Tips for planing your own international trip

In my travels to 53 countries, I have universally found great advantage and success in planning my own foreign travel. When planning my own trip, I go only where my interests lie. And I end up spending a lot less money than if I was traveling with a group.

It's less stressful, too. Good self-planning can maximize your quality time on vacation.

To successfully plan your own trip, consider how you would answer these questions:

l How long do will you take for your trip?

To maximize your experience and minimize money spent, an inexperienced foreign traveler is apt to make the common mistake of moving quickly from one place to another. It is difficult, though, to enjoy any destination if you don't take time to become familiar with the area. Considering the cost and travel time two weeks plus travel time is optimum. Three weeks with four destinations is probably the most that most people can absorb without becoming weary. Once your time is decided you can decide how many places to visit.

l Where will you go? Plan destinations that are easy to travel between. The less the travel hassle, the more enjoyable on site time you will have. Don't duplicate your experiences by visiting places that are similar to other places you visit. This can most easily be avoided by using public transportation, air, train, taxi, bus, instead of using a rental car. One big city, one place in the mountains or forests, one fishing village on the coast, and one place with historic significance would make a rewarding travel experience. This might not all be in the same country, but avoid changing countries, currency, time zones, and/or languages as you plan your itinerary. Variety is available in amazingly proximity in almost every part of the world.

l What is an adequate time in each location?

Never less than three days and often five days or more best allows enough time to become familiar with your hotel's neighborhood and public transportation, unrushed viewing of historic sites, people watching in the squares, returning to an outstanding restaurant or bar, being able to attend a special concert, plus time to take guided tours and follow up on the places which intrigued you. The last part of my visits are almost always the most enjoyable because develop rewarding relationships with some of the locals allowing me to learn and understand about their distinctive culture.

l How do I get there?

International airports are located by cities which you may not want to visit or which you have visited on a previous trip. Avoid the strenuous and expensive travel to and from the city center and equally stressful attempts to visit a few sites. Instead go directly to your first chosen place to visit. If your incoming flight does not connect conveniently with a flight to that location you can recover from jet lag by spending an afternoon and evening in a hotel near the airport. This allows an early flight (or train or bus or taxi) out the next morning.

l When should I arrive?

The best time to arrive at each new location is early afternoon. Morning arrivals find that access to your room is prevented until afternoon. Going out to explore the new area without being able to get organized and refreshed in your hotel room is usually not enjoyable. Late evening arrivals eliminate the desirable afternoon exploring the new neighborhood and having a leisurely dinner.

l Ron Moore, a business consultant in Cedar Rapids, has lived in four foreign countries. His travels have taken him to 53 countries.