The first place I go for inspiration is to travel websites for trip ideas. Sign up to receive emails at several of the blogs and websites and before you know it your email inbox AND your physical mailbox will be full of beautiful pamphlets and information on exotic places.

Once you are closing in on a general destination decision, I like to order Eyewitness Travel Guides for the destination. I enjoy sitting with a book instead of constantly being on the computer fine-tuning my trip. Eyewitness books give an overview of the country, the landscape, climate, holidays, and sights not to be missed. They also usually offer an itinerary for tours of varying amounts of time in specific cities or parts of the country. Finally, they offer walking tours and 3D drawings of attractions. You can pick up the books second-hand for very inexpensive.

Then I use the internet to look up Top Things to do in the countries and cities that I’m thinking about. Does your preliminary plan still sound interesting? If so, move on to the next step!