• About
  • Mini Guides
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Canadian Rockies, Canada
  • Charleston, South Carolina
  • Denver, Colorado
  • Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Florence, Italy
  • Huatulco, Mexico
  • Ireland
  • Joshua Tree, California
  • Martha's Vineyard
  • Maui, Hawaii
  • Modena, Italy
  • Newport, Rhode Island
  • New York City
  • North Island, New Zealand
  • Portland, Oregon
  • Punta Cana, DR
  • San Francisco
  • Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
  • Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
  • In the Works
  • Services
  • Blog
  • contact
Menu

Type A Trips

Street Address
San Diego, CA
Phone Number
a highly detailed, luxury travel blog for those who want to take amazing vacations

Your Custom Text Here

Type A Trips

  • About
  • Mini Guides
    • Santorini
    • Marrakech, Morocco
    • London, England
    • Siena, Italy
    • Cinque Terre, Italy
    • Rome, Italy
    • Beverly Hills / Hollywood, CA
  • Guides
    • Barcelona, Spain
    • Canadian Rockies, Canada
    • Charleston, South Carolina
    • Denver, Colorado
    • Edinburgh, Scotland
    • Florence, Italy
    • Huatulco, Mexico
    • Ireland
    • Joshua Tree, California
    • Martha's Vineyard
    • Maui, Hawaii
    • Modena, Italy
    • Newport, Rhode Island
    • New York City
    • North Island, New Zealand
    • Portland, Oregon
    • Punta Cana, DR
    • San Francisco
    • Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
    • Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
    • In the Works
  • Services
  • Blog
  • contact

Travel Planning - My Top 6 Tips for How to Prepare for a Major Trip

June 10, 2015 Aimee Slade

In a very short few months, my husband and I will be taking an adventure of a lifetime - 4 weeks in Australia and New Zealand! I've been in hard core planning mode since November (yes, 7 months!) and I can finally see the landing gear in the horizon. People ask me all the time, what now? Now that all of the hotels are booked and reservations are made, what's next? Well, in my opinion, reservations are just half the battle - it takes well executed end game that really solidifies a perfectly planned trip. So, here's a glimpse into the mind of a Type A trip planner...

1. Print all confirmations and communication.

Go through an highlight important details (dates, addresses, confirmation numbers, check in/out times, etc.). I realize that you can use TripIt and you can absolutely put all of this information into a spreadsheet, but I can't trust electronic connectivity overseas, so I prefer to print them and always have them handy.  I'm sorry if my paper waste offends you, but I do buy recycled paper.

2. Create a Packing List.

Include items based on necessities, weather and activities. Keep it accessible so you can add items as you think about it. I prefer to create a Google Doc spreadsheet that I can share with my travel partners so they can add items to the list as well. I also go as far as scheduling a test pack 1 week prior to leaving so that I'm not freaking out because I can't fit it all the night before we leave. 

3. Create a Wish List.

This is  the items you'd like to buy before going, but are truly optional. Some items on my list include a new bathing suite, an underwater camera, a new wide angle lens, a small collapsable cooler (so I can buy perishable goods along the way), etc. This way I can start accumulating them as budget and space allow. 

4. Start a To Do List.

These are all things you don't want to forget before leaving.  Your mind turns to mush with excitement and anxiety right before a trip and you end up with Home Alone moments where you leave your kid behind if you're not careful.  Ok, that's a bit extreme, but this is a piece-of- mind list that helps you to not forget the important little pre-departure details.  Items on my list include: Get $100 cash and small bills, call credit card companies, make copies of passports and insurance cards, give a copy of itinerary to family, lock all doors and windows, buy extra pet food, put away message on email, etc.  

5. Map Out Your Destination.

Create a customizeable Google Map of all the places you will be going and want to go including hotels, restaurants, sites and attractions, etc.  You can click here for a full post about how to do it. I use this as a constant reference tool so that wherever I am, I have a list of places nearby to eat, shop and see based on my personal preferences and research. I also print detailed directions/instructions for getting to/from the airport and any locations you may have trouble finding along the way. Like I said, I don't trust having cell/wireless connection while traveling abroad so I prefer to be extra prepared so I don't end up lost, wasting valuable travel time. 

6. Finalize Your Budget.

Setting my travel budget is one of the first things I do at the beginning of my trip planning process, but it always changes over time and money is not something I ever like to be surprised by.  I start by listing out expenses by day... hotel cost, activities, rental car, flights, food, etc. Many of these are estimates based on the itinerary, so it won't always be exact, but at least it's close. I also include a column to mark what items have already been paid so that I can have a strong plan for what bills I will be returning to after the trip.  The last thing I want is to come home to thousands of dollars in credit card bills unexpectedly - so planning and saving for the right amount is key. This is also the point that I make sure to talk through the final budget with my travel buddies (in this case my husband) so that we are fully on the same page when it comes to what the end cost will be and how the money is being allotted. Sometimes we agree to cut costs in certain areas to increase in others or we decide that we are under budget and can make reservations at that really nice restaurant we heard about.  Budgeting can be annoying, but it's way scarier to come home to a pile of debt - definitely not a souvenir you want to bring back! 

Well, there you have it; all my anal, mind numbing, overthought pre-trip planning tips. If you would like to use one of my many templates that I've created, just shoot me an email - I'm happy to share! 

In Type A Tips Tags planning, organizing, how to prepare for a trip, travel, travel tips, type a travel, type a trips, Aimee Slade, top tips, travel planning
← The Complete Travel Guide to Denver - Updated!Eat. Drink. Read. - A Culinary Event for Literacy in San Diego →
 
 

TOPICS

  • Destinations 34
  • Type A Tips 30
  • Lodging 16
  • Just Me 13
  • Food 12
  • Experiences 8
 

ARCHIVES

  • 2018 3
  • 2017 3
  • 2016 17
  • 2015 23
  • 2014 37
 
 
 

INSTAGRAM

Most people think of #Queenstown when it comes to the South Island, but I much prefer #Arrowtown, a quaint foodie paradise surrounded by giant hillsides and only 25 minutes from Queenstown. The @millbrookresort is gorgeous and has everything ready for a relaxing stay - including a Whiskey bar near the water, award winning restaurants and world renown spa (that was fully booked so unfortunately I can’t write about my own experience). Waking up to views like this, I may never leave!

#typeatrips #southisland #southislandnz #southislandnewzealand #travel #newzealand #luxurytravel #beautifuldestinations #sunrise
Most people think of #Queenstown when it comes to the South Island, but I much prefer #Arrowtown, a quaint foodie paradise surrounded by giant hillsides and only 25 minutes from Queenstown. The @millbrookresort is gorgeous and has everything ready for a relaxing stay - including a Whiskey bar near the water, award winning restaurants and world renown spa (that was fully booked so unfortunately I can’t write about my own experience). Waking up to views like this, I may never leave! #typeatrips #southisland #southislandnz #southislandnewzealand #travel #newzealand #luxurytravel #beautifuldestinations #sunrise
I just celebrated my 34th birthday (mid thirties - yay 😑) and I’m not sure what the future holds for me, the blog, my career or anything else in life, so I’ll continue to take it day by day, moment by moment, view by view, being intentional with those who I cross paths with and choosing love and kindness first. Cheers to year 34 🥂 
#newzealand #southisland #lakepukaki #lakepukakinz #southislandnewzealand #travel #travelblogger #typeatrips #birthdaygirl
I just celebrated my 34th birthday (mid thirties - yay 😑) and I’m not sure what the future holds for me, the blog, my career or anything else in life, so I’ll continue to take it day by day, moment by moment, view by view, being intentional with those who I cross paths with and choosing love and kindness first. Cheers to year 34 🥂 #newzealand #southisland #lakepukaki #lakepukakinz #southislandnewzealand #travel #travelblogger #typeatrips #birthdaygirl
This is a spot I never get tired of photographing. The #sydneyoperahouse is truly stunning from every angle at all times of the day... now if only I could figure out how to make my selfies look this good 🤷🏻‍♀️ #sydney #sydneyaustralia #australia #sydneyphotography #travelblogger #luxurytravel #typeatrips
This is a spot I never get tired of photographing. The #sydneyoperahouse is truly stunning from every angle at all times of the day... now if only I could figure out how to make my selfies look this good 🤷🏻‍♀️ #sydney #sydneyaustralia #australia #sydneyphotography #travelblogger #luxurytravel #typeatrips
 

PREVIOUS POSTS

Featured
A Majestic Afternoon with Canadian Rockies Photographer Celestine Aerden
First-Timer's Travel Guide to the Canadian Rockies
The Ultimate Travel Guide to Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico - 2018's Premiere Foodie Destination
All You Need to Know to Plan an Epic Vacation to Joshua Tree, California
All You Need to Know to Plan an Epic Vacation to Joshua Tree, California
Montage Palmetto Bluff - South Carolina's Ultimate Luxury Escape & the Perfect Fall Travel Destination
Montage Palmetto Bluff - South Carolina's Ultimate Luxury Escape & the Perfect Fall Travel Destination
Ireland Travel Guide Now Available
New Type A Travel Guide - Charleston, South Carolina
New Type A Travel Guide - Charleston, South Carolina
Happy Thanksgiving & Thank You for All You've Blessed Me With

TYPE A TRIPS NEWSLETTER

Sign up with your email address to receive the latest Type A Trips travel news and updates. 

I'm not a spammer and hate being bombarded with emails, so my promise to you is to NEVER send more than 1 update per week. 

I respect your privacy and will not share your info with anyone; that would just be a mean thing to do. 

Thank you!
Blog
A Majestic Afternoon with Canadian Rockies Photographer Celestine Aerden
about 3 months ago
First-Timer's Travel Guide to the Canadian Rockies
about 3 months ago
The Ultimate Travel Guide to Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico - 2018's Premiere Foodie Destination
about 11 months ago
All You Need to Know to Plan an Epic Vacation to Joshua Tree, California
about a year ago
Montage Palmetto Bluff - South Carolina's Ultimate Luxury Escape & the Perfect Fall Travel Destination
about a year ago

ALL PHOTOS AND CONTENT ARE THE PROPERTY OF TYPE A ENTERPRISES. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE OR DUPLICATE CONTENT, PLEASE ASK FIRST.