I AM a bit obsessive about travelling, most especially when I travel alone. You can say that I do my “homework” whenever a trip is coming up.
I try to research as much as I can about the place and just about everything else that I think will contribute to a less stressful trip. I pretty much do my good flight fare hunting and then build my itinerary from the ground up.
Most of the time, my jump off point is Manila. It’s just easier to start there because most flights start there anyway. When I have booked my trips and chosen my destination, I start working on my trip. I search for a hotel.
Prior to that, I set a budget for my hotel first. I go through the major travel sites and painstakingly read through numerous hotels that fit my criteria.
On my first solo trip, I decided to go to Boracay. For my hotel, I had three criteria. First, I wanted a good room with a good queen bed, a comfy, modern bathroom, and cool airconditioning. I need it to be near restaurants and the ATMs. Lastly, I need it to be beachfront for my established budget.
I found it! But not to get too excited, I emailed them, asking a few questions. And I read reviews about the place. And looked up pictures. And used google maps to find them by using satellite photos. Things that you need to know before you head off to a new place should definitely include airport transfers. They can be lifesavers. My hotel arranged transfers and so that was a definite plus.
Try to check the weather too. Of late, monthly weather forecasts are already available. No harm giving it a peek. When I went to Boracay last July, forecasts pointed to rainy weather. Uh oh. So I checked again.
Searched for travel bloggers who actually travelled on the month I was going and asked them about my concerns! It helps! Their insight is valuable because they already have firsthand experience. Yes I still brought my raincoat and opted for waterproof luggage, but the most important thing is that I did not cancel my trip, thanks to the travel bloggers who convinced me that the rain in Boracay never lasts for more than two hours and that the water was great that time of year. Walang lumot. And he was right! The waters were so clear and algae-free that the boats looked like they were floating on air, not water!
It must have been birthday luck then too, because when I got to my beachfront hotel, I was upgraded to a beachfront suite with a balcony overlooking white beach! I could say that my vacation went without a hitch because I prepared for it!
