients will call and say, “Can you find me a deal for Rome for the 2nd week of July?” That depends on what you mean by a deal. If you have no flexibility in your dates and request a very popular destination during it’s peak travel season, finding something “cheap” is going to be hard. Let me clarify… finding something 5 star and cheap will be hard (which is often what people are looking for). That’s not to say I can’t get you extra perks for the same as the published rate. However, the published rate is still going to be high.
If you have a specific destination you want to go to, think about why you want to go there. Do you have to go during peak season or could shoulder season work? Traveling off peak is a great way to save but not if you’ll miss the main reason you want to visit a destination. The Greek Islands do not have summer weather year round and many people seem surprised to learn this. Is there a specific property you want to stay at but it’s out of your budget? I can keep an eye out for specials. Plus, you can save for the experience you want while we plan a trip at a later date. I have clients saving for a Safari 2-3 years out for both availability and cost. Of course, we’re still planning other trips in the meantime!
After the past 2 years, I’ve gained a greater perspective about what I want and I bet you have too. What’s your bucket-list trip? Think about why that is and make sure your plan captures that. We will always keep our eyes open for a last minute beach vacation or cruise deal. But if you prefer laidback and quiet retreats, don’t grab the cheap fare to a party resort! If you save money but don’t enjoy the experience, what’s the point? Don’t just look for the least expensive option. Look for the best value for YOU!