Things to Think About

The What, When, Where, Why, How & Who Factor

Traveling internationally throughout the world requires a bit of thought. Asking oneself the following questions can help better prepare you for the road that lays ahead so you can enjoy all of the nuances of travel. And don’t forget if you need additional help please utilize our knowledgeable Personal Travel Consultants who are here to assist in getting you on your way.

What Type of Traveler Are You?

Are you ambitious or reserved when in a foreign country. Do you enjoy the thrill of backpacking or are you better suited for rolling your luggage from hotel to hotel? Would you rather trek through the Amazon Forest or relax on the sandy beach of Ipanema.

The great thing is that a different experience awaits every traveler, and there is something out there for all of us regardless of whom you are and where you come from.

Laid-Back Traveler

Do you prefer to go with the flow when you arrive to your destinations? Taking it easy while maintaining an “anything goes” mind set is part of who you are.

First Time Traveler

Will this be your first time traveling internationally? Traveling abroad for the first time may appear to be a daunting and stressful task. Your first step will be to figure out when and where you want to travel, and then allow AirTreks to alleviate your stress by constructing the perfect air itinerary so you can set your mind at ease. Traveling is fun as well as the planning of it, so don’t let the experience be a burden in your life.

Risk-Taking Traveler

Do you enjoy living on the edge? Are you more interested in confronting the mountain’s peak head on as you ascend it rather than relaxing on a white-sandy beach soaking up warm rays? Would you pitch a tent at night in the Venezuelan Rain Forest so you could listen to the sounds of the wildlife while eating a Theraphosa Blondi tarantula? Then you’re a risk taker, and you’ll do yourself good by finding those destinations sure to give you the thrills you desire.

When should you travel?

The best answer is “when you are ready”. Traveling is a way to liberate oneself from the monotony of our daily routines and experience new adventures. Getting away should be on your own terms, although a little spontaneity brought on because an old friend from college invites you to go on an around-the-world could be a perfect reason to consider taking off.

Timing is key so do some research. Every day is a holiday somewhere in the world. That can be fun if you're forewarned and prepared, but a problem if you aren't prepared and everything is closed when you arrive because of a holiday you've never heard of. EarthCalendar.net has dates and details of holidays and festivals around the world by date, country, and religion. It might be displeasing to later learn you barely missed the annual Rio de Janeiro Carnival celebration by a couple weeks because you forgot to plan ahead.

Acquire a better understanding of weather, seasonality and climate conditions for your destinations. It's easy to learn about the current world weather conditions, but more difficult to predict conditions a year or even months from your planned visit. To aid your search, WorldClimate.com has a very useful online guide to typical temperatures and precipitation by month at thousands of weather stations around the world. This will help you form a decision on when it is right to go, but remember that just about any time is as good as any to get away.

Where to travel?

Where would you like to go? The world is a big place with many amazing micro worlds and climates within reach. People from different walks of life, unique cultures and languages, animals, plants and jungles, mountain ranges, beaches, oceans, tastes, smells and the many endless marvels throughout our planet provide travelers with a continuous journey. Read about places and real experiences where some of our travelers have gone or are going, or start your own free Travel Journal and write about the memorable places you have traveled or will travel to.

Planning your ideal travel route ahead of time can make your trip more enjoyable as well as less expensive.

Why go there?

The simplest answer? Because you deserve to see the world!

Many of us go because we crave the world around us, opting to sense new experiences, unique cultures and people, sweeping landscapes, perhaps natural environments that are quickly vanishing, “1,000 places to see before we die”, 7 Wonders of the World, tracing our family history, or adding stamps to our passports.

There are endless reasons to travel and the many benefits of going are usually life lasting and life changing. Unique travel experiences and memories gained are both irreplaceable and rewarding, making your travel investment even more valuable.

How long should you go for?

This all depends on your situation. Are you strapped down by your career and in need of a long overdue sabbatical or dream trip? Do you only have 2-3 weeks set aside for travel per year? Are you starting a family soon and thinking this might be your best opportunity to travel throughout the world?

No need to worry - your trip begins with these questions, so be realistic on how long you can travel for while considering all that you will leave behind (e.g. bills, job, pets, etc.). We have people from both ends of the spectrum who travel for many years or as little as a few weeks.

Who to Travel With vs. Going Solo?

Traveling solo or to go with others is a question to ask oneself. Both are very different ways to travel so think about what you would like out of the experience.

Traveling with one other person or more can be exciting. Sharing in new experiences with others makes for great conversation while away and after you return, and may help give assurances that what you’re doing is right. Imagine the bliss one feels when Peru’s Machu Picchu appears during the highly anticipated trek, or the sense of accomplishment one gets when reaching the top of Ethiopia’s Mt. Kilimanjaro – Would you rather experience this magic alone or with someone you know?

On the other hand, the excitement of traveling solo is unparalleled. Many claim it’s the ultimate way of being completely in the moment, undiluted, and lacking any distraction otherwise felt with a travel companion. Soloing allows for complete control of one’s schedule and yields the freedom to do what one wants, when one wants it, as well as meet other souls on the road.