6 Things to Consider Before Your Next Adventure

It could be something as simple as a picture that inspires you to plan your next adventure. You see the towering redwood trees, can practically smell the crisp mountain air, imagine the feel of adrenaline pumping through your veins when you reach the peak. Adventure can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s jumping off the world’s tallest bridge. For others, it’s exploring a foreign country. No matter which adventure you choose, adventure is out there, and with the right travel plan your next vacation can be just as epic as you envision. While no travel plan is perfect and free of hiccups, these six considerations can turn your next big adventure into one you’ll remember for years to come.

Your Companion/s

Who you choose to bring on your adventure will greatly impact your overall experience. This will be the person you sit next to for hours on a plane, who you spend multiple days in a row with, who you wake up next to each morning. Picking your adventure companion should be strategic. You may have many friends but not every friend is going to be the right adventure companion.

For example, you may be the type of person who likes to go with the flow and see what happens when you get there. Your friend on the other hand may be an avid planner who wants every detail nailed down before takeoff. Take into consideration the person you are wanting to accompany you on this trip. Perhaps you want someone who can help you plan the nitty gritty. Maybe you want someone who goes with the flow. Consider who is going to be the best fit for the adventure you have planned.

Type of Adventure

As aforementioned, there are many different types of adventures. You may have a bucket list you’re working on tackling that features many different adventures. However, the adventure you choose will affect where you travel to and when you travel. Interested in climbing to the top of mountain? You won’t find this in the city of Amsterdam.

Once you have the type of adventure you want to do nailed down it is important to then determine where you can accomplish this activity. This requires research: deciding where to go, how to get there, where to stay, how long you will stay, and what you’ll do for transportation. It may also be helpful to check out an adventure/travel blog to see the experiences of other travelers and learn what you should do and what you can avoid. Tripadvisor is also a great resource to find things to do in that area and see the comments of others who have first-hand experience.

Budget

Like most things in life, adventures come at a price. Some adventures will cost you more than others. Some may require you to fly to another part of the world. Others may require a hefty fee to participate. No matter what adventure you choose, make sure it is reasonable for your budget before booking your trip. Consider how long you will need to spend taking in this adventure and costs associated with it. Some of these costs to consider may include:

Passport
Plane tickets
Transportation once you arrive
Transportation to/from the airport
Lodging
Meals
Clothes/gear
Adventure fee (if applicable)
Missed pay from work (if applicable)
Currency exchange

Cutting Costs

Many people are interested in how to save money when travelling. You’ve spent months saving, allocating a portion of each of your paychecks for your upcoming trip. Now that the time has come to book your trip, it’s important to determine how you can avoid breaking the bank. Some things you can do to save money while you travel include:

Hotel : Staying at a hotel can feel luxurious. Having your bed made for you daily, room-service at your fingertips, and soft, plush pillows to sleep on each night is almost a dream come true. However, a hotel may not be the most economical option. If you are opposed to sleeping in a hostel, perhaps look into Airbnb accommodations. With Airbnb , you may not only save on nightly costs, but will also have a kitchen for cooking food as opposed to eating every meal out.
Food : Eating every meal out can add up quickly. Avoid racking up your food costs by picking hotels that offer breakfast as part of their package. Or, if you are renting out a room or a home through Airbnb take a trip to the grocery store when you arrive to save big on food costs.
Transportation : Rental car prices can add up quickly. When you consider the cost for gas, insurance coverage, and the daily charge for the car itself, it can quickly add up to the cost of a hotel. Instead of renting a car, consider using public transportation to get around. Many big cities and countries have terrific forms of public transportation to allow for ease of getting around. Buses, trains, and Uber rides may also be more economical than renting a car.

Medical

Some countries require certain immunizations before you can enter. While planning your trip be sure to look into not only what documentation you’ll need to ensure entry into the country but also what immunizations are necessary. Ensure you are up to date on all your routine vaccinations as well as travel vaccinations.

It is also essential to talk to your health care professional when you are planning international travel, especially if you have any existing health conditions. This is especially important if you have medical prescriptions that are taken daily to ensure you have enough stocked up for your trip. Make an appointment with your health care provider at least 4-6 weeks before any international travel. This will allow you time to complete any vaccine series and gives your body time to build up an immunity.

Activity

Deep-sea scuba diving, climbing the tallest mountain in the country, and embarking on a polar snowshoe adventure all sound thrilling, but each of these adventures has risks associated with it. These risks are increased even more when it is something you haven’t done before. Before planning an epic activity, it is important to assess the difficulty level, the environment, the season, the weather conditions, the remoteness, and the activity itself.

Is this activity something you feel comfortable completing? Will you have a friend accompany you? Can you physically complete the activity? These are all questions to ask yourself before planning the activity, no matter how excited you are to complete it.

Additionally, you’ll want to consider the consequences. People fall off cliffs, get swept away by strong currents, and encounter surprise avalanches. They don’t expect these things to happen, but they most of the time are not aware of the environment they were in. You hear the stories in the news, and think I hope that never happens to me. Come even prepared and know exactly what you are up against. Not only will you feel more confident, you’ll have more fun.