Confidently choose your next getaway with clarity, joy, and zero second-guessing.
Let’s be honest: choosing a travel destination should feel fun… but sometimes it feels like a pop quiz you didn’t study for.
There are so many places to go. So many blogs to scroll. So many people shouting about the “Top 10 Places You Must Go This Year.” It’s easy to get overwhelmed, second-guess your choices, and wonder if you’re missing out on something better. And if you’re already feeling stretched thin, trying to decide where to go on a trip can start to feel like just one more thing to get right.
The truth is, dreaming about travel is easy; but deciding where to travel next with intention? That takes a little more.
My husband and I love to talk travel. It’s one of our favorite things. We’ll spend long lunches reminiscing about past trips, debating the best meals we’ve ever had abroad, or falling down a rabbit hole of “Top 10 Places to Visit” lists and gorgeous destination photography. We’ve got Google Maps open like it’s a board game. It’s joyful, inspiring, and honestly… not very helpful.
Because while dreaming about where you should go on vacation is fun, picking a destination that fits your needs is something else entirely.
So, how do you choose a travel destination that actually feels right for you?
How do you get real about what you’re craving right now—not just where looks good on a list?
How do you find that one spot on the globe that’s going to fill your soul this time?
Let’s dive in.
When most people try to figure out where they should travel, they jump straight into logistics or lists. But the best travel experiences don’t start with a Google search, they start with a feeling.
Ask yourself: “What do I want this trip to give me?”
Maybe it’s rest. Maybe it’s reconnection. Maybe it’s a sense of adventure or inspiration. Maybe you just want to eat croissants with no one asking you for anything. (Totally valid.)
Whatever it is be sure to name it. Let that emotional intention guide the rest of your planning.
I always say: don’t pick a vacation spot just because it looks good in photos—choose based on what you need right now. That’s how you create a trip you’ll actually love, not just admire in someone else’s highlight reel.
2. The Practical Questions That Make Travel Planning Easier
Once you’ve named the feeling, it’s time to get practical. But not in a soul-crushing way. Think of these as your personal filters that help you narrow down the list of potential travel destinations.
Ask yourself:
What time of year are you traveling?
How long can you realistically be away?
Do you want to fly for 2 hours or 12?
What’s your total budget including flights, food, and fun (and let’s be real, a few splurges)?
What kind of weather are you hoping for?
Are you craving culture, nature, cities, calm, or “yes, please, all of the above”?
These questions aren’t meant to limit your options, they’re here to help you filter out the noise and get closer to choosing a destination that actually fits your vision for this trip.
I love a dreamy destination roundup as much as anyone. But just because “everyone” is going to Italy doesn’t mean you have to. (Unless you're craving pasta and cobblestone-induced quad workouts, in which case, by all means.)
When you’re figuring out how to choose where to go, hype can be distracting. Instead of asking “What’s trending?”, try:
Does this place support the feeling I want from this trip?
Will I come home energized—or exhausted and needing another vacation?
Am I picking this place for me… or because it sounds impressive at brunch?
Choosing a vacation destination isn’t about what looks good on paper—it’s about what feels right for you. Intentional travel means trusting your own preferences more than an algorithm. It’s about tuning out the noise and tuning into your own desires when deciding where to travel next.
Sometimes, the best clues for where to go on your next trip are hidden in past adventures.
Think back to your favorite travel memories:
What made them memorable?
What moments lit you up?
What didn’t work (hello, 5-city-in-7-days itinerary…)?
Maybe you felt most alive near water. Or fell in love with slow mornings in a quiet village. Or maybe you realized that you really don’t enjoy group tours with color-coded lanyards. The point is: your travel past can help shape your travel future.
When you're trying to pick the right destination, your own experiences are some of the best data points available. Use them.
5. No Second-Guessing: Choose It, Love It, Own It
Once you’ve made your choice, go all in.
Choosing a destination isn’t about finding the one perfect place—it’s about finding a place that aligns with your needs and then letting yourself get excited about it. Start researching in ways that spark joy, not decision fatigue. Read novels or watch films set in your destination. Learn a few local phrases. Bookmark restaurants. Get way too excited about the hotel breakfast buffet.
Because here’s the truth:
Regret rarely comes from picking the “wrong” place; it comes from ignoring what you actually needed from the trip in the first place.
If you’ve chosen a destination that reflects your energy, your needs, and your current season of life? You’re on the right path.
A Personal Note on That Final Step
For me, Step 5: No Second-Guessing: Choose It, Love It, Own It, is crucial.
It’s not about pretending travel is perfect. It’s about choosing joy on purpose, and letting the excitement of your trip start now, not just when your plane takes off.
I love watching movies or nature shows set in the places I’m headed. I still adore flipping through physical travel books, dog-earing pages and scribbling notes like it’s 1999. And here’s one of my favorite (not at all nerdy, definitely charming 😅) rituals: I almost always find a puzzle related to my destination. There’s something so satisfying about watching the details come together, piece by piece, literally, as I get closer to the real thing. It’s a small act of affirmation that says: yes, this is happening. And it’s going to be beautiful.
As a Certified Travel Coach, I help people figure out not just where they should travel, but why; so that every trip is aligned with their energy, desires, and season of life.
Whether you’re overwhelmed by too many options or simply need a sounding board to choose the right travel destination, I’ve got you.
Let’s talk about where you’re going, and why.