The world is bursting at the seams with incredible travel destinations! There are a number of bucket-list-worthy places to pick from.  If you’re biting at the bit for your next adventure, but can’t decide where to go, we’ve found a few ways to narrow it down. Plan your trip according to your personal interests – it’s a great way to zone in on that perfect destination.

Here are a few tips for choosing your next trip:

Weather

Did you know that the weather could have a direct effect on the price of your trip? Well, it can and it does! For example, during the peak (most popular) and low (least popular) times of travel, there is a season of travel known as shoulder season. What does this shoulder season offer? It offers milder climates, seasonal events, incredible sights and lower prices!

The temperatures can vary between the warmer temperatures of destinations like Egypt, Israel and South Africa. And then the cooler (note, definitely not cold) temperatures of Russia and Switzerland.  Shoulder season travel lets you explore the sights without the summer heat, tourist buzz and high prices of peak season. In short, it’s one of the most perfect times to travel!

Related: Take a look at the different times of the year to visit Europe.

Landscape & Nature

If one of the things you like most about travelling is enjoying the scenery of a new country, choose your destination according to landscape and nature. The United States of America, for instance, has a great variety of national parks and gorgeous open spaces like Monument Valley, where all those famous cowboy movies were filmed. Scotland, on the other hand, is all about the sweeping Highlands, moors and heather-clad mountains like Ben Nevis. Then, of course, there are exotic desert destinations like Israel and Jordan, where you can drink in the singular beauty of an arid landscape.

History & Culture

If you’re a history buff, planning a trip around your favourite historical sites is a great way to tailor a holiday that will tick all your boxes. UNESCO sites abound in destinations like Egypt, Russia, Spain and Denmark. All around the globe, there are iconic historical landmarks just waiting to be explored. Between Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle, the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, there is so much to see and discover. Not to mention the Sagrada Familia, the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Florence. The list is endless!

As for culture, cities like Vienna and Prague were pretty much founded on theatre. London and Paris also aren’t far behind. Wherever you turn, there are opportunities to see live plays, visit museums dedicated to the arts and indulge in cultural pursuits to your heart’s content.

Food & Wine

Foodies around the world often prefer to travel by taste bud, seeking out destinations that appeal to their palette. If this sounds like you, countries like Italy should be high on your list. After all, this is where both pizza and gelato originated, so you can’t go wrong! While gastronomy may not be the first thing you think of when you hear ‘Germany’, the country is actually renowned for its cuisine. Their annual Oktoberfest is as much a foodie event as it is about beer – think bratwurst, sauerkraut, warm pretzels and all things smoky and delicious. If fine dining is your thing, France should be your next port of call. This is pretty much where the notion of haute cuisine was invented. And don’t forget about Greece with its Mediterranean smorgasbord of plump olives, creamy feta cheeses, dolmades, tzatziki and spanakopita!

Films & TV

Another way to choose your destination is to follow in the footsteps of your favourite TV and movie stars. If you are a Game of Thrones fan, there are many locations in Ireland you can visit. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, is teeming with Harry Potter locations. Countries like South Africa have also played host to many blockbuster films like The Dark Tower, Tomb Raider, District 9, and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Not to mention Monaco, which has featured in quite a few James Bond films.

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These are just a few of the ways to plan your trip when you’re undecided on your destination. Choosing a theme as a guideline goes a long way to narrowing down your options! If you’re getting ready to plan your next adventure, take a look at our exciting and unforgettable guided coach tours or enjoy some bucket list fun and travel by train with Expat Explore.

Happy planning – we hope your next adventure leads to the journey of a lifetime!