Tips for choosing a holiday destination

Although the idea of strolling around a tropical island probably appeals to you, it's likely that the thought of actually planning the holiday and choosing a destination does not. With so much choice, it's not always easy to select the right place for your upcoming break. Here, we share a few tips on how to find the perfect holiday destination.

What's the purpose of the holiday?

The first thing to consider is what you want from your holiday - for some people, it's all about relaxation, in which case something like a traditional sun holiday or a yoga retreat in the Caribbean might be good options. You'll have plenty of time to rest, sunbathe and catch up on your reading and will come home feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. However, there are other people who are more interested in experiencing a completely different culture and meeting lots of new people, in which case something like a group trek around Thailand or Argentina could be the perfect choice.

Then there are those who want to make a difference, by going on a volunteering holiday. This is a great way to delve into another culture, whilst at the same time, have a positive impact on the lives of the people living in the local area. There are lots of different volunteer holidays available in Asia and South America - you can teach, work on a farm or even help build a school. In addition to deciding what you want from your holiday, you need to consider what you want to actually spend your time doing, on a day to day basis. For instance, do you want to visit lots of museums and other local attractions, or would you prefer to go on some hikes, or spend your time surfing at the beach? You might like the idea of visiting an inland town or city, for instance, but if you intend to surf and swim for most of the holiday, it makes more sense to choose a coastal location.

Budget

Of course, you also need to consider your budget. It's worth noting that if you choose a big city - like New York, Paris or Dubai, the cost of everything - from food to accommodation - will be more expensive than average. Remember, if you're having trouble finding something within your price range, you can find great summer holidays at Fly Search.

Try to decide on the amount of money you can spend during the holiday, before you start looking online at flights and hotels, as this way, you're less likely to book a holiday that you can't really afford. Take all of the little expenses that you are going to incur during your trip into account when you are coming up with your budget - things like extra drinks or snacks during the day, souvenirs or splurging on a meal at a fancy restaurant can really add up, particularly if your destination of choice is known for being quite expensive. If you are flexible in regards to your travel dates, CNN (AUTHORITY URL: http://money.cnn.com/gallery/pf/2013/07/02/travel-tips.moneymag/2.html) recommends keeping an eye out for last minute flights to your chosen destination, as these tend to be much cheaper.