Decide whether you prefer warm or cold climate. This fundamental decision will narrow down the destinations, thus saving you time in cutting down the brochures.



Decide on the method of transportation. For many flying is the quickest and the cheapest. However, in doing so you'll only see the inside of the airports and your aircraft, until you reach your destination.

If you like to make frequent stops to enjoy the scenery, consider driving, or canal travel. This becomes less stressful if there is another person that can share the driving with you.

If you are traveling with children, you'll need to consider children 'friendly' destinations. Remember, once you get there, unless there are plenty of activities for children, they'll soon get bored. You cannot go wrong with destinations such as Disneyland.

Consider whether you want to visit a city or the countryside. If you like open spaces and fields, for example, you'd not want to go to New York!

Food is another important issue to consider. If your culinary tastes does not include foreign foods, you'll probably will not want to travel abroad. However, in some countries such as the United States, no such problems exist, because virtually all tastes are catered for.

Language is another important issue worth considering. In some countries, once you get away from the main cities, not everyone is able to speak English. Do you speak their language, or are you able to make yourself understood in most circumstances?

Many immediate problems in non- English speaking countries can quickly be solved if you have a phrase- book handy. In any event, you'll be better appreciated if you attempt to speak their language- however badly that may be!

Decide on the kind of activities that you like. For example, perhaps all you want to do is to lay at the side of the pool or to enjoy the sun at the beech. Then the size of the town in question is not important. On the other hand, if you enjoy touring, you'll not want to visit a small island which can be crossed in a short time.

Keep an ear open for recommendations. People who have been to certain destinations would have first- hand experience, and can tell you a lot more than travel brochures ever can.

The above will help you to come to a decision more quickly, and in a logical order. This means you'll have less to worry over, and more time to pack.