How I Choose Where to Travel Next

I was looking through my photo archives from 2023 and realized I had a great travel year. London, New York, Mexico, Chicago, and South Africa. I’m more than happy with the opportunities I had last year and the content I produced from those destinations. London was an entire week, New York was three days, and Chicago was only one day to shoot. Mexico was another whole week, a return to where we were the year prior, and the week in South Africa was the trip that surpassed all my expectations. Overall, 2023 was fantastic.

As I write this, it’s mid-March. 25% of the year is almost over, and I’ve been looking at new trips for 2024. But how do I choose where to go with so many destinations available? Let’s look at five considerations.

1. Total Cost

It would be unfair not to mention how expensive travel can be, and that’s especially true for Canadians, especially if they are travelling east. Europe is primarily the location Lisa and I choose to visit. There is much to explore and experience that differs from here in Canada. We enjoy the history and culture of every new place we see. But getting over the Atlantic Ocean is usually quite costly. Although flight deals become available throughout the year, flights are mainly expensive purchases. However, the costs of flights are only part of the equation. When considering other expenses such as hotels, Airbnb, transportation, food, etc, sometimes Europe can be more affordable than some places closer to us. Travel throughout the continent will be inexpensive and convenient once we arrive.

For example, flights to New York are very affordable throughout the year. But have you stayed at a hotel in New York? It’s costly! The United States has expensive hotels, and New York is near the top of the most expensive in the country. It’s a terrific city to visit and explore, with endless photo opportunities, but a few nights in New York could cover a week somewhere in Europe. In summary, considering all costs is essential in selecting a destination.

2. Available Time

Factoring in how much time I have will determine where I will go. If I have a week, I’ll probably limit my travel locations, as in some instances, travel time can be significant. Longer distances usually equal more connections; more connections mean more layover time and some flights overnight. There are some destinations that I would like to visit, such as Greece or Istanbul. Still, I think 6 to 7 days would not be enough time to experience those destinations fully, considering the portion of that time that would be dedicated to the travel to and from. I will consider those destinations when I have the luxury of two or more weeks.

3. Travel Convenience

Halifax has an international airport, but that doesn’t mean it’s always convenient to travel internationally. Only so many airlines come into Halifax, so direct flights to other destinations are limited. Also, when travelling east, many connecting flights take you to Montreal or Toronto first before embarking across the Atlantic. That means more travel time and more chances of delays or cancellations. And flight delays have been prominent recently. When booking a flight, the number of connections, layover time, and the airports as part of the itinerary become essential considerations. The flight with the least connections will most likely depart as scheduled.

4. Photo Opportunities

Some locations are known for their fantastic photographic opportunities. There can be renowned cities for street photography or ones with famous landmarks and attractions. I rarely go to a place looking to get “the” photo, but I do look to experience those attractions. As there are endless locations to visit and experience, what is near the top of the visit list becomes a factor. It’s fantastic to finally arrive in a place you have only seen in photos and videos and experience it for yourself.

5. Expected Weather

I’ve probably stated before that I’m not a fan of cold weather. In Atlantic Canada, we have five months of cold and gloomy weather, affecting my mood and motivation. The feeling of boarding a plane in the cold and gloomy weather and arriving at a sunny and warm destination is invigorating. When looking at where and when to travel, I research what I should expect for weather upon arrival and during my stay there. I can’t always be treated with warm, sunny weather wherever and whenever I go, but I can understand and prepare for seasonal expectations.

Summary

The cost of travel is a significant factor when planning a trip. The amount of time available influences the location, too, especially considering the potential for delays when multiple connections are necessary. Favourable weather and visiting places with bucket list attractions and great photographic opportunities are priorities, but experiencing the destination is the ultimate goal.