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Choosing Our Next Adventure: How We Decide Where to Travel and Begin Planning

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of deciding where to go next. As full-time travelers who left everything behind to explore the world, my husband and I are often asked how we choose our next destination. Do we spin a globe and point? (Sometimes, it feels that way!) But truthfully, a mix of strategy, inspiration, and budget-conscious decisions go into crafting each adventure. In this blog post, I’ll share exactly how we pick our destinations and start planning, so you can do the same and turn your travel dreams into reality.

Inspiration Strikes: Letting Travel Deals Lead the Way

One of our biggest secrets? We don’t always pick the destination first—sometimes, the best deals decide for us! We frequently turn to JetSetClub.co, our go-to resource for finding unbelievable flight deals. This is one of our top travel planning tips! Cheap airfare to an exciting location sparks our wanderlust and helps us stretch our travel budget further. Imagine booking a flight to a dreamy destination like Rome, Bali, or Sydney for less than a domestic ticket—it happens more often than you’d think!

If you’re flexible with your travel dates and open to new experiences, we urge you to let the deal determine the destination. It’s a game-changer that makes travel more accessible and adventurous.

The Weather Factor: Chasing Sunshine and Avoiding Rainy Seasons

While a great deal gets our attention, we always check the weather before booking. If you’ve followed us for awhile, you have probably noticed that we are almost always in sunshine when we travel. This is no accident! We purposely chase summer around the world. A trip to Southeast Asia during monsoon season or Europe in the dead of winter might not align with the experiences we envision. We research the best times to visit our chosen destination and look for shoulder seasons—those magical periods just before or after peak tourist times when the weather is still great, but crowds are thinner and prices lower. Think the Mediterranean in September, Thailand in April, or Paris in March.

Pro Tip: Websites like WeatherSpark offer detailed weather trends for destinations worldwide, so you can plan smartly.

Building the Dream: Researching Activities and Attractions

Once we’ve locked in a location and dates, we dive into researching the must-see sights, hidden gems, and unique experiences. Before you spend thousands on a trip, you need to make sure your destination is everything you dreamed of. Don’t skip this important travel planning tip. Some of the questions we ask ourselves are:

• What makes this place special?
• Are there iconic landmarks we’ve always wanted to see?
• What local activities can we try that we can’t find anywhere else?

We also read travel blogs (like this one!), check Instagram hashtags for visual inspiration, and watch YouTube travel guides. This phase builds the excitement and helps us prioritize our must-do activities.

Flights First, Then Accommodation

Booking airfare is step one. Once our flights are secured, we start hunting for the perfect place to stay. Depending on the destination, we might look for charming Airbnbs, boutique hotels, or resorts that offer unique perks. Our goal is always to find accommodations that provide value. You can read our detailed post HERE about how we chose the perfect Airbnb when we travel.

During our recent 3 month stay in Bali, we scored a stunning three-bedroom villa with a private pool for just $900 a month. It felt like a dream home, and waking up to the sound of tropical birds and poolside breakfasts made it one of our favorite stays. It helped finalize our decision to spend the summer in Bali!

Use the 24-Hour Rule to Save on Airfare

When booking flights, we always take advantage of the 24-hour rule. Many airlines allow you to cancel or modify your reservation without penalty within 24 hours of booking. This is another travel planning tip that gives us peace of mind and the flexibility to make changes. There have been times we booked a flight and then after a little more reseach realized it wasn’t the best season to visit, hotels and Airbnbs were too expensive, or we discovered an even better place to visit. We go into the 24 hour rule in detail in THIS blog post. Before finalizing our travel plans, we also double-check for any last-minute price drops using flight comparison tools.

Pro Tip: If you find a better price within 24 hours, rebook and cancel your original ticket to save money.

Budgeting Wisely: Creating a Trip Cost Outline

Even though we love a good splurge now and then, budgeting is key. We calculate:

• Transportation costs (flights, trains, or scooters)
• Accommodation rates
• Daily meal expenses
• Activity and sightseeing fees

Having a ballpark estimate helps us stick to our financial goals without sacrificing amazing experiences. We’ve learned that being conscious of small savings—like cooking breakfast in our Airbnb—leaves more room for splurging on bucket-list activities. We recommend using Booking.com to find hotels, and compare tour and activity prices on sites like Viator and Get Your Guide and Airbnb Expierences.

Wrapping It All Up

Planning a trip doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive—you just need the right tools and mindset. We let deals from JetSetClub.co inspire us, check the weather to ensure smooth travels, and dive deep into research to create itineraries filled with adventure and joy.

Travel isn’t just about places—it’s about people, experiences, and making memories. Hi! We are Shayne and Shelly Peterson. As empty nesters, we’ve found new ways to connect with the world (and each other) through travel. Follow our journey at JetSetPetersons.com and let’s explore together! 

At Jet Set Petersons, we occasionally collaborate with brands, companies, and tourism boards to bring you content that aligns with our love for travel. Some of the posts on this website may include sponsored content, affiliate links, or gifted experiences.

We only partner with brands that we genuinely love and believe will bring value to our readers. While we may receive compensation in the form of payment, free stays, or complimentary products, all opinions expressed are our own. Honesty and transparency are at the core of what we do, and we would never recommend anything we wouldn’t personally use or enjoy.