Travel is cheaper and easier than ever; living in Ireland, I’m spoiled as it’s really easy for me to jet off to Europe or the UK for a getaway for less than the price of a (decent) pair of jeans, thanks to low-cost airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet and HiSky.
The world really is your oyster in this day and age, so where will you go next? If you’re looking forward to getting away in 2027 or even in late 2026, here are some top tips to help you plan your next trip.
Research destinations
Some people celebrate the start of a brand new year knowing exactly where they want to go for the year ahead, but for many people, there’s a host of options still on the table. P.S. For us in 2027, we are planning to visit Japan for a month (my 40th birthday celebration) and Nerja in Southern Spain for a family member’s wedding.
If you haven’t decided where to visit next, the first step in the planning process is to research destinations. When putting together a list of contenders, think about how far you want to travel, what you want to do while you’re on holiday, how much you want to spend and how long you’re going to be away.
If you want to jump on a plane and arrive at your destination in a couple of hours, for example, or you’re only going away for a long weekend, you’ll likely have to eliminate far-flung destinations.
Read blogs, search the destination on social media, and ask friends and family for recommendations. Once you have a list of locations that are of interest, you can find out more and start getting prices and finding options for your itinerary.
I’ll be honest, I get a lot of my inspiration from Instagram…
Find inspiration based on your interests and preferences
One person’s idea of a dream holiday may be another’s nightmare. The beauty of planning trips in advance is that you can narrow down options and find inspiration based on your individual interests, requirements, and preferences.
Use the likes of Instagram and TikTok or even Pinterest to get ideas and create a moodboard or a list of destinations that reflect your travel goals and budget. You can filter results according to the type of break you want to book, the distance from home, the cost and the kinds of activities or excursions you want to enjoy.
When searching for things to do in an area you’d like to visit, use specific search terms like ‘best museums in London’, ‘prettiest beaches in Southern Spain’ to get your answers. Searching broader terms like ‘Best things to do in London’ will likely just be a waste of time as if you’re like me you’ll end up reading through heaps of articles to find what you’re after.
Take advantage of online booking and comparison sites
Booking online is more convenient for many than going into a travel agency. Which is why nowadays it’s the most common way people book their holidays.
So, when you have decided where you want to go, or you have a shortlist, use comparison sites like Skyscanner and visit tour operator websites to compare prices, get quotes and find out more. From flights, travel insurance, attraction tickets and accommodation to car hire, excursions, transfers, parking and package holidays, there are opportunities to save if you just put the time into your research. It is worth noting that you can usually save a substantial amount of money by being flexible when choosing your travel dates.
Package holidays usually offer better value for money if you plan to take luggage, you’ll need a transfer, you’re travelling to popular tourist destinations, or you are visiting a single destination. We’ve used sites like loveholidays and onthebeach to book package holidays to places like Malta and Tossa de Mar on Spain’s Costa Brava in the past.
If you are moving around, it’s worth comparing prices on hotels, flights and bus, coach and train tickets and looking at round-the-world, multi-stop flights if you’re backpacking or you want to visit several different countries. These tickets are often significantly cheaper than buying single tickets between destinations and many offer flexibility.
Read reviews
More than 90% of us now read reviews before buying products or contacting businesses. When you’re planning a holiday, a weekend away, or even a longer backpacking-style trip, it’s a fantastic idea to read reviews. Reviews can help you find and choose accommodation options, gather suggestions for trips and activities, locate great restaurants and get information that will make planning your trip easier.
Always use reputable websites and look for verified reviews.
Check requirements
Before you choose a destination or start looking at flights or booking hotels, check the entry requirements. You may need to make sure that you have a certain period of time left on your passport or ID document or you may need to apply for a visa. It’s always wise to check in advance. You will also need to make sure that you have the relevant insurance cover for your trip.
Thanks for reading!
If you plan to get away, and you’re hoping to take the stress out of planning your next trip, take these tips on board. Research destinations, get ideas and inspiration based on your personal preferences and interests, take advantage of online booking and apps and websites that make planning easy, read reviews and check requirements before you book.
Booking Your Trip Soon? These are my go-to booking sites!
Below you will find a list of the sites we always use when booking our trips. By booking via the below links you can support my writing at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much!
1. Flights
I use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It allows you to compare and book flights on over 500 airlines from across the globe.
2. Hotels
I use Booking.com for all of our hotel stays. And if we’re traveling on a budget, I like to use Hostelworld to book a hostel.
3. Renting a Car
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
4. Tours
I use Viator or Get Your Guide to book any guided tours we plan on doing. I find Viator particularly good for the USA, Canada & New Zealand, and Get Your Guide is great for Europe.
5. Travel Sim Card
An eSIM is a great idea if you’re coming for more than a week. As that way, you won’t need to change your number or remove the physical SIM from your phone. They are so handy and cheap, too. Obviously make sure your phone is compatible with an eSIM first.
6. Airport Pick-Ups
Instead of cabs, we book with welcome pickup to get from the airport to our hotel. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
7. Compensation for Delayed or Canceled Flights
You can easily claim compensation for a canceled or delayed flight with the website – AirHelp. You just input your flight details and some personal information, and AirHelp will handle the rest.
Last Updated on October 3, 2026 by snaphappytravel