On Planning a Big Trip

The moment my plane touched down on the tarmac, returning home after my first Europe trip, was precisely when I knew I wanted to return to the continent - sooner rather than later. A whirlwind tour of the main tourist attractions was the perfect taste test, leaving me hungry to return. Settling back into Perth life was bittersweet. It was amazing to see my family and friends I had been missing for two months, to share new stories with one another and to see things with a refreshing mindset. I also felt pure disappointment that my adventure had come to an end - and now I had new friends to miss, residing all over the world. I finished my final year of university, attended my graduation ceremony, and began my first full-time job. Although I find my job enjoyable and there are only a few days where I struggle to get out of bed, the voice in the back of my head was slowly becoming louder, urging me to travel.

So how did I turn my big dreams into reality? Let's face it - planning a big trip is daunting, especially if it is your first time. This is how I made spending four months in Europe possible...

Save your Money
I am frequently referred to as a "cheapo", "stinge", or a "miser"... I personally prefer the term "bargain hunter". Time and time again I have been asked how I can afford to spend four months gallivanting around European cities. It's simple really: priorities. I earn an average admin wage and work 40 hours a week. However, each week I put almost half of my earnings into my savings account. How?

• Buying full priced clothing is a rare occurrence - most of my purchases are heavily discounted and I don't wear designer/up-market labels.
• I don't waste money on nights out - a night out can easily turn into $100+ down the drain when you consider nightclub entry fees, a few drinks, and taxi fares. If I am going out, I often volunteer to drive, or I will only pre-drink to minimise spending. If you do like to drink at venues, consider sharing a bottle of wine between a few friends rather than buying a drink each.
• I don't make miscellaneous daily purchases - take-away coffees, magazines, CDs and DVDs, lollies and snacks, buying your lunch each day. It all adds up! I try my best to only spend on necessities. For work lunches, I will take leftovers or wake up early in the morning to prepare something.
• Putting things into perspective - would you rather spend $79 on the latest fashion at home, or save the money to spend on something original from a small Parisian boutique? I know which option I'd prefer!

Make the Commitment
Tell your friends, family, partner and manager that you are going to travel! Decide whether you are going to travel solo or invite somebody to explore with you. Pick the time of year, taking into consideration personal preference (I personally love summer!), university and work commitments, and loved ones' birthdays. Then book a flight - preferably one that is on sale!

Once you have made the commitment to travel, it will kick start the planning phase and encourage you to save!

Develop an Itinerary
This involves research, research, research! How long will you be away for and where would you like to visit? Are there any special events you would love to attend? It is important to find a balance between spending enough time in each place you visit, and seeing as many places as possible during your journey. I am spending 4-5 nights in each destination on my trip, excluding when I am on organised tours. I accessed many resources to develop my itinerary. I found the following to be extremely helpful:

• Google
• Travel blogs
• Having conversations about travel
• Lonely Planet's 'Europe on a Shoestring' book

When you have decided on the main destinations for your trip, more in-depth research is required. Sure - you may want to visit Paris, but did you know there are twenty arrondissements (neighbourhoods) in the city, each offering a different experience? Would you prefer to stay in hostels, B&B's, hotels, apartments, or a combination? If you are visiting Berlin, which smaller towns in the vicinity would you like to visit for day trips or overnight stays? Would you like to spend any of your time on organised tours, such as cruises or coaches?

Make Bookings
It sounds simply dreamy to book a flight to Europe and then roam around the countryside as you please,  spontaneously arriving at each destination to find a bed for the night. Unfortunately as a solo female traveler this isn't the safest option, nor is it viable for anybody during the peak tourist season.

I would highly recommend the following websites for bookings:

• SkyScanner for the cheapest flights
• Booking.com for accommodation
• TripAdvisor for accommodation reviews
• HomeAway for apartment rentals
• FlipKey for apartment rentals

Making bookings is overwhelming and it is hard to know where to begin. As a highly organised person, I have found the best way to get through bookings is to compile a list of literally everything you will need to book. I add to the list frequently, and cross off items when they are completed. I keep booking confirmations in a folder which I will keep in my hand luggage. I also store all email correspondence in a folder in my Inbox in case I misplace the paper copies.

You will need to set aside some time to research each area and compare prices for accommodation - I have devoted many Saturday nights and full days to just looking for accommodation!

Don't forget about the following necessities during your planning:

• Valid Passport
• Travel Insurance
• Travel Eftpos/Credit Card
• Medications/vaccines to be organised (if required)
• Appropriate suitcase/backpack and a secure day bag
• Cameras, chargers, travel adaptors

And the list goes on!

Tomorrow there is exactly one month until I board my plane and I am still tackling a long To-Do list. My advice is to keep searching and don't become caught up looking for the perfect accommodation. After all, I hope to spend as little time in my hotel rooms as possible! And to be honest, if my hotel isn't in the perfect location, some extra walking or a bicycle ride into the city centre won't hurt! Hopefully it will balance out all of the pastries and wine I will be consuming! If you are feeling snowed under, set booking goals each week, and share the responsibility if you are traveling in a group.

Happy planning!