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Write a Good Travel Essay. Please.

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Kathleen Boardman

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Editor’s Note: We know that many of you are looking for help writing travel experience essays for school or simply writing about a trip for your friends or family. To inspire you and help you write your next trip essay—whether it’s an essay about a trip with family or simply a way to remember your best trip ever (so far)—we enlisted the help of Professor Kathleen Boardman, whose decades of teaching have helped many college students learn the fine art of autobiography and life writing. Here’s advice on how to turn a simple “my best trip” essay into a story that will inspire others to explore the world.

Welcome home! Now that you’re back from your trip, you’d like to share it with others in a travel essay. You’re a good writer and a good editor of your work, but you’ve never tried travel writing before. As your potential reader, I have some advice and some requests for you as you write your travel experience essay.

Trip Essays: What to Avoid

Please don’t tell me everything about your trip. I don’t want to know your travel schedule or the names of all the castles or restaurants you visited. I don’t care about the plane trip that got you there (unless, of course, that trip is the story).

I have a friend who, when I return from a trip, never asks me, “How was your trip?” She knows that I would give her a long, rambling answer: “… and then … and then … and then.” So instead, she says, “Tell me about one thing that really stood out for you.” That’s what I’d like you to do in this travel essay you’re writing.

The Power of Compelling Scenes

One or two “snapshots” are enough—but make them great. Many good writers jump right into the middle of their account with a vivid written “snapshot” of an important scene. Then, having aroused their readers’ interest or curiosity, they fill in the story or background. I think this technique works great for travel writing; at least, I would rather enjoy a vivid snapshot than read through a day-to-day summary of somebody’s travel journal.

Write About a Trip Using Vivid Descriptions

Take your time. Tell a story. So what if you saw things that were “incredible,” did things that were “amazing,” observed actions that you thought “weird”? These words don’t mean anything to me unless you show me, in a story or a vivid description, the experience that made you want to use those adjectives.

I’d like to see the place, the people, or the journey through your eyes, not someone else’s. Please don’t rewrite someone else’s account of visiting the place. Please don’t try to imitate a travel guide or travelogue or someone’s blog or Facebook entry. You are not writing a real travel essay unless you are describing, as clearly and honestly as possible, yourself in the place you visited. What did you see, hear, taste, say? Don’t worry if your “take” on your experience doesn’t match what everyone else says about it. (I’ve already read what THEY have to say.)

The Importance of Self-Editing Your Trip Essay

Don’t give me your first draft to read. Instead, set it aside and then reread it. Reread it again. Where might I need more explanation? What parts of your account are likely to confuse me? (After all, I wasn’t there.) Where might you be wasting my time by repeating or rambling on about something you’ve already told me?

Make me feel, make me laugh, help me learn something. But don’t overdo it: Please don’t preach to me about broadening my horizons or understanding other cultures. Instead, let me in on your feelings, your change of heart and mind, even your fear and uncertainty, as you confronted something you’d never experienced before. If you can, surprise me with something I didn’t know or couldn’t have suspected.

You Can Do It: Turning Your Trip into a Great Travel Experience Essay

I hope you will take yourself seriously as a traveler and as a writer. Through what—and how—you write about just a small portion of your travel experience, show me that you are an interesting, thoughtful, observant person. I will come back to you, begging for more of your travel essays.

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How To Write a Good Travel Essay

Home / Blog / How To Write A Good Travel Essay - Guide With Examples

How To Write a Good Travel Essay - Guide with Examples

Introduction

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

-Gustav Flaubert

Packing the duffel with the bare essentials and hopping into the car, getting behind the steering wheel and driving with no perfect destination in mind – we all dream to live such a life, don't we? Travelling to unseen places and exploring what it has to offer can be an enriching experience. However beautiful can travel be as an experience, writing a travelling essay can be quite a challenge. It may seem easy to come up with the ideas that you want to include in the essay but putting them into coherent sentences can be difficult. Your words should be impactful enough to be able to sweep the readers off their feet and take them on the cliff or make them feel the saline breeze on a beach.  

A perfect travel essay must reflect the journey and highlight the little-known facts about the region. It should be infused with the character and culture of the place. If you are feeling stymied while writing a travel essay, then we have some brilliant tips for you that can make the task considerably easy for you.

8 tips for an outstanding essay on travelling

Here are 8 tips that you can cash on to produce a winning travelling essay:

  • Be specific with the destination

Before you choose a topic for your travel essay, keep the time spent in the location in mind. If your trip is just for a couple of days, then do not make the mistake of writing about an entire city. Think it out practically – is it possible to travel through a city in just a few days? Take for instance your essay is about London. It is quite an insurmountable task to be able to cover all the distance even in a week. So stick to a particular destination so that you can include the nuances and minutest details of the place to paint a picture in the reader’s mind with your words. 

  • Less guide, more exploring

Also, the destination need not be about an exotic locale. It can be a story about an idyllic rustic location in the suburb of the teeming city. It can be about a cottage up on the hills with just the view of snowy valleys and iced peaks. Your words should give the sense of exploring and not touring. The essay should not be like a guide. It should be a view of the location through your lens.

  • Know the location like the back of your hand

Before starting to write a travel essay, do your research. A travel essay isn’t a made-up story so there should not be any fake information. Readers will be looking for more than just the necessary information about the must-visit tourist attractions. So you need to go beyond the surface and include more about the history of the place. Just do not write about the restaurants – talk about the cuisine of the place and the story behind it, if any. To get into the innermost recesses of the location, you can speak to the residents of the area. To bring richness in your travel essay, you must reveal another side of the destination.

  • Include the nitty-gritty

The key to an impressive travel essay is to be able to break down the location into kernels and write the core details about them. As mentioned earlier, so not just write about the tourist attractions and restaurants in the destination. Write about the lesser talked streets and unknown landmarks and the history behind them. If the place is known for its delicacies, write about how the cuisine has evolved and who had started it. From quaint bookstores to ice cream parlours to run-down shabby pubs – shed light to such nuances to bring your essay to life. You can even mention the negative things that you have faced in the place – like irregular transport modes or impolite locals. These little details will help you make your essay more impactful.

  • Be creative with the writing style

Since a travel essay is more like an anecdote, there is no specific format to write it. Therefore, a travel essay gives you the scope of setting your foot into the unchartered areas of creativity. You have got the creative freedom to write what you want. You can study how the natives of the locale speak and learn some of the basic words and phrases they use. To put them into writing you can read the local newspaper to get the pulse of the city you are in. Using the colloquial lingo can help the reader get a closer peek into the lives of the people living in the place. It will reflect a slice of how they live their way of life. Your words should be simple and yet impactful to portray and not just merely narrate. Touch every bit of the rust in the roof to make the reader feel like they are on the same journey with you.

  • Make it personal

The travel essay is your story. So add some personal experience in the story and at the same time do not make it self-indulgent. Include stories that can resonate with all your readers. Your experiences should be able to bring the reader back to the travel destination and connect him with the place. It should be the perfect blend of narration of the experiences you had while on the trip along with a vivid description of the place. To achieve the balance, write your essay in first person perspective to give a real touch to the story. Include the most interesting bits that will help the reader connect with you. You can even include the quotes of natives living in the area you had visited.

  • Start with a captivating catch

Like every essay, the introduction is the key to make it an impressive read. The opening should be capturing enough to attract the reader’s attention. It should leave an impact and should make them want to go on reading the piece. Start with an unknown fact about the place and leave it hanging from the cliff. Use a tone of suspense to excite the readers to keep them guessing about the contents of the essay.

  • Make it vivid with images

For certain places, words may fall short in being able to explain the exact description of a place. You cannot describe how the sky looked with the mountains seemingly touching the clouds or the horizon fading beyond the sea. Certain things cannot be explained in words – like the color of the sky or the water! This is where pictures come in! Providing real images of the place in between can help the readers stay connected. Vivid photos can also make the readers understand the story better by bringing them closer to it. So make sure you take breathtaking pictures of the place you are writing about. The images will help your essay stay in the readers’ mind longer.

With the above tips, we are sure you will be able to write an excellent travelling essay  that will impress your professor and fetch you a good grade.

And if you are still unsure about putting these to use, then below is a winning sample to show you how it is done!

Travelling essay sample

I have visited London several times, and yet it is amazing how I find something new to explore every time I visit the capital city. My visit last autumn too did not fail to surprise me. With the hustle and bustle and the rich royal history, London city has a lot to offer. Since I just had a few days to spare, I wanted to make the best out of this trip.

Although vast and sprawling, I decided to visit most of the city on foot this time. Now since in my previous visits I had seen most of the tourist-y attractions already, I wanted to take the path less travelled this time to discover the hidden gems of the city. The last time I had been to London, I had missed out on the chance to visit the chock full of literature and history that awaited me in the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. Being a student of literature, visiting the place where the Bard of Avon once enacted the plays he wrote was a spellbinding moment. And guess what? I also caught a staging of the Macbeth before I left the place. Before heading towards the Hyde Park tube station, I grabbed some of London’s famous Fish ‘n’ Chips from the oldest food market of the city, the Borough Market. From Hyde Park to Tower Hill in under fifteen minutes by Tube, I began exploring the Tower of London. It was there that I heard a guard speaking about where he hailed from. A quick conversation with Peter, I had gotten intrigued to know more about his village – Suffolk in Lavenham. I asked him how to get there and Peter, being the quintessential helping guide that Londoners are known to be, told me that I could either take a car from central London. Or I could wait for the next day and take the train from Liverpool to Sudbury and then take the bus route 753 and reach in around two hours. Having nothing to do, I spent that day in the British Museum and walking on Oxford Street.

The next morning, I started my journey to the quaint village of Suffolk. I had picked up a book about the village where I learned that the village had once housed Henry III in 1257. And a bonus for all the Harry Potter fans – the village also starred in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ as Godric’s Hollow where Hermoine and Harry are seen to be visiting Bathilda Bagshot. On reaching the village, the first thing that grabbed my attention was the picture-perfect silhouette of prosperous medieval England with all the half-timbered houses. The lime-washed and brightly coloured buildings added an idyllic element to the village with the De Vere House standing out from the rest. Adding to the rustic touch was the fifteenth-century St Peter Church with its soaring height of a 141ft tower. The autumn breeze welcomed me as I walked on the leaf-covered high streets. I saw some young guns cycling around in a park and called out to them for directions. My stay for the trip was an Air BnB home-stay where I had to put up with an elderly couple – the Havishams. I still remember how on reaching the gate of the house, I had caught a waft of crumpets and hot scones. After an exchange of banalities followed by me gorging on the scones, I had found out about the hidden gems from Mr Havisham who happened to be quite a cheerful talker. He told me what a must-visit Hadley’s was when in Suffolk. I had then set out with a local map to find the hidden gem. On reaching I had found that Hadley’s was a cutesy ice cream shop, almost run down, run by an old lady. Here Rebecca told me how the ice cream parlour was opened back in the 1850s and was still known for their hand-made sorbets.

Like the sorbet, my stay in Suffolk had been a sweet experience – a trip of revelation. The tour – with all the lonely walks – had in an inexplicable way helped me to get my perspectives right. It isn’t the exotic locales and the flight above the clouds that make travelling my drug. Rather, it is little but beautiful discoveries like Suffolk that feed my wanderlust. Thank you, London. Thank you for being a wonderful experience, once again.   

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Dave's Travel Corner

Seeing the World One Step at a Time

How to write a travel essay

November 22, 2023 by Josh Collins Leave a Comment

Travel essays and short notes allow you to dive deep into the memories and share your experience with readers. If written well, readers can explore new places without traveling or get inspired to explore new things. The location you have visited may contain many things to discuss: architecture, sightseeing, nature, culture, and much more. How can you tell about it in a short essay? Whether you are planning to write an essay, blog post, or another type of writing – all the tips below will help you craft an appealing paper.

plan for trip essay

Understand your goals

Before writing a travel essay: 1. Define the main idea you want to stick to in your writing. If you have a specific word limit, you may be unable to cover everything you wish to write about. 2. Check whether the professor asked you to cover specific experiences during your trip or stick to a more descriptive writing style. 3. If you are free of what to write about, make up a list of things you wish to focus on.

Understanding your goals will help you see the big picture and write the text within a limited time. If you were assigned to write an essay about your travel and can’t meet the deadline or have no ideas, you can get punctual help with essay writing from EssayShark .

Write catchy introduction How did your travel start? What were your plans? You can start with a quote about adventure or just begin your story by planning or arriving at the destination place. For example, here are some starters for travel essays: ● Who has said traveling is pricy? ● Don’t let the routine bore you; add a bit of spice with traveling to your everyday life. ● And the adventure begins!

Experiment with various approaches to engage the reader. You can put this step at the end when you finish the first draft, when the overall idea will be more transparent.

Add vivid descriptions First, think about whether you can attach images to your essay to make it more appealing to the reader and support your adventures with real photos. An additional illustration can create a unique atmosphere that will transfer the reader to the place you have visited.

Use a more relaxed writing style and understand that a travel essay is not a formal academic paper but more personal writing. Use the language you use every day, and avoid cliches and slang to sound more natural and appealing to the reader.

Focus on several ideas What if you have no solid experience in traveling? Or maybe you haven’t seen anything special to talk about. In fact, even a small town has its own spirit and local sightseeing that, you can tell in your essay. For example, you can discuss local cuisine the weather, and share specific descriptions of the places.

Tell the simple story The main aim of every travel essay is to help the reader wear your shoes and imagine what you have experienced during the trip. Describe your emotions and experience in detail to help the reader feel like they have already visited the place. Avoid listing attractions or telling the traveling process step by step. Share your thoughts, and use creative expressions to keep your natural flow.

Ensure your travel story has a standard format and contains an introduction, main body, and conclusion. Don’t interrupt your writing in the middle of an idea; wrap up everything you have said in a meaningful conclusion.

Wrapping Up In general, you can approach traveling essays from different points of view. Grab the reader’s attention with an exciting intro, add vivid details, and focus on several aspects of your journey to keep them reading. Share your experience in a storytelling manner, and your writing won’t be unnoticed.

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Several Winning Tips on Travel Essay Writing

It is really hard to write a travel essay when you have no experience to share and your writing skills aren’t good. Otherwise stated, the main code for a successful and interesting travel story is the ability to share your emotions after a trip. You are more inspired almost immediately after a trip and you have a strong desire to share this experience in written form. In this scenario, you have more chances to describe a trip in the best possible way (you’ll bring the target group along with your trip).

The overarching goal of an essay writing help is to make a virtual tour for the reader. This person will read your story and will find inspiration to repeat your trip. Below, you can find several crucially important tips, allowing you to create a worthy travel essay, which will grab the reader’s attention.

1. How to Determine the Best Destination?

The biggest aberration of students is considering that an interesting essay should be about exotic countries. Alternatively stated, it is impossible to astonish the readers writing about your favorite country place or the nearest district. The theme shouldn’t be devoted to a distant country. When you can see the beauty around, you will get this creative assignment. For that reason, if you have never been to France or Australia, don’t devise new facts, aiming to create a cool essay. You should select a well-familiar destination instead and a high-quality result is guaranteed!

2. Find the Detailed Information about a Chosen Location.

It makes no matter where you want to go – before you take to the road, you should do a simple research about the places you are going to visit. Except for being packed with your personal emotions, a travel essay should be accurate and reflective. It shouldn’t be just general information about the main tourist attractions (internet is overwhelmed with these facts). You should think over the structure and study the resources because the information about habits, customs, cousin or history is more interesting than a standard listing of landmarks.

3. Mind Even Inconspicuous Details.

You should make the core audience be fully absorbed by your essay, but how to do this? The explanation is simple – pay attention to small (at a glance even inconspicuous) details. You can google this information before a trip or you can arrive at a new location and instead of taking conventional excursions, you should talk to the local citizens, eat in the local cafes (located far from touristic zones). Otherwise stated, you should see the locals’ pace of living and when you do this, you’ll find what aspects were not covered before.

4. Add Your Personal Experience.

This form of writing shouldn’t be self-indulgent but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t add your own experience. Your own opinion matters but it should be relevant to the theme of writing. Some students consider that their own viewpoint is not important but in this instance, they just turn their travel essay into a short informative post. In sober fact, your personal predicaments and thoughts can attract the audience, but don’t pitch it strongly because, in this scenario, it will be your diary.

5. Use the Rules of Descriptive Prose.

The overarching goal of a travel essay is to describe a place. For that reason, to achieve the desired effect, you should use the rules of descriptive prose. A reader should assume as if he visits this place at the moment. Nevertheless, a sense of who is describing the place should also be present. Find out the main techniques that are used by authors, writing descriptive prose and use them in your work.

Your travel essay should be informative but at the same time, it should comprise your own point of view regarding the place you visit. Just imagine a situation, you come to the art gallery, look at the main showpieces, and you immediately imagine this place (as if you are a part of this picture). The same should be with a travel essay – the core audience reads it and immediately grasps what you wanted to hit over the fence.

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How To Write a Good Travel Essay

Few things can be more enjoyable than telling a fascinating story about your holidays. You can post it on your social media, create a travel blog, or write an essay for school. Sharing memories of the pleasant trip is for sure much more interesting and exciting than writing an academic essay on some obscure topic. Besides obvious fun, however, this kind of writing could bring the same challenges as any other topic and even a few more. 

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Traditional struggles with essay writing include crafting a clear outline, selecting your key ideas and related arguments, and drafting a concise text. Travel essays may additionally raise the issue of wanting to tell too much. It is also easy to overwhelm your readers with lots of new facts and information about another country or activity. So, let’s discuss some tips and tricks on how to write your travel essay smoothly and with the best result.

Start With a Map

planning a trip

Your wonderful journey was born after looking through the bucket lists of the most remarkable destinations and choosing several highlights of your trip. Most probably, you’ve planned an itinerary connecting your dream destinations trying for it to be the shortest or the most picturesque. Same is valid for planning your travel essay – always start with an outline.

Clear draft of the points you’d like to describe and details to better illustrate your story could keep you in check while writing your essay. It’ll be easier to follow one narrative line without wandering off. The best about the outlines is that anyone can write an essay with an elaborated outline. And if you struggle with finding time or inspiration to complete your essay, you can always apply for help to professionals. As the best essay writing service reviews show, experienced writers deliver great essays based on the clients’ outlines.

Focus on Your Goal

Even travel essays can differ in type and end goals. You can describe your journey from start to finish concentrating on the attractions seen. Or you can talk about funny incident that happened to you. One can always dare to beat Jack Kerouac and write a road story. It is even possible to go travel-blog style and write about lifehacks for those planning a journey.

Whatever you choose as your aim for an essay would decide the text structure, language, and whole approach to writing. It is advisable to keep this in mind and avoid mixing several goals in one paper. The essay format requires being brief and sticking to one line of narrative. It wouldn’t work to start philosophical dwellings on the symbolism of the road and continue with lifehacks about packing light for a journey.

Paint a Picture

Unless you’re writing an essay for your personal travel blog, it’d be difficult to attach photos to illustrate your text. So, you should use your words instead. Try to add adjectives and phrases that bring your memories to life. If a good description makes you feel the taste and smell of your holidays, it’s probable your readers would feel that too. 

Remember, though, to stay tasteful and brief. Too many personal details may spoil the effect your essay was supposed to make. And documenting every step of your journey may turn your account into a boring story. Keeping a balance here is a challenge, but if succeeded you’ll have a captivating essay for any kind of audience.

Tie Your Story to Bigger Issues

Of course, your vacations deserve detailed storytelling. But without clearly demonstrated relations between the lessons you’ve learned on your trip and more universal challenges and experiences, it might be quite boring for other people to read your essay. In the end, we all worry most about our own lives. So, to grasp the attention of your readers try to plan your captivating story around some relatable issue. For example, feeling of sadness away from home despite wonderful landscapes around you. Or practical challenges of finding a common language with locals in another country. 

With such an approach in mind, you can add advice or travel recommendations to your essay based on your own experience and reflections. This would make your paper more useful, important to finish, and relatable.

Recounting your exciting travels is a pleasant task. Even with efforts to put into writing an essay, the subject itself warms sparks the inspiration. There is an obvious need to follow the traditional essay-writing rules. Start with a clear outline in mind, limit your account to several highlights of your journey, connect your experience to some relatable issue your reader would feel close to. Consider choosing some stronger emotional adjectives or phrases to convey your personal feelings about the journey. Think about your paper as of your travel journal and as a brief educational piece for someone who’s never traveled. This way your essay would be both colorful and concise for any reader to love.

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Pure Travel

How to write a travel essay?

  • August 25, 2020

What could be more exciting than a trip? One finds himself in it, understands what is wrong with the place where he was born and grew up, and rethinks his whole life. An exciting journey is a sort of sip of freshness and inspiration for new beginnings. However, it’s not easy for everyone to describe and talk about their travels. We spoke to essay writers from EssayShark and discovered all the secrets of writing about travel.

What is a travel essay?

A travel essay is a story about the author’s journey to a certain place and a description of his or her emotions, feelings, and experiences resulting from that journey. The trip does not need to be to a remote or extreme location. A visit to a village with relatives whom you have not seen since childhood can be more precious and memorable than climbing to the highest peak in your country. This type of essay is usually written in the first person and includes a large number of personifications. Today travel blogs are becoming more and more popular and are not just about colorful photos. Texts play an equally important role.

Tips on writing a travel essay

It is important to be able to interest your reader and make them read the story to the end. If you start your story with “Last summer, I went to a neighboring state,” you are unlikely to intrigue anyone. Try to start your essay with a quote or a phrase that will make you want to dig deeper. “Jump faster, what are you waiting for? He’s already right behind us! “my friend shouted.” The reader immediately has many questions: Where should he jump? Who is chasing them? Will they be able to run away? Then comes the story, and the intrigue of jumping with a friend is revealed only at the end.

Breaking the chronology also works fine if you have the task of enticing the reader. For example, the story begins with a description of a situation where the author of the text finds himself in some incredible situation. Then the text follows the phrase: “Two hours before these events, I had no idea that this could happen to me.”

Never write an essay when you are still traveling

During the trip, it is better to write down the details and emotions that you get in new places, but not to write the whole essay. You’ll do that when you get back. You need the information to calm down, and the analytical part of the brain will come into play.

Do not rewrite Wikipedia

No one is interested in reading about the Eiffel Tower in Paris for the thousandth time or about the year the Colosseum was founded and who fought there. Leave it to Wikipedia. Stop and think about what you know that’s not on Wikipedia. For example, it doesn’t know what flavors fill the streets of Paris, where they sell delicious buns in Amsterdam, and where to find the biggest bicycle parking .

Tell Stories

The most powerful “hook” to attract readers or listeners is a good story. Something that brings the story to life and what is ultimately memorable. When you tell a story about an architectural monument, no one will remember what year and style it was built. They will remember the legend associated with it. Stories can be written about anything.

Add emotions and dynamics to your essay

When approaching the text critically, however, do not forget about the emotional component. Try to write not so much in words as in images. A genuinely fascinating text should capture the reader, teleport him to the very heart of your story. The reader should feel the air temperature, sounds, tastes, and fragrances that surround you. Do not be afraid of metaphors and epithets.

Do not emphasize the negative aspects of the journey, but do not hide the mishaps

Everyone knows that delicate things can spoil the mood. You get off on the wrong foot, and the day is ruined. You should not confuse your expectations with the actual state of things. However, when you stand on a sea urchin with that very foot, for example, where the encounter with him could not have happened, that’s another story. This experience makes your report special. That’s where practical advice is born.

What should you remove from the travel essay?

  • pathos and pathetic (they kill the text and make it dull);
  • other people’s ideas (use your own words and feelings);
  • the beautiful (magnificent, luxurious, delightful — these epithets no longer have any meaning). It’s better to talk about tactile sensations, smells, and tastes;
  • lengthy descriptions, unnecessary details — banalities and common places;
  • cliches and stamps (“narrow, cobbled streets,” “indelible impressions,” “the fall was due to a loss of balance”);
  • exclamation points and ellipses (their abundance reveals the author’s powerlessness).
  • figures, dates;
  • proper names;
  • geographical titles;
  • everything that indicates the “biggest,” “oldest,” (it often turns out to be false).

Fact-checking

You should especially double-check those facts where you are 100% sure.

If the truthfulness of the story cannot be confirmed, but it is fascinating, there are magic expressions such as “they say,” “there is a version that,” “according to a local legend…”.

Related Topics

  • student travel
  • travel blogging
  • travel essays
  • travel writing

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How to Write An Ideal Essay About Your Trip

plan for trip essay

Traveling is fun and adventurous. It is inspiring and the experience is perfect for your writing assignments. Some students find it difficult to write an essay about their traveling experience. There are some tips to write an exceptional essay on your latest trip. Let us help you get started:

Use a capturing introduction section

Start your essay with something interesting to get the reader’s attention. A travel essay is a lot different from other write-ups. It revolves around your personal experience. It should be exciting and fun to read. Don’t begin with random boring statements such as:

  • Traveling is a fun experience for everyone;
  • Traveling uplifts your mood and spirits.

You can give a more personal touch to your writings by using statements that build the reader’s interest. If the starting lines are not captivating enough, the reader will think the body paragraphs and your remaining essay are also not interesting. To pique a reader’s interest into your blog or essay, here are some examples for you to consider:

  • Break your routine life and open up new vistas of imagination by traveling to your favorite city;
  • Don’t wait for tomorrow! Pack your bags today for this exciting journey I am about to share with you.

However, if you are short on time and are having trouble writing an essay on your own, you can choose reliable writing services like Essay Kitchen to do the job for you. It will save you time and your essay will be delivered by a professional.

Follow a standard essay structure

Essay on traveling is just the same as any regular essay. No matter what the topic is, the structure of the essay should remain the same. An introductory note begins the essay followed by 3-4 body paragraphs. The conclusion is in the end wrapping up the entire article’s content. The introduction will include a thesis statement, and introduce you to the places you have traveled. Here, you can briefly mention your feelings about the trip.

In the body paragraphs, describe your experience in detail. You should also write about your fun memories and the historical places you have been. Describe the people there and mention their hospitality. Share some tips about the hotel stay, different forms of accommodation and food. You can also share your per-day expense to give the reader an idea about how much money they should keep with them. The concluding note must share your learning experiences and if the trip met your expectations or not. Give recommendations in the end while wrapping up your essay. Check out some ways to present a stunning essay:

  • Brainstorm ideas. Sit in a natural environment to induce creativity;
  • Describe your experience in detail;
  • Begin with the introductory note;
  • Write down the body paragraphs, describing events;
  • Present a conclusion sharing your learning experiences.

Select your favorite city

Wondering how to write a travel essay when you have not visited any place in recent times? The simplest way to start writing is to mention your favorite city. When you write about the best place you would like to be, you can create a journey. Read about different regions and places and see which one inspires you the most. Share useful information with people and make them a part of your journey. Have trouble writing an essay? You can always hire an essay writing service. There are plenty of case study examples that will help you submit quality work on time.

Choose a few attractions

Every place has its unique features and attractions. A buzzing metropolitan city also has numerous places to visit. Mention all the places that have inspired you the most. Give a brief introduction about each attraction. Provide basic information to the readers about unknown sights and fascinating areas. Discuss the most intriguing places in detail. Travelling essay writing is a lot different from other article types.

Here are some general guidelines to help you write an exceptional travel essay:

  • Use a sense of humor to convey your thoughts;
  • Your final aim should be to engage the readers;
  • Share specific descriptions;
  • Give your account;
  • Provide as much relevant information as possible;
  • Use a narrative that builds imagination;
  • Follow a structure;
  • Keep it simple;
  • Don’t use complex vocabulary;

Show rather than tell

Use language that takes the reader to the place. Show them around. Once they are finished reading your essay about travelling experience, they should feel like they have been to the place. Describe the experience. You shouldn’t just list down attractions. Paint an imaginary picture of the space in the reader’s mind. Give specific descriptions about the place and not just discuss any random idea.

Keep it simple

Use simple words and vocabulary. Don’t show off your vocabulary and use high-sounding words. Your teacher is only interested to know how you can narrate any experience. It is not imperative to use flowery language or load up your essay with difficult words. Keep a natural flow and use creative expression to share your thoughts. Using simpler words doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be imaginative. Avoid clichés and formal language as it will kill the purpose of your writing. Brainstorm ideas for your write-up before you sit down to write.

  • Is the essay engaging;
  • Does your essay follow a set structure and format;
  • Is the language creative and interesting to read;
  • Does your essay connect to the reader;
  • Are the words repetitive?

Describe what you achieved

Tell the readers how life-changing the traveling experience was for you. Was it financially draining or rewarding? Your essay on a trip should describe events, happenings, and your overall experience. If you have made good friends or met new people, discuss it in your blog. Every riveting detail would fill up the reader’s imagination.

Give readers a good ending

Every story is incomplete without a proper climax. Your writing should have a significant conclusion. The reader must be satisfied with reading your account. Plan your paragraphs and the information you wish to give out in each para. Leave the thrilling part for the conclusion. 

Don’t share everything in the body paragraphs. If you end your essay about the trip in an abrupt manner, you will lose the essence. Give a conclusion that wraps up everything in a convincing manner. Just like the first paragraph is important, the concluding note is equally necessary.

These are some of the ways to write an essay about traveling. Give vivid descriptions, creatively share your story to grip the reader’s attention. Engage the audience with your account and share with them the various experiences you had. Your writing should enhance the reader’s curiosity.

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Essay , travel , Trip

Examples

Travel Essay

Travel essay generator.

plan for trip essay

Being given the chance to write essays travel to places around the world is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken for granted. For some people, it’s a dream that isn’t quite easy to reach. After all, not everyone is fortunate enough to afford such luxury.

When one travels, it’s an experience that they want to share with others. They want to tell a story of the things they’ve seen, the people they met, and the culture they’ve experienced. Most people tell this story through photographs, video diaries, or even travel essays. Through this, they are able to express the thrill and joy from their travel experience. It’s not about bragging but it’s about sharing the beauty of our surroundings.

Travel Writing Essay

Travel Writing Essay

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Travel Photo Essay

Travel Photo Essay

How to Write a Travel Essay?

Writing a travel essay is simple. The only thing essential is how you deliver the message. When you travel, it’s important to pay close attention to details.

This would be anything from the structure, the ambiance, and the locals. Allow yourself to wander and focus on the uniqueness of the given place. Tour guides, natives, and travel brochures often provide a short history of a place that you could include in your essay. It’s also best to learn the backstory of a place through your own research. This will allow you and the reader to feel the historic value of a place. It’s best to create an essay outline of your experience for you to properly organize your thoughts.

Purpose of Travel Essay

You have probably read a travel essay in the past. This could be from blogs, newspapers, or magazines. Some essays are so well-written that it makes you feel like you’re a part of the experience. This would inspire you to visit the place at one point in your life. However, it’s not all about what to see or where to go. It’s about the experience. It’s about sharing the beauty of a place that most people aren’t aware of. Travelling isn’t only about having fun but it’s also about appreciating the world we live in.

It’s a descriptive essay explaining the endless wonders of mankind. A travel essay also provides a glimpse of the culture of a given place. Writers inform us of the living conditions of the people there, their character traits, and their outlook in life. These essays are meant to be informative for people to remember that there’s a whole different world out there to explore.

Travel Experience

Travel Experience

Short Essay Sample

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Sample Space Essay

Sample Space Essay

Why Is It Important to Write a Travel Essay?

Travel essays may be written for different reasons. This could be to promote a given location to encourage tourists for a given travel agency or even as a good subject for a high school essay . Writing a travel essay is important in such a way that we can promote local tourism.

Not only can this support a country’s economy but it can also contribute to a local citizen’s means of living. A travel essay is often more accurate and descriptive than a mere photograph. It simply brings the image to life.

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Tips for Planning a Trip

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Published: Sep 19, 2019

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Table of contents

Travel essay outline, travel essay example, introduction.

  • Importance of travel planning

Becoming a Savvy Traveler

Considering the type of trip, maintaining flexibility in planning, leveraging technology in planning, utilizing google maps, managing long journeys, become a savvy traveler, take into account the type of trip you want to make, google maps.

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A Passion and A Passport

Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5

How to Plan a Trip Like a Pro: The Only Trip Planning Resource You’ll Ever Need

last Updated: December 8, 2022 travel tips

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Wondering how to plan a trip without all the headaches? Yeah, travel planning can be quite the doozy.

It’s time-consuming, overwhelming, and downright confusing; there’s flights to book, currencies to convert, time to take off, and activities to plan. And that’s not even considering all the getting around once you actually arrive!

Don’t let the stresses of travel planning get in the way of heading to your dream destination. I get it, though, I really do, there’s a lot to do. Planning a trip can seem like a daunting task. But I’m here to help with my travel planning tips! 

plan for trip essay

Luckily, I’ve planned dozens (and dozens) of trips, from quick weekend jaunts to Napa Valley and Lassen Volcanic National Park , to faraway exotic destinations like Bali and Morocco (with ridiculously detailed itineraries).

After lots of trial and error (and making tons of mistakes on my part) I’ve figured out a way to ease the travel planning process. I’ve narrowed it down to an easy 18 steps on how to plan a trip, so you, too, can take the trip of your dreams. Whether it’s a 5-day beach break or a culturally diverse 2-week trip to Thailand , follow my advice below and you’ll be off before you know it.

I’m kinda known for my crazy-detailed itineraries, and get lots of people asking me for help on others. I haven’t been everywhere, so wanted to provide this trip planning resource so you can plan epic trips of your own!

This is my exact trip planning method – it’s kinda ingrained in me now, but after getting it all down on paper, I realized I actually prefer doing things in a set step-by-step basis! Perfect for you because you can copy how I plan my trips!

plan for trip essay

So if you’re looking for a STEP-BY-STEP guide (made for busy professionals like you), continue reading, because this trip itinerary planner is juuuust the thing you’re looking for. Don’t blame me if you plan too many vacations. :p

→ Read Next: How to Travel More (with a full time 9-5 job)

How to Plan a Trip: Actionable steps to planning a trip of your dreams

Step 1: inspiration + fun/general research.

Before we get started on the specifics of how to plan a trip, start with some travel inspo! And sometimes, just getting inspired is half the fun of actually booking the trip (at least it is for me). 

I like to use Pinterest , Instagram , good old fashioned travel mags (at the dentist/doctor or when strolling through my favorite store Target), and of course, travel blogs.  I constantly find myself swooning over photos I see, and sometimes even book a trip based off of one photo alone, like that time I begged my sister to head off to Chefchaoen with me (I’m a highly visual person if you haven’t noticed). 

plan for trip essay

Since my mind goes into overload during the inspiration phase, I make sure to organize what I find right away as efficiently as humanly possible.

Enter, Google Maps. As soon as I find a spot I wanna visit (whether it be as specific as a restaurant in a little town or a country as a whole), I type it into Google Maps and hit Save → Want to Go. This way, all my finds are kept neatly in one place, and already plotted on a map to see general locations. You should see my Google Maps – it’s covered in those little green pin markers.

A few posts for some inspiration right over here:

  • My Life-Long Bucket List
  • Most Beautiful Places in California
  • 25 Perfect Week-Long USA Itineraries
  • Where I went in 2013 , 2014 , 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , and 2018
  • 35+ Winter Weekend Getaways in the USA (snowy and warm)
  • My Travel Bucket List: USA Edition
  • 14 Adventurous Places to Travel 
  • The Best Beaches Around the World
  • The Ultimate South East Asia Bucket List

plan for trip essay

Specific Bucket-list worthy experiences:

  • Meeting the Dragons in Komodo
  • Bobsledding in Park City, Utah
  • Sailing the Greek Islands
  • Staying in an Overwater Bungalow
  • Beach bumming Hawaii

Once you’ve narrowed down your list to a few places you wanna go, figure out how much time you’ll need and the best time of year to visit. Make this quick – no need to do intense research just yet. We’re still in the beginning phases of how to plan your trip. They’ll be time later for lots and lots of googling, reading, and finalizing.

Jot it down on paper in 3 columns: Places I Want to See, Time Needed, and Best Time of Year to Visit (based off of weather). I quickly google “best time to go to ____”. Example here:

How to plan a trip like a pro

Step 2: Decide on your Destination and Trip Length

How much time are you allocating to this trip? Are you able to use a bunch of PTO and make it an epic adventure? When can you travel? Before you even begin to plan your trip, you’ve gotta know where you’re going and for how long!

Be as specific as possible. Instead of saying “I want to go to Europe”, specify the exact country, and then cities within. “I’m headed to Barcelona and Valencia!” sounds much more real, and you’ve got a much more specific goal to work towards. 

Think about the type of trip you want – are you a “see-as-much-as-possible” and “cross-it-off-the-list” type of traveler, or do you want to take a few days to really get to know a place inside and out? I’m more of the first type (hey, yolo, right?), but I’m starting to appreciate spending ample time in destinations I really love.

What kind of weather do you want? Are you looking for a frozen, ice-filled fantasy or longing for a few days basking in the sun ? How do cultural and foodie experiences sound? Are you looking to stay close-ish to home or are you prepared to travel far? All questions you gotta ask yourself when choosing a destination.

TIPS FOR SHORTER TRIPS (up to 7 days)

plan for trip essay

If you know you’ll only have a few days, don’t pick a place that’ll take you 2 days to get to. We want to maximize the amount of time you’ll actually have in your destination.

And Psst – don’t think there’s much around you? Think again. There’s likely loads within a few hours.

  • For example, from NYC, you can get to London in just under 7 hours, the Caribbean/Central America in 3/4 hours (depending on where), Iceland in just 5 ½, and the other side of the country in 6.
  • From San Francisco, you can get to Japan in 10 hours, Mexico City in 4 ½, and Hawaii in 5.  Cliche, I know, but the world really is your oyster.

Only have a few days? Check out these sample itineraries I’ve created to see exactly how much I’m able to fit in in just a few days!

Coming from the States:

  • Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco
  • Long Weekend Trips from New York City
  • 5 Days in Maui / 3 Days in Kauai
  • 3 Days in Mexico City 
  • 3 Days in Las Vegas
  • 3 Days in Washington DC
  • 3 Days in Portland, Oregon

Coming from Europe:

  • 3 Days in Vienna
  • 3 Days in Barcelona
  • 2 Days in Venice
  • 3 Days in Santorini
  • 2 Days in Athens

Coming from Asia:

  • 3 Days in Ubud
  • 3 Days in Tokyo
  • 3 Days in Taipei
  • 2 Days in Bangkok
  • 3 Days in Singapore
  • 3 Days in Hong Kong

TIPS FOR LONGER TRIPS (1 week+)

Longer trips are undeniably much harder to plan, since there’s a bunch of logistics involved in getting from place to place. You probably won’t be staying in the same exact spot for all 7+ days. But as long as you start your research early and follow my itinerary planning advice below, you’ll be a step above everyone else blindly crafting their schedules. P

ractice really does make perfect, so the first long, multi-destination trip you plan will be the hardest. Expect a few hiccups, but just go along with it; that’s just part of traveling!

plan for trip essay

If you’ve got a longer amount of time, check out these bucket-list worthy destinations for inspiration (and plus, I already planned out the bulk of these itineraries = less leg work/heavy research for you):

  • 2 Weeks in Thailand
  • 10 Days in Japan
  • California Coast Road Trip
  • 10 Days in Norway
  • 2 Weeks in Croatia (+Bosnia)
  • 10 days in Panama
  • 2 Weeks in Spain and Portugal
  • 10 days in Bali + Komodo National Park
  • A Week in Iceland
  • 10 days in Greece

And right after I decide on a destination, I always research to see if a visa is involved. Some you can get upon arrival at the airport, while others you need to apply and wait for.

Don’t book a ticket without knowing the visa situation, as airlines don’t check for proper documentation before you book your flight (and it’s possible you’ll get turned away at the airport and need to go back home just as soon as you arrive into the country which requires a visa – not fun!).

Step 3: Choose your Approximate Travel Dates

If you’ve done your due diligence and filled out your own travel planning worksheet above, you already know the best time to visit your dream destination. However, when considering the best time to travel, there’s quite a few factors to think about. 

No one wants to get to their destination after planning for months only to realize they forgot to look into the weather patterns. Will it be rainy season? Hurricane season? Ridiculously over-the-top blazing hot (sweating profusely is no fun for anyone). I’ve had friends visit Bora Bora (a wildly-expensive once-in-a-lifetime trip) in the rainy season and I crossed my fingers for sun for them.

I always like to visit a destination in either the high season or shoulder season, for the best chance of perfect or near-perfect weather. I’m someone who despises rain with a passion (some may like it, but just think about if your activities will be dampered because of some precipitation). This is extra important to me, and I’d rather pay a bit more money for higher possibilities of sun and no rain/clouds.

Of course, you cannot predict the weather months from now, but I always look at the expected weather trends in my intended travel month and stay away from the rainy/hurricane season.

plan for trip essay

For the best combo of pleasant weather and minimal crowds, it’s wise to travel in the shoulder season (weeks/months outside of high season). This will of course change from destination to destination, but in general, late April-early June and September-October is shoulder season in many parts of both Europe and the USA.

Think about when kids are back in school – if you visit when school is in attendance, you’ll have less families traveling and therefore fewer overall people.

Three days in Rome is the perfect amount of time for site seeing, lots of eating, and city strolling. Check out what to do in Rome in three days, what to eat, and where to sleep.

Note that high season typically sees higher costs (but hey, it’s high season for a reason!). If you can visit when kids are back in school, you’ll have higher chances of finding a good deal. Visiting during a holiday? If you can plan your travels bypassing Christmas and New Years, you’ll automatically save a whole bunch, as this is the most expensive time to travel to most places.

Headed to Las Vegas and looking for the best 3 day Las Vegas itinerary? Keep on reading for opulent hotels, sugary snacks, and luxurious spa treatments. See, it’s not all kitschy casinos and high-cash table games!

Attending a Specific Event

Is there a specific festival/event/animal migration you want to attend/witness? For example, Oktoberfest in Germany, whale watching in Monterey, safari in Africa, and Burning Man in Nevada. Full Moon Party in Thailand and the Day of the Dead in Mexico are two other examples.

You’ll need to obviously plan your trip around these dates/months. Do note that it’ll most likely be one of the most costliest times to visit, so plan to book flights and accommodations way in advance.

plan for trip essay

No need to plan exact dates just yet, just know the general timeframe of when you want to go. For example, this could be 1) early June 2021, 2) between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 3) birthday month, etc.

Step 4: Decide on your Travel Partners

Are you planning on traveling solo or with friends/family/significant other? 

Traveling with Friends/Family/Children?

Traveling with other people can be a bit more difficult to plan (you’ve got other people’s interests and budgets to cater to), but the memories will be even sweeter when you can reminisce about your fantastic trip together in a few months.

Planning a trip with family? You’ll likely be deciding on your destination together. Remember – it’s all a compromise. If I want a few days of running around a major city, we always make sure to head to smaller towns/spend a day or two relaxing on the beach for my husband later on in the trip. Everyone should be part of the decision-making process.

plan for trip essay

When I’m traveling with friends, I like to have my desired destination in mind as well as approximate dates. Don’t go to your friend and say “wanna travel next year?”. It’s way too open-ended, especially if you have a general idea of where you wanna go. I just started planning a trip for Spring Break, so asked my friend if she wants to accompany me on a trip to Jordan in late March. See, much more specific.

Always know the type of accommodation you both prefer, if this will be a budget/mid-range/luxury trip, and how the other person feels about spending some time solo (if one person wants to do something but the other really doesn’t want to). Your bestest of friends may make the worst travel buddies – be upfront about as much as possible and you’ll have the greatest chance of a smooth trip.

Traveling Solo?

Never traveled solo before? Don’t fret – I just started traveling solo a few years ago and fell in love with the whole concept ! It’s all so freeing! You can pick and choose all your activities, have cupcakes for breakfast (guilty!), and take as many photos as you want (64597 or 0)! Things do end up being a bit more expensive because you’ve got no one to split the bill with, so I typically stay in hostels and eat tons of street food to help with costs. 

plan for trip essay

When traveling solo for the first time, I recommend heading to a country that speaks your language, has an easy currency conversion, and is known for being safe and with a good tourist infrastructure. I loved traveling solo in Iceland , London, and Croatia solo, and would highly recommend these countries for first-time solo travelers! 

→  All my female solo travel tips over here (useful for you men as well, but it’s catered towards women, just FYI). 🙂

Step 5: Research Trip Costs

Before you can you do research on trip costs, you’ve gotta know where you’re going (obviously, because places all cost a different amount of money), how long you plan to travel for (more days = more money, usually), and when you aim to go (high season vs. low season can be wildly different in terms of financials). 

See, this is why you need to figure out how long you’re planning to travel for before you do your research on trip costs. Every night at a hotel, plus food and activities per day, will add up quickly. 

But it’s true – a vacation is only as expensive as you make it. Don’t expect baller champagne on a beer budget. That being said, you still can have a hell-of-a-time without spending a fortune.

Everyone told us that Japan would be over-the-top expensive, and we found it pretty in line with other trips we’ve taken. Must have been those inexpensive AirBnBs we found and eating cheap street food everyday.

plan for trip essay

If you’re traveling solo you won’t have many opportunities to cut these costs down (hostels are great for solo travelers), but if you’ve got a travel partner and are planning on sharing accommodation, you can automatically save 50% on hotels, car rentals, some activities, etc. 

Make a rough outline of how much you think the trip will cost, approximations of course. Be sure to note flight, hotel, meals, activities, transportation, and any possible extras. The more research you do, the fewer surprises you’ll have later on.

How to plan a trip like a pro

In addition, when thinking about your budget, think about areas in which you could save some money, and what hotels/activities/experiences you feel comfortable splurging on. Would you rather stay at that posh 5 star resort for 2 nights or take a helicopter ride in Maui ? Do you prefer a fancy spa treatment or a night out at the opera? It’s wise to pick and choose a few things you know you can’t live without, and try and cut corners in other areas. 

For example, we sometimes stay at airport hotels if we’re arriving late into our destination, which saves us money as they are typically less expensive than hotels in downtown. The next morning we check into the more expensive hotel, but have already saved a bunch of money by spending a night at the less expensive hotel, without impacting our travel plans at all!

plan for trip essay

Make sure to think about transportation costs too, as these can vary greatly depending on where you’re going. I’m not talking about transportation to your first destination, but how you’ll actually get around once you’re there. You can get anywhere in NYC for $2.75 (which I miss greatly), but if you wanna take day trips outta the city it’s a whole other ball game.

Think about if you’ll be traveling to different cities/places during your trip – be sure to account for a car rental, trains, buses, public transit, Uber, taxis, domestic flights, etc.

*** Always overestimate the cost of travel. There are lots of unexpected and unforeseen costs involved (unfortunately).  It’s always best to over over prepared, especially when it comes to finances!!! And if you don’t use all the money you save, you can always allocate the funds to your next trip. Boom!

And once you’ve figured all this out, you can set a rough budget for yourself. I say rough, because things are gonna change. Travel can be wildly unpredictable (especially if you haven’t done enough research).

Step 6: SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

Time to get saving, my soon-to-be world-traveling friends. Because, well, hate to break it to ya, but you need a large chunk of change to pay for all your fun. You don’t need to save up enough cash for your entire trip all at once, but make sure you have a plan as to how you’ll do so before your trip arrives.

As you’re booking flights, hotels, activities, and as other trip-related expenses come up, you’ll want to have a sufficient amount of money to cover these things straight away.

NEVER go into credit card debt to travel. Just please don’t. Wait an extra few months/year to travel if you need to. The world ain’t going anywhere, but the credit card companies will charge you a hell of a beast of interest, that’s for sure.  

plan for trip essay

To make your finances black and white, write down all the things you spend money on each month (rent/mortgage, car payment/insurance, groceries, gym memberships, etc). Then look at your credit card and write down all the miscellaneous stuff. You may be surprised to see that you’ve spent ~300/month on coffees or ~$80/month on that pilates membership you haven’t used since February.

See if you can split the cost of Amazon Prime/Spotify/Netflix with a friend/family member, as even saving an extra $40 per month can get you a few nights in some places.

Think about ways you can slightly alter your everyday life to save for your trip. Every time you forgo that expensive morning latte or night out at the club/bar, you’re a few dollars closer to your dream trip.

Your friends don’t understand? Get new friends. Haha – but really, explain to them that a night out can cost as much as entry to the Vatican or a few days bumming around in Belize.

Get rid of those weekly/monthly subscription boxes, make your morning coffee at home, and save dinners out for special occasions. There are a billion ways to save money, you just gotta be creative sometimes.

And if you’re lucky, you’ll already have some extra cash lying around to plan your trip- but just remember, never take money out of your emergency fund to go off traveling. Set up a different bank account, with the sole purpose being money saved for travel.

Step 7: Apply for a no-fee ATM card

And since we’re talking cash, now’s the time to apply for a no-fee ATM card.

If you want to avoid those pesky ATM fees every time you take out cash while away, simply look into a no-fee debit/ATM card, such as one through Charles Schwab (which I have and love). You can use the card at any ATM in the world, and Schwab will reimburse you all the ATM fees at the end of the month. Pretty neat, right?

It’s by far the best debit card for traveling Americans. We transfer some money into our Schwab account before a trip, and use that as our spending money (do note that it takes a few days for money to transfer between banks, so do this a few days before jetting off).

More info on Charles Schwab here.

plan for trip essay

ATM fees quickly add up, with many banks charging around $5 or so per transaction. When traveling, I don’t like to keep a whole lotta cash on me at hand, so rely on local ATMs to take out small amounts when need be. Why shell out money when you don’t have to, right?

Step 8: Apply for a travel rewards credit card

Not all credit cards are created equal. I repeat. Not all credit cards are created equal. If you plan on traveling quite a bit (or even just once), it’s wise to look into a travel rewards credit card for the bonus miles and perks that come along with it.

There are many to choose from, including more general travel cards as well as airline/hotel/brand specific. 

We currently use and love the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which not only gives us $300 a year statement credit for travel, but grants us access into Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide, provides free auto insurance when renting cars, lost luggage reimbursement, and even a concierge service, (and oh so much more).

Don’t let the $450 annual fee scare you; it’s actually only $150 once you spend $300 on travel. Chase typically has great promotions, so be on the lookout for ones providing ~50k+ bonus miles (good for a roundtrip flight to almost anywhere in the world). There’s also the Chase Sapphire, which still comes with heaps of benefits, but you don’t get lounge access and other perks.

plan for trip essay

In addition, we also use an airline specific credit card, the Delta American Express, since my husband’s airline of choice is Delta. Whenever we book Delta flights using this card, we get extra bonus miles, which we can put to use for future free flights. I wouldn’t recommend only traveling with AMEX though, as many places around the world only take VISA/Mastercard. Hence our need for both.

Other recommended cards include Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card. 

When looking for a travel credit card to apply for, check to make sure it has no international ATM withdrawal fees, no currency conversion fees, and reward points for travel (airlines/hotels/cars/etc).

And just FYI, Travelers Checks are kiiiinda a thing of the past, so be sure to have a credit card ok for international use.

Step 9: Book Flights

Booking flights is one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the travel planning process for me. And why? Because not only do flight prices fluctuate daily, but once you book, you only have 24 hours to cancel (as long as you’re booking from the USA). I find it incredibly intimidating, especially because I’m always trying to get the best possible price. And all those options! So confusing!

I rely on Skyscanner and Google Flights when looking for the cheapest possible flights, and sometimes also look on Kiwi . I tend to sway towards Skyscanner the most because it allows you to search an entire month (or time of year) to find the absolute cheapest flight available.

plan for trip essay

If I ever purchase a flight through a third-party, I make sure to call the airline and confirm my reservation number. 

However, 99.99% of the time I book directly through the airlines themselves. Once you find a good deal on Skyscanner or Google Flights, go directly to the airline website to book the flight. And don’t forget to input any airline numbers you are a partner of to rack up those skymiles for later use!

→ Psst – check out Skyscanner and set up price alerts to snag the best deal.

However, always be sure to check low-cost airlines, as they are not always included in third-party sites.  A good list can be found here . Southwest and Frontier Air are good options in the USA.  More tips on getting the best price on airfare here . 

Don’t be that person who paid the most on a flight → be flexible, use miles if you can, and sign up for email notifications (I like to use Skyscanner and Google Flights for this). If you’re a bit more flexible with your destination, make sure to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights and The Flight Deal, as you’ll receive insane flight deals. The more flexibility you have, the better your chances of scoring a great price. Be willing to fly midweek and off-hours, at the least, if you can.

Search for low airfares and hit BUY when you feel comfortable (don’t wait as flight prices can drastically change within hours)! Here are some additional tips on finding cheap airfare ! I’m a serial advanced planner when it comes to expensive, long-haul flights, but some of my friends score good deals by waiting until a month or two before. It all depends on your comfort level. 

Before booking, you’ll want to have a general idea of your travel route, as this may impact your flights. Will you be flying into one city and out of another? Are you booking a round trip ticket? 

plan for trip essay

An important note on Passports : Traveling internationally? Can’t leave the country without a valid passport, am I right?! Many countries require at least 6 remaining months on passports before you leave or in order to even enter the country.

If you need to order a new passport, you can check out this passport guide for help, and if you’re traveling within 6-8 weeks (amount of time it usually takes to process passports), you’ll need to get an expedited passport which you’ll receive in approximately 3 weeks for an extra $60. Well worth the money if you find yourself in a pinch and desperately need that passport ASAP.

Step 10: Book Hotels/Accommodations

I like to book hotels relatively early on in my planning process. Why? If you’re traveling during high season (which happens to be me more often than not), there’s a chance your desired hotels could be all booked up! We tend to book hotels that we can cancel, just in case our travel itinerary changes or we find accommodation that suits us better. Most of the time refundable rooms cost a bit more, so just something to keep in mind.

When searching for rooms, I typically do a quick check on HotelsCombined , since they find the best price by checking dozens of booking sites.

→ Search for the best hotel prices on HotelsCombined 

When booking accommodation, think about how far the hotel/apartment is from the city center and the activities you want to do. Sometimes, booking a hotel that’s way cheaper will end up costing more than a slightly-more-expensive hotel if you need to shell out extra dough to get yourself places.

Think about how much time you’ll be spending in the hotel. If you’re planning to be out and about all day, why book a fancy room when all you’ll be doing is sleeping and showering there?

We book over-the-top resorts/hotels when we know for a fact that we’ll be able to enjoy all the amenities. Like that time in Bali we stayed at a resort with our own private pool, lush jungle views, and multiple infinity pools. But we were planning on spending an entire day taking advantage of the hotel so it made sense. In Tokyo when we’re out stuffing our faces all day? Not so much. 

plan for trip essay

A few additional places we look for accommodation:

Hotel Tonight : My go-to for last minute deals.  Think road-tripping and spontaneous weekend trips.  We once paid $23 for a (really nice) hotel in Reno, Nevada.  You can now check and book up to seven days in advance. Top tip: download the app in advance in case you’re stuck without wifi for a bit.  Use my promo code JKLEINER for a free $25 towards your first booking.

AirBnB : In some cases, we find ourselves wanting a more local experience, so we look to AirBnB for an apartment or condo. With AirBnB, you can rent out private rooms, entire apartments, and even full houses! We’ve had some fantastic experiences and wonderful hosts, and saved a ton of money!  Save an additional $40 off your first stay here !

My number 1 tip: heavily research where you are staying – read all the reviews and make sure the property owner is readily available to contact. Always check the cancellation policy. 

→ New to AirBnB? We’re giving you a coupon of $40 off your first stay of $75 or more !

Expedia : So great for package deals, as you can literally saves 100’s by purchasing flight and hotel together.  Plus, with their rewards program, you can store your points for even greater savings down the line.

Step 11: Get Vaccinated/Medications if Needed

It’s always wise to schedule a travel appointment with your doctor so you can decide what’s best when it comes to vaccinations and precautionary medications with trained medical staff. In addition, I always check the CDC website for recommendations on the such.

Some are more standard vaccines you can get with your primary care doctor, but others (like Yellow Fever for our upcoming trip to Africa), you’ll need to arrange for in advance.

plan for trip essay

It’s wise to know which vaccines you’ll need early-ish on in the travel planning process, as some need to be specifically ordered and other vaccinations you’ll need multiple, specifically timed spaced-out appointments. Some vaccines are only recommended if you’re visiting particular parts of a country, so don’t feel like you need to get them all if you aren’t even visiting the infected areas.

In addition, research if you need to show proof of vaccines upon arrival into a particular country (they may not let you in without the proper documentation). Ack! 

It’s also a wise time to talk to your doctor about any medications (like Malaria pills we took in Thailand and Bali) you may want to bring along.

Step 12: Decide on WiFi/cell service

Some like to be away from it all and go wifi-free, while others will feel more safe and secure knowing they can use their phones. It all comes down to personal preference. I rely on my phone way too much to go completely data-free, so always make sure I have a set plan in place before leaving on any international trip.

Personal Wifi Hotspot

Although you will most likely have wifi at your accommodation, it’s a good idea to bring along a pocket-sized personal WiFi hotspot , to keep you connected during your time abroad. WiFi hotspots are a cost effective option to ensure you can use GPS apps like Google Maps, check your emails, and catch up with friends and family while away.

With this portable device , you’ll have WiFi wherever you go (even if your phone doesn’t have service), unlimited internet (on up to five devices at a time!!!), and it’s fast and reliable. At less than $9 a day, this device can’t really be beat.

Note that some cell phone plans allow for international use, but many of these are costly. I accidentally turned on my phone service for LESS THAN 2 MINUTES once and got charged $150 by my phone carrier! I desperately wished I had a personal WiFi hotspot with me then!

Find more information and plan options here . HIGHLY RECOMMENDED especially when you don’t speak the native language of the country you’re visiting. A true life saver.

plan for trip essay

Other Options

Other options include bringing along an unlocked phone so you can use local SIM cards, and looking for plans which include international data.

If you’re thinking about doing a bunch of international travel over the next few years, it may be worth switching to T-Mobile if the service is decent in your home area. My husband and I currently use T-Mobile, and get access to free data in over 210 countries (excluding the one country I was charged an obscene amount of money in – but that was my fault).

Some teched-out cities even have free wifi throughout the city – need to check beforehand (don’t count on this as it’s a relatively new thing, and I wouldn’t rely on the free wifi in case an emergency occurs).

Psst: I always bring a portable battery charger to recharge throughout the day since I rely on my phone heavily for directions!

Step 13: Research + Map Out Activities/Restaurants

Ohhhh, this is where it gets really fun in my eyes. Activities are the bulk of your trip, and probably the main reason you’re visiting the area (besides the food, of course).

Here’s how I like to do it:

1. First, I do some research on things to do in the area (this includes food tours, beaches, museums, popular attractions, hikes, etc), day trips which peak my interest, and anything else I find exciting on Get Your Guide , Viator , and AirBnB Experiences (use this promo code for $15 off your first AirBnB experience). 

I’m a BIG FAN of Get Your Guide and Viator when it comes to perusing activities and signing up for tours (they have SO many options). I’ve been using both of these sites for years, and can honestly say 99% of the time the tours are downright AWESOME and a good bang for your buck. I like to plan in advance (sometimes too far in advance), and being able to book specific activities (with the ability to cancel if need be) is something I love about Get Your Guide and Viator.

plan for trip essay

I recently started using AirBnB Experiences , as they offer some more local-type experiences, such as cooking classes in chef’s homes (I learned how to make macarons in Paris this way!), photography sessions, and more niche city walks.

I also like to use travel blogs from those writers I trust (not all travel bloggers have the same credibility unfortunately, so if something sounds odd/wacky, I do further research/cross reference facts). In order to do this, I usually google  destination + “blog”, and pick them out one by one in the search results. You tend to get additional tips and insights you normally wouldn’t have on other large-party sites.  

plan for trip essay

Depending on the destination, I’ll peruse Lonely Planet for even more must-do’s. I used to rely on TripAdvisor, but after I learned that many reviews are fake/bought, I stopped using them entirely. 

2. Plot each “attraction/museum/beach/restaurant” on a map → I’ve been using Google Maps lately and love it! If you prefer to use paper maps, get a large one so you can easily see all the spots! But why waste paper and money?

3. Look at the map, and take note as to where these activities fall. I then separate the activities into different areas. This helps figure out which attractions you should see together on a particular day. You don’t wanna be running back and forth across the city/town/destination out of stupidity silliness. Group attractions together that are in the same proximity/close distance.

4. Think about how much time each activity will take. Some attractions will only take a few minutes, while others you may want to devote entire hours. Don’t aim to see a whole bunch of super-intensive things in the same day; try and space them out if you can.

plan for trip essay

5. Star your top “things to do” in each location. These are the things you’ll aim to see on your trip, while the others will be extra bonuses. Because, lets face it, if you only have 3 days in Paris, you probably won’t have time to see all 235232 museums.

At the end of this process, you should have a handful of main activities you wanna check out, as well as a bunch more less time-intensive ones, listed out by location/proximity to each other. 

Depending on the type of traveler you are, you may want to book a few guided tours of the city/area you’re visiting. When I travel (especially on my solo jaunts), I tend to book a few guided tours and day trips. I always meet a few chatty people and end up hanging with them the entire day!

It’s also nice to have someone guide me around for a bit (solo travel gets exhausting). Guided day trips are great if you don’t wanna worry about getting lost on public transport and/or don’t wanna rent a car.

Inspiration for Things to Do/Tours/Day Trips

  • Get Your Guide 
  • Viator  
  • Airbnb experiences
  • Travel Blogs (like mine !)

If there’s a particular + popular restaurant/dining experience your longing after, it’s wise to make a reservation in advance. When we went to Mexico City , we had to book our table a few months ahead of time, and there still wasn’t much availability! 

Step 14: Plan Your Day-to-Day Itinerary

Don’t overplan , but definitely keep track of the tours you booked and other sites on your wishlist. I tend to make exceptionally long Google Docs (for easy access without wifi), and roughly plan out my days. This makes sure I don’t forget what’s going on each day; especially helpful if your trip consists of a few different towns/cities/etc.

I always put the date, day of week, and location in the left column, then details about my day in the right.

Planning your trip and looking for the best Mexico City itinerary?! Whether you’ve got a full week or just 3 days in Mexico City, you can be sure you’ll never be left bored.

Some tours are only offered on certain days, so you may need to play around with your day-to-day itinerary until it works out. 

The example below (a random few days during my two weeks in Croatia ) is not as crazily detailed as my normal ones, but you get the picture:

how to plan a trip itinerary

Once the itinerary is all set, I then go ahead and book all tours and skip-the-line tickets for popular attractions (imagine not booking a ticket in advance for Frida Khalo’s House in Mexico City, the Louvre in Paris, or the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona). Don’t waste your time waiting in line. Spend 3 minutes booking your tickets now and you’ll be thanking yourself later on during your trip.

Step 15: Book a Car Rental (if need be)

Heading off on a road trip (one of my favorite types of trips)? Don’t forget to book a car rental for the duration of your stay! 

In order to save some money, think about if you’ll actually need the car for your entire trip. Are you staying put in your first destination for a few days? Can you get around on foot or inexpensive public transport? Will you really need a car then? Book the car rental for the night before/morning of your first real road trip day.

→ Search for the cheapest car rentals over here !

plan for trip essay

And if you’re primarily visiting one city and doing a few day trips, can you move all your day trips to the beginning/end of your trip to only book the car for 3 days, instead of say 7? It’s silly to pay for an extra day if the car will just sit there all day.

But always check how much a weekly car will cost – sometimes there are deals, and a rental may end up being cheaper in total if you book for longer (crazy, huh?)! It’s wise to think about parking fees and such before getting too excited though.

Additional Reading: Tips and Tricks for your Next Roadtrip

Step 16: Buy travel insurance

Confession time:  I was always that girl who never really understood the value of travel insurance.  Honestly, I thought it was a complete waste of money. After checking out the highly recommended Safety Wing , I finally came to the realization that it really is worth the (small) extra cost, and it’s just plain stupid to travel without. 

Safety Wing is not just for medical insurance, but also helps when luggage is lost, you need to cancel a trip, or when your gear is stolen or damaged when traveling. 

Norway Road Trip Itinerary: All the stops you'll want to make if you've got 10 days in Norway!

Even better, you can purchase at home or overseas (while already traveling) & make claims online from anywhere in the world. There’s really no excuse, especially since the insurance only costs a few dollars a day. You’ll be kicking yourself mid-trip if something goes wrong and you’ve got to pay tons out of pocket.

They say if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.  Now I won’t travel without it. Get a FREE quote . Planning a trip abroad? Just get the insurance. No excuses.

Step 17: Before you go action items

Thought you were done? So close, just a few more things to do when planning a trip! These last-minute items can literally be done in the few days leading up to your trip. Some only take a minute, but are oh-so-important.

  • Tell your credit card companies you’re traveling (you don’t want any cards to get denied because of suspected fraud/theft)
  • Arrange for pets to be watched and plants to be watered.
  • Get familiar with currency rates. They obviously vary from country to country, and can sometimes be as easy as moving the decimal point a few spots, or as confusing as dividing everything by 7.3. Download a currency converter for your phone for easy conversions on the road (I like Currency XE).
  • Learn a few important words/phrases in the local language. I find Duolingo quite fun!
  • Do some research on safety, common scams, and any areas to avoid in the destinations you’re visiting. It’s also wise to check out any cultural norms/basic manners in your destination.
  • Let friends and family know you’re traveling. Be safe – someone at home should always know exactly where you are, especially if you’re traveling solo.
  • Transfer money into Schwab account: remember, this takes a few days, so be sure to transfer as much cash as you think you’ll need for the beginning of your trip. I like to make it easy and just do one bulk transfer before we leave. Remember, using Schwab saves you all those precious ATM fees!

plan for trip essay

  • Buy necessary items: Depending on where you’re going, you may need to pack something specific. Traveling internationally? You’ll most likely need a plug adaptor ( this one works in all countries ) and possibly a converter for voltage. You’ll probably wanna pack a wide-brimmed hat and reef-safe sunscreen for warm-weather destinations. A sarong to cover up with for visiting temples in Asia. 
  • Credit cards you are bringing
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Rough itinerary
  • Flight/Hotel/Activity reservations 

I also like to print out a copy (or 2) of my passport and keep in a separate place. If I’m keeping my passport in my purse with me, I also put a copy in my suitcase/husband’s carryon just in case.

plan for trip essay

A REALLY IMPORTANT EXTRA TIP: Figure out how you’ll get to your accommodation/into the city from the airport before you take off. The last thing you wanna do when you’re completely drained from sitting on the plane for 10 hours (with potential jet lag) is to figure out how to get to your first stop.

Be kind to yourself and at least write it down (on your handy-dandy Google Doc) beforehand. Consider the time you’re arriving, as public transport may not work all hours of the night.

Step 18: Start Packing!

Phew – so close! I suggest starting to take things out a few days before your trip so you don’t forget anything important. Make sure you’ve got your passport, additional form of ID, copies of credit cards and other documents, and your itinerary. You’ll also want to check the plug/socket type and make sure you have one/a few which fit.

plan for trip essay

A few of my top packing tips:

  • Know your airline’s baggage fee policy. Don’t wanna show up at the airport expecting to get 2 huge suitcases for free and end up having to pay $$$ for them. A great list can be found here , but it’s always wise to triple check on the actual airline website.
  • Pack light. Most people take way more than they actually need. Think about the activities you planned earlier, and pack according to that. Put everything on your bed and take out half of the clothing you think you need (yes, half). Not only will this reduce potential fees at the airport, but it’ll make it easier to get around with less baggage.
  • Keep all your absolute essentials and one change of clothes in a carry-on. Lost baggage happens; don’t let it ruin your trip. Always keep medications and expensive electronics on your body, as well as a toothbrush!
  • Come prepared. We always take along something for motion sickness, altitude sickness, stomach bugs (anti-diarrheal), and other general over-the-counter meds including fever-reducers, pain reliever (Tylenol or motrin), an antihistamine, and antibiotic ointment. Throw a bunch of band aids in your bag as well. You just never know what’ll happen and if you’ll have access to these quickly and easily on the road.
  • Use packing cubes. I don’t know how I managed to travel before packing cubes came into my life. They are oh so helpful for organization and to keep my bag from exploding. And if you haven’t ordered packing cubes in time, you can always use large plastic bags. Better yet, roll your clothes into packing cubes and you’ll be golden.

Step 19: And you’re off!

You did it! You planned your trip! Now go enjoy the fruits of your labor and have the time of your life! Just remember to stay safe and take lots of photos! Be sure to read how to stay entertained on long flights before you leave so you’re first 3, 7, or 10 hours of travel isn’t a complete bore!

Hope this ridiculously detailed guide on how to plan a trip helped! Where are you hoping to travel soon?! Now, go help a friend plan a trip, pronto!

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June 15, 2020 at 5:27 am

This is so so so helpful! I am a hyper planner as well so this is pretty much exactly what I do. Love this!

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June 16, 2020 at 9:15 pm

Yassss! Planners unite! Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but then I go ahead and plan the best trips!

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August 5, 2020 at 12:33 pm

Planners unite! Everyone thinks I’m crazy!

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September 22, 2020 at 5:24 am

Hi jess, Amazing post! You share some useful blog every time. I appreciate your planning and Your planning always working for me. Thank you for sharing your travel plan.

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January 24, 2021 at 4:18 am

An informative read Jess. You’ll have to visit Tenerife one day and do a review of the island.

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March 21, 2021 at 9:55 am

I plan to travel to Croatia in 2022. Yes it is more than a year upfront. I like your blogs a lot and will definitely use them. Any suggestions for traveling the Croatian coastline. Want to fly to Rome and travel per train to Venice and from there with a bus/train to a destination in Croatia where I can rent a car. Preferably Poreč then Pula and all along the coast to Rijeka to Zadar, Split and all the way to Dubrovnik.

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December 29, 2023 at 6:34 pm

Hi Jessica! Thank you so much for this article – it was very informative! My husband and I are planning on taking a trip to Japan in Spring of 2025. Do you speak Japanese? If not, did you find it difficult navigating the county? I am trying to figure out if I should book a tour group, or if we would be okay just going by ourselves. 🙂 Thanks so much for your help!

December 29, 2023 at 6:36 pm

Sorry! This comment was supposed to be on your Japan article! I don’t know how to fix it. LOL.

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  • Travelling Essay

500 Words Essay On Travelling

Many people travel for different purposes. Whether it is for a business trip or a holiday trip, we see people travelling often. Some people prefer a hilly area for travelling while the others like travelling to places with beaches. In this travelling essay, we will look at the importance of travelling and how it has changed ever since the old times.

travelling essay

Importance of Travelling Essay

While the reasons for travelling are many, we must not forget that it can be a refreshing experience. Travelling is an experience that can teach us so many things that you cannot possibly learn while living at home.

Firstly, it teaches you how to make new friends . The world is full of people who love interacting. You get to make friends when you travel to new places and spend quality time with them.

Moreover, it also helps you enhance your social skills. After that, travelling is great for learning new skills. For instance, going to mountain regions teaches you how to trek. Similarly, going to beaches helps you learn scuba diving or surfing.

You can also enjoy the beauty of nature when you travel. Similarly, you get to explore nature like never before and find discover the earth’s beauty. Travelling also helps us understand people.

After you spend time at a new place, you interact with the local people of the place. You learn so much about them and their culture. It makes you more open-minded and be mindful of the culture and beliefs of different people.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Travelling: Then vs. Now

Travelling has changed significantly thanks to technology. In the earlier days, it was not easy to travel. Travelling on foot or on animals was the only option back then. Ships were also an option but they were too risky.

Further, people use bullocks and horse carts and even camels to travel. Sled was an option for people travelling to snow-covered regions. Moreover, it was a hassle to travel even to a short distance as it consumed too much time.

However, with the changing times and revolutionary technology , travelling has become one of the easiest things to do. There are so many new ways and means to travel that the travel game has changed drastically.

We can board a variety of vehicles now to travel such as bus, train, truck, aeroplane, submarine, hovercraft, and more. You can reach a place far away within no time thanks to all these transport options.

Further, there are no barriers now. You can use online maps and translators when travelling to a different city or country to help you. Cab service and food service is readily available too. Thus, travelling is very easy now thanks to technology.

Conclusion of Travelling Essay

All in all, travelling can be a fun and learning experience for everyone now. Moreover, with technology, you can travel to any corner of the world without having to worry about barriers of language, distance, and more. Everyone must travel at least once in their life to enjoy an unforgettable experience.

FAQ of Travelling Essay

Question 1: Why is travelling important?

Answer 1: Travelling is important as it teaches us a lot of things. You can learn new skills, new languages, new cultures. Moreover, you get to make new friends and try out new foods when you travel to a new place. It can be a real learning experience for all.

Question 2: How is travelling different now?

Answer 2: Travelling has changed drastically thanks to technology. Earlier, people had to take animals to travel to a new place and it would be time-consuming. Now, there are many transport options available that help you reach within no time. Further, the internet has made travelling easier by offering maps, translation apps, food services, cab services, etc. available at our fingertips.

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Short Essay on My Adventurous Trip [100, 200, 400 Words] With PDF

Trips are a very essential part of our life. And if those trips have full of adventures, that bring more joy to us. In this lesson today, you will learn how to write short essays on an Adventurous trip . 

Feature image of Short Essay on Adventurous Trip

Short Essay on My Adventurous Trip in 100 Words

Every trip is an adventure and gives us joy. Going out on vacation may not mean a trip. A trip with adventures is completely different. Sometimes the vacation trip also becomes adventurous. Lots of things happen that amaze us. Also in adventures, many dangers take place.

I remember such an adventure I had. It was a horseback ride in the mountains. I was very young when we visited Shimla. We went to the Rohtang Pass. It snowed heavily that day. There was snow all around. So we had to take horses. We climbed high up the mountain. It was so lovely to see nature. I loved it. I remember my horseback ride till now.

Short Essay on My Adventurous Trip in 200 Words

I still remember one thrilling adventurous trip I had. I got scared when it happened. But I also enjoyed it a lot. I was very young when I visited Shimla. I did not know that the adventure would happen. So I just went on a vacation. We had a wonderful train journey to Shimla. Reaching there, we decided to visit Rohtang Pass.

I was so excited! We took a car and went to the slopes. I looked out of the windows. The car was gradually rising to the top. The road was spiel, like a big snake. Soon we reached the hilltop. I jumped out. That day it snowed. So it was all white. I was so happy to see the scene. Then we took a horse to ride. That was the greatest adventure I ever had. It slowly walked up the mountain.

I looked at the sides and saw how deep it was. I felt scared. Suddenly I could not breathe anymore. I felt sick and almost fell off the horseback. My father immediately held me and we came down the slopes. I fainted due to no air. When I got well, the people served me hot soup. He said I was too little. So I easily caught a cold. I still remember how dangerous it was. But still, this adventure is a great memory.

Short Essay on My Adventurous Trip in 400 Words

Adventure and trip are closely connected to each other. It is really hard to avoid adventure from a trip. We often go on vacations. But these are only for fun. So a trip with adventure is different. Adventure makes us a different person. We become strong and brave in an adventure. It is very important to have it in our lives. An adventure is always exciting and amazing.

I was also lucky to have an adventure in my life. I was very little then and did not know about it.  It suddenly happened. We went to Shimla that year. Shimla is always a great place to have fun. And it was the best vacation of my life. My father got us the tickets and we packed our bags. We took the train and went straight from Kolkata to Shimla. I enjoyed the view outside. It was wonderful. When we reached there, I jumped in joy. After two days of reaching Manali, All of us decided to visit it.

We planned to go to Rohtang Pass first. We started our journey. A car was booked. We took it and went to Rohtang. The road was like a snake. It was the first adventure I had there. It went slowly to the hilltop. I felt the cool breeze and looked out. It was so pretty. When we reached the top, I jumped out. It snowed that day. I started playing with it. 

But the biggest adventure came after this. We had to take horses to go to the hilltop. I have seen horses in books. But had never ridden them. I clapped my hands in joy. My father and I got onto one. It slowly started moving. I touched the soft mane of the horse and it neighed. Soon we were at the top of the mountain. I looked down and got scared. It was dark. Long waterfalls were falling from the top. I stared at it. Suddenly I could not breathe. I tried hard but failed.

I soon fainted and was about to fall off horseback. But my father immediately caught me and we came down. The people nearby helped me and I opened my eyes. I had turned blue for no air. The people gave me hot soup to drink and feel warm. Gradually I felt better. After this, we left for our hotels. That day I was scared, but today I feel it as my best adventure. I will never forget this wonderful trip.

In this lesson above, I have tried to discuss the topic in a very simple and engaging language to make it easier to understand for all kinds of students. If you still have any doubts regarding this session, you can always post your queries down in the comment section below. To read more such sessions on various important topics, keep browsing our website.

Join us on Telegram to get the latest updates on our upcoming sessions. Thank you for being with us. All the best for your exam.

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Essay on Planning A Trip With Friends

Students are often asked to write an essay on Planning A Trip With Friends in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Planning A Trip With Friends

Choosing the destination.

When planning a trip with friends, picking where to go is the first step. Everyone should suggest places and then vote. The spot with the most votes wins. It’s important to think about cost, distance, and what everyone likes.

Setting a Budget

Money is key for any trip. Talk with your friends about how much each person can spend. This includes travel, food, and fun activities. Stick to the budget so no one overspends.

Packing Essentials

Packing is crucial. Make a list of what you need like clothes, snacks, and a camera. Share the list with friends to ensure nothing is forgotten.

Enjoying the Trip

Once the planning is done, enjoy your adventure. Take lots of pictures, try new things, and make memories. Remember, the goal is to have fun with your friends.

250 Words Essay on Planning A Trip With Friends

Choosing a destination.

Money is important when you plan a trip. You and your friends need to decide how much each person can spend. Think of it as a piggy bank; if everyone puts in the same amount, you’ll know how much you can use for the trip. This helps in picking activities and places to stay that are not too costly.

Making a Plan

After you know where you’re going and how much you can spend, you need to make a plan. This is like drawing a map for a treasure hunt. You decide what roads to take, where to eat, and what fun things you want to do. Make sure the plan is not too tight; keep some time free for rest or surprises.

Packing Right

Packing is like picking the right tools for an adventure. You and your friends should pack clothes that fit the weather of the place you’re visiting. Also, don’t forget chargers, snacks, and maybe a camera to capture the fun moments.

Staying Safe

Safety is key. You all should know about the place you’re visiting. Share your plan with family and make sure at least one friend has a map and knows how to get help if needed. Stick together and look out for each other.

Planning a trip with friends can be as fun as the trip itself. Talk openly, make smart choices, and be ready for an adventure. Remember, the goal is to create happy memories together!

500 Words Essay on Planning A Trip With Friends

Introduction to trip planning.

The first step is to decide where you want to go. Sit down with your friends and talk about places you all would like to visit. It could be a beach, a mountain, or a city you all have been dreaming about. Make sure the place you pick is one that everyone can enjoy. Once you have a few options, vote on them or choose the one that most friends agree on.

Money can be a tricky topic, but it’s important to talk about it. Everyone should be clear on how much they can spend. When you know your budget, you can plan for things like travel, food, and where you will stay. Try to find ways to save money, like sharing rooms or looking for deals on tickets.

Getting Ready to Go

Packing is a big part of getting ready for your trip. Make a list of what you need to bring, like clothes, snacks, and games for the road. Don’t forget important things like your ID or a camera to take pictures. It’s also smart to have a first-aid kit just in case someone gets a small cut or scrape.

Staying Safe and Having Fun

When you’re on your trip, it’s important to stay safe. Stick together and look out for each other. Always tell someone where you’re going if you decide to explore on your own. And most importantly, have fun! Enjoy every moment, take lots of photos, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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5 Must-Visit Northeast Cideries for Your Next Fall-Foliage Road Trip

Fall colors only last a short time, so make the most of a leaf peeping trip by stopping at a few cideries in the Northeast for a delicious detour.

Food & Wine / Getty Images

Leaf peeping is one of autumn’s greatest delights, nowhere more so than in the Northeast of the United States. Fiery crimsons, buttery yellows, and outrageous oranges streak across the landscape. They transform forests into brilliant scenes that intensify as the air turns colder.

Another great autumnal staple can be just as delightful — drinking cider. Hard cider, one of the United States’ most beloved beverage traditions , dates to the colonial era and is produced in all 50 states. The New England region made up of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island boasts some of the most epic fall foliage routes in the world. Similar vibrance often extends into New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The area also happens to offer several cideries worthy of a detour.

“Leaf peepers come every fall,” says Stephen Wood, who co-owns Poverty Lane Orchards and Farnum Hill Ciders with his wife, Louisa Spencer, in Lebanon, New Hampshire. “The reason they come is that it is stunningly beautiful in the fall here.”

Wood has grown apples since the 1960s, and he’s made cider since the 1990s. He says the Northeast offers a unique opportunity to marvel in nature’s wonders. “It’s lovely here in the fall, and lovely in ways that other places aren’t,” he says. Crisp evenings and sun-filled autumn days make for perfect apple growing conditions. 

“The Northeast is a classic, temperate climate — hot, bright summers; cool, crisp autumns; plenty of water; and cold winters,” says Autumn Stoscheck, owner and cider maker at Eve’s Cidery in Van Etten, New York. “Apples love it here,” she says, as evidenced by the millions of apple trees growing in the wild.

Whether you’re road-tripping through the Northeast this autumn for the views or brews, here are a few cideries to visit between vistas. 

Absolem Cider (Winthrop, Maine)

Courtesy of Ben Macri

For the earliest start to the season, head north. “Apples are available starting in mid-August running all the way [until] the end of October,” says Zachary Kaiser, co-founder and cider maker at Absolem. However, wait too long and many farms run out of apples. “Oftentimes in New England, PYO [pick-your-own] can be finished by early November.”

Maine’s high latitude and rugged coast means leaf-peeping season can sometimes run for two months, often a full month longer than other lauded leaf locations. It also gives Maine-grown cider apples a nice acidic bite reminiscent of Western European white wines and Eastern European orange wines, says Kaiser. He suggests a high-acid or high- tannin cider, such as Absolem’s foraged apple-based Wendel, paired with Maine’s most famous culinary tradition: lobster rolls. 

West County Cider (Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts)

John Greim /LightRocket via Getty Images

If you’re driving east on Route 2 from Lancaster, Massachusetts, along the popular fall foliage road toward Turner’s Falls, continue 10 miles or so until you reach Shelburne Falls, home of West County Cider. The tiny farmhouse offers wine-inspired ciders grown and pressed locally. As delicious as they are, the surroundings are even more breathtaking. A panoramic view from the tasting room overlooks three states, and there are plenty of picnic tables and hiking trails to experience the full range of autumn color.

Eden Ciders (Newport, Vermont)

Courtesy of Ellen Mary Cronin

The trek up Vermont’s Route 100 is world-famous for a reason. The 216-mile road winds through the heart of Vermont and boasts some of the most breathtaking foliage, complete with classic scenes of covered bridges, barns, and rolling hills at every turn. Don’t rush the trip, but make an appointment for a guided tasting and tour at Eden Specialty Ciders’ Newport location. Its ice ciders are some of the best in the world, and they can help to take some of the crisp fall chill out of the air. If the trek to Newport, near the Canadian border, is a bit much, stop instead at Eden’s tasting room in Shelburne, shared with Iapetus Wines and Shelburne Vineyard.

Farnum Hill Ciders (Lebanon, New Hampshire)

Courtesy of Farnum Hill Ciders

Some ciders go big on agri-tainment during the fall, complete with tractor rides, apple cider donuts, and corn mazes. But Wood says at Poverty Lane Orchards and Farnum Hill Ciders, they’re apple growers first. Still, “people have a blast here,” he says. “We let [kids] run out into the woods, fall down, scrape their knees … we have a lot of people who love that.” The pet- and kid-friendly farm stand opened on September 7, so bring a picnic.

Eve’s Cidery (Van Etten, New York)

Courtesy of Autumn Stoscheck

Of the 11 Finger Lakes in New York, Cayuga Lake is both the biggest and serves as centerpiece of the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, an 87-mile loop dotted with wineries and cideries. The western side features the Finger Lakes Cider Trail , a collection of farms, orchards, and cideries in the heart of apple country. Just south of the lake’s tip is Van Etten, home to Eve’s Cidery. Owner Autumn Stoscheck says apples in the Northeast “tend to have higher acids, softer tannins and a bit lower sugar levels than apples growing in warmer climates.” This allows makers like herself to create bright and acidic ciders with varieties like Golden Russet, Northern Spy, and Esopus Spitzenburg. “If you haven't discovered Northeast cider, you're in for a real treat,” she says.

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Wikimedia Commons / LoneStarMike / CC BY 3.0

The 10 Best Views in Austin

Published : September 19, 2024

AAA Travel Editor, WA

Table of contents.

  • Mount Bonnell
  • Zilker Metropolitan Park
  • Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
  • Doug Sahm Hill
  • Lou Neff Point
  • Pennybacker Bridge And Overlook Hike
  • Hippie Hollow Park
  • Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory
  • Barton Creek Square Mall
  •  Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls

Plan Your Trip to Austin with AAA.

Austin is with unique beauty that takes many forms: expansive parks, hidden hiking trails, vibrant murals and much more. There are many ways to enjoy the sights in this remarkable city, but sometimes what you’re looking for is destination with a great view.

No matter how you explore this scenic city, you’ll be able to find plenty of locations with impressive views. To help find the best ones for your trip, we’ve laid out information on the 10 best views in Austin.

plan for trip essay

1. Mount Bonnell

  • Address: 3800 Mt Bonnell Road, Austin
  • Parking: Free parking available near the street at Covert Park

No trip to Austin is truly complete without a visit to the city's highest peak . This is where you can enjoy sweeping views of the city, as well as one of the best sunsets in all of Texas. You'll also get your steps in for the day, as you ascend over 100 steps to reach the peak at Covert Park.

When you reach the top, feel free to rest at one of the conveniently located benches or picnic tables. Information displays provide in-depth insights into the area's fascinating geology, flora and fauna, so take your time and enjoy a remarkable learning experience.

plan for trip essay

2. Zilker Metropolitan Park

  • Address: 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin
  • Parking: Multiple paid lots available within walking distance

Another must-visit for an outdoorsy trip to Austin, Zilker is often referred to as the city's crown jewel. Home to the iconic Barton Springs Pool , this sprawling park is a true oasis. The botanical gardens are worth a visit when you crave lush scenery, but any area within the park is sure to provide a visual feast. Many areas provide extraordinary skyline views which make for a great location to view the impressive sunset.

plan for trip essay

3. Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve

  • Address: 3505 West 35th Street, Austin
  • Parking: Free parking lot and nearby street parking

After you hit up all of Austin's best skyline spots, head for Mayfield Park to enjoy a completely different type of scenery. There, you'll have the chance to gaze at the creek and memorable rock formations as you meander along the well-maintained walking trails.

plan for trip essay

4. Doug Sahm Hill

  • Address: 1000 Barton Springs Road, Austin
  • Parking: Limited parking available at onsite paid lot with additional parking across the street near the Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail

As Butler Metro Park's highest point, Doug Sahm Hill provides the rare opportunity for vacationing parents to have it all: a place to keep kids entertained while also enjoying a few moments of scenic bliss at one of Austin's most beautiful spots.

The area's true visual appeal centers around the hill named after talented musician Doug Sahm. This hill is not particularly difficult to climb and the rewards at the top are considerable: lovely views of Butler Metro Park and the Austin skyline.

plan for trip essay

5. Lou Neff Point

  • Address: 2114 Lou Neff Road, Austin
  • Parking: Nearby paid parking lots available along Lou Neff Road

As one of many highlights along the popular Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail, Lou Neff is something of a hidden gem, tucked away within one of Austin's most expansive green spaces. Named after former Austin Junior League president Lou Neff, this scenic spot reveals where Barton Creek and Lady Bird Lake meet.

Several benches are conveniently located in the most scenic area, making this an ideal resting resting point midway through your walk or bike ride. In addition to spectacular skyline views, this is also a great place to spot ducks and even swans.

plan for trip essay

6. Pennybacker Bridge And Overlook Hike

  • Address: 5200 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin
  • Parking: Free onsite parking lot

Sometimes referred to as the Austin 360 Bridge, Pennybacker Bridge offers sweeping views of both Hill Country and the skyline. It also has a fascinating history as the world's second bridge to be constructed using a cable support system. Stunning views can be expected while driving across the bridge, however, there's an even better way to take in these amazing vistas: while hiking the out-and-back overlook trail. This hike may be busy at sunset, but it's gorgeous any time of day.

plan for trip essay

7. Hippie Hollow Park

  • Address: 7000 Comanche Trail, Austin
  • Parking: Paid lot onsite

There's more to view at Hippie Hollow than steep cliffs or even Lake Travis. This is a clothing-optional destination and, as a strictly 18+ attraction, it's not a family destination. Despite this, many initially skeptical visitors are delighted to discover that they adore this relaxed spot, where nudity is by no means required. The park has friendly vibes and lovely views, so it's worth adding to your itinerary if you're not bothered by its clothing-optional status.

plan for trip essay

8. Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory

  • Address: 2210 South FM 973, Austin
  • Parking: Free parking available onsite

A wastewater treatment plant might not seem like the best place to enjoy top views in Austin, but you will be surprised at how delightful such an unusual destination can be when it involves Austin's Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory. Birdwatchers flock to this area, which attracts all kinds of shorebirds along with beautiful butterflies. This observatory links to the River Trail, which while being short, beckons bird enthusiasts to explore.

plan for trip essay

9. Barton Creek Square Mall

  • Address: 2901 South Capital of Texas Highway, Austin
  • Parking: Extensive onsite parking available in the shopping mall lot

Barton Creek Square is home to typical shopping stores and chains such as Macy's, Nordstrom, Old Navy and the like. This mall's true appeal lies not within its many stores, however, but in the parking lot, which provides surprisingly scenic views of the city. Visit on a Saturday to check out the adjacent Barton Creek Farmers Market, where you'll find an abundance of fresh produce, along with kombucha, chocolate and even live music.

plan for trip essay

10. Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls

  • Address: 3918 South MoPac Expressway, Austin
  • Parking: Free parking available at the dedicated Sculpture Falls lot

Austin is home to many lovely waterfalls — and with the right hike, you can view two within a single expedition. A top section of the Barton Creek Greenbelt will bring you to Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls, which are equally spectacular. The falls themselves are remarkable, but the beauty of this experience also lies in the lush forest and dramatic rock walls. This experience is both scenic and fun, as you can take a refreshing dip in the swimming hole.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Austin today. Dream up the perfect trip and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels , rental cars and entertainment tickets.

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  16. Tips For Planning A Trip: [Essay Example], 635 words

    Start by making a list of everything you need for your trip. It includes tours, walks, meals, clothes that you need to buy, suitcase, travel insurance and everything you can think of. By making a written list, it will be more difficult for you to miss something and you will be able to take more effective control of the logistics.

  17. How to Plan a Vacation Trip: Correct Navigation of the Process

    However, it is crucial to proper understand how to plan a vacation trip. This essay serves as a practical guide to help individuals navigate the process of planning a vacation trip, from selecting the destination to organizing transportation, accommodations, and activities. By following these steps, one can craft a well-structured itinerary ...

  18. How to Plan a Trip like a Pro: Planning a Trip The Easy Way (Step by Step)

    Learn how to plan a trip from scratch, from finding inspiration to booking flights and activities. This web page offers tips, examples, and resources for travel planning, but does not address the limitations of travel due to COVID-19.

  19. Travelling Essay for Students and Children

    Learn why travelling is important and how it has changed with technology in this essay for students and children. Find out the benefits of travelling, such as making friends, learning skills, exploring nature, and understanding culture.

  20. Short Essay on My Adventurous Trip [100, 200, 400 Words] With PDF

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  21. Essay on Planning A Trip With Friends

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  22. How to Plan a Successful Trip

    By doing these following tasks in advance, you will be more likely to have a successful trip: figure out the purpose of a trip, set priorities of places, decide a destination and period of a trip, establish a budget, gather information, and make a schedule with the flow of human traffic line. There are some materials you can use to achieve a ...

  23. The Transbay Tube turns 50: Inside the groundbreaking history and

    The 3.6-mile-long Tube was unlike anything the world had ever seen. At the time, it was the longest immersed tube in the world, a title it held until 2010, and it mystified the public, who were mesmerized by the idea of a miles-long structure sitting 135 feet below the water's surface.

  24. 5 Must-Visit Northeast Cideries for Your Next Fall-Foliage Road Trip

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  25. The 10 Best Views in Austin

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