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Travel Plans
InspireToWander
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A4. I'm a naturally organized person and do well under pressure, so stress is non-existent when planning travel. It's usually when I'm on the trip that I start to feel stressed if things aren't going right. #InspireToWander @inspiretowander
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Q4: Travel planning can be stressful. How do you keep the stress at bay and stay organized? #InspireToWander
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replying to @takemomalong @takemomalong @JustinLaurenXO Funny, so often I see deals to Europe from Toronto that I get so jealous of! #inspiretowander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A1: sometimes it comes down to how cold I am where I am at the time of decision-making. Therefore: “let’s go somewhere warm!” And, then: “how much is it to be there?” #InspireToWander
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replying to @JustinLaurenXO @JustinLaurenXO @canadapointsguy @inspiretowander Yeah I'm the same way, Lauren! Though I usually book my hotels almost immediately after a flight or within the next day or two so practically at the same time haha. #InspireToWander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A3: So so so far in advance. And we like to plan several trips in advance so we always have something to look forward to! #InspireToWander
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replying to @IBBtravel @IBBtravel @inspiretowander Yeah! With hotels and stuff I do it a few months ahead. And then with actual things to do, I might plan some things only days ahead of time, but I hate being stressed out about it. It's good to leave some things not planned though, too. #InspireToWander
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A4: Trying not to plan everything in a week when you have months to do it lol #InspireToWander
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Thats because, I always book both hotels and flights on points, and hotels are usually easier to get. Flights I will sometimes book the return first and wait for availability on outbound to open up. #InspireToWander https://t.co/N4CwOA8b0O
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replying to @JustinLaurenXO @JustinLaurenXO A3: anything from six months to less than a week. I once went to the UK from Canada with 3 days notice (OK so I'm British but 😉) #inspiretowander
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replying to @OffTrackTravel @OffTrackTravel @takemomalong @JustinLaurenXO Yeah it surprises me! I think in Australia there's a greater culture for travel which fuels the budget airlines. Travel is a priority for some here but not everyone. Plus winter can make it tricky as many head south for warmth or just stay home & hibernate haha #InspireToWander
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replying to @OffTrackTravel @OffTrackTravel @takemomalong True. there are good deals to be found! Like my $800 RT Auckland flights from Toronto! Just gotta search them out. #InspireToWander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A2: definitely where we are staying and how much we are paying to be there! Then, once we know that, we can look up where to EAT! #InspireToWander
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A4: I have a planner. I'm old school. I like to have things written down. Seeing it on paper is different from the computer. It makes it more real. Maybe that's just a trick of the mind, but it helps me stay more organized. #InspireToWander https://t.co/IPPtUX7ysa
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A4: Spreadsheets & not leaving things to the last minute. Also making sure I have time to relax before, during & after the trip so I don't become overwhelmed! #InspireToWander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A4: My husband and I share a Google Doc for each trip, so that we have all the information in one place! #inspiretowander
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RT @canadapointsguy: Thats because, I always book both hotels and flights on points, and hotels are usually easier to get. Flights I will…
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replying to @JustinLaurenXO @JustinLaurenXO @IBBtravel @inspiretowander Eugh, being stressed about travel is the worst. It can ruin the start of trips for me! #inspiretowander
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A4: For us, keeping good records & notes helps keep stress at bay - I love Google Docs for organizing itineraries/documents. I also find that chatting with travel friends & bloggers helps me feel at ease about a new place! #InspiretoWander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A3: I average around 4-8 months, starting in January. I like getting everything squared away as much as possible. #InspireToWander
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replying to @IBBtravel @IBBtravel What types of spreadsheets do you use? #InspireToWander
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replying to @OffTrackTravel @OffTrackTravel @JustinLaurenXO One trick I used once was booking the inbound flight as a one-time only and redeeming the outbound on loyalty miles. It was high season and crazily enough it worked out to be CHEAPER than me buying a round trip direct from the same airline. Thanks Toronto 😂 #InspireToWander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A4: I make a document and save it on Google Drive to access no matter where I am. If I'm mostly staying in 1 city, I'll plot everything out on Google maps (mostly with restaurants) if I'm wandering around and then want to know where all the #vegan food is :) #InspireToWander
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replying to @rebeccajuliet30 @rebeccajuliet30 @inspiretowander Having something to look forward to is a good idea! #inspiretowander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A3: this can vary wildly, but generally 6-8 weeks in advance. I’m in awe of those who do it 6-months prior! #InspireToWander
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replying to @OffTrackTravel @OffTrackTravel @JustinLaurenXO @inspiretowander I'm with you, Gemma! I find that when I start to get stressed I'll just bail on plans & do whatever I need to in order to settle my nerves, then make up for whatever I can with the time I have left. #InspireToWander
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replying to @JustinLaurenXO @JustinLaurenXO @OffTrackTravel @takemomalong Winning! Mine was just under $1200 to Sydney #InspireToWander
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replying to @Polymathically @Polymathically @inspiretowander That's how I'd like to be, and I wish that was always the reality! Then I get busy and it's like....ohhhh craaaap I gotta start booking things for this trip! #InspireToWander
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replying to @pint_pound_pate @pint_pound_pate @inspiretowander Great idea, that’s super organized. My husband just keeps everything on his email but a google doc would be excellent. #InspireToWander
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replying to @pint_pound_pate @pint_pound_pate @inspiretowander Google Doc. Great idea! #inspiretowander
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A4 #inspiretowander Planning doesn’t stress me out. It’s fun to see how cheap I can get something and think about how much you’re going to enjoy what you’re planning for.
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replying to @IBBtravel @IBBtravel @JustinLaurenXO @canadapointsguy @inspiretowander Me three! I find that there is usually wayyy more options with accommodation than flights! #inspiretowander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A4: Really? I've never thought it stressful. I just look at it like a big puzzle or equation. Distance, time, and money are the three variables; the solution is some balance among them. #InspireToWander
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replying to @IBBtravel @IBBtravel @OffTrackTravel @inspiretowander It's true. We've been stressed about things in the past and ended up changing our plans on the fly, and it is way better than making yourself stick with the original plans! #InspireToWander
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replying to @BShave78 @BShave78 I'll usually block out what I want to do in order of priority - must-dos, would-be-cools & the if-I-have-time points of interest. Also for hotels in case there isn't availability for the dates I want/need! #InspireToWander
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replying to @travelpantspair @travelpantspair @inspiretowander Hahaha this was totally me when deciding where to go at the end of October! Where are your fave warm places? #inspiretowander
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Q5: Is there anything you leave to chance rather than researching it ahead of time? #InspireToWander
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Q5: Is there anything you leave to chance rather than researching it ahead of time? #InspireToWander
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replying to @rebeccajuliet30 @rebeccajuliet30 @inspiretowander True! Although I usually wait longer because I want prices to drop (sometimes, I’m burned by this though....) #InspireToWander
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A5. Nope. I know not everything will go according to plan, but I'd rather be prepared than not. Especially for transportation and accommodation #InspireToWander @inspiretowander
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replying to @inspiretowander @inspiretowander A4 as long as I have the route done, everything is so much easier! For the route, I lay out the calendar, and with Google maps at hand, I try to choose the destinations. And also have @skyscanner_es open to check flights #InspireToWander
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Q5: Is there anything you leave to chance rather than researching it ahead of time? #InspireToWander
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replying to @MandyMPower @MandyMPower @JustinLaurenXO @takemomalong Toooooo relatable! #inspiretowander
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replying to @IBBtravel @IBBtravel I have started using the Google Trips app for Australia, works great! #InspireToWander