I don’t know about you, but my travel bucket list is pretty long and tends to get longer every day. Deciding where to go for an upcoming break can be quite a challenge sometimes, especially if you are traveling with a companion. There have been many times that my husband and I have had 2-3 places in mind, and struggled to pick which one to do. In this article, I’m going to give you 12 strategies to help you make your decision. Some you can do by yourself, and some are best for more than one person.

Top 5 Lists (2 or more persons)

Have each participant write a “Top 5” list of his/her top five destination choices. Rank each destination from 1 to 5, with number 1 being the first choice. Then compare lists to find where your priorities overlap.

Reasons Why Lists

If you’re deciding between more than one destination, make a bulleted list of activities you want to do and sites you want to see on each respective trip. The longest, most compelling list wins.

Research Time of Year

When you travel should usually affect where you travel. Where To Go When (2016) by Lonely Planet is a fun book that explores an array of options organized by month. However, if you already have in mind a few ideas, search online for weather, holidays, closures, and tourist peaks to narrow your choices. For example, if you can’t decide between Spain or Norway in July, the milder weather in Norway will probably be the more comfortable choice. Thinking of Japan? Spring’s Cherry Blossoms Festival is popular, but you’ll encounter higher hotel rates and airfares. Dreaming of the Greek Islands? Almost everything closes down in mid-late October and ferries become unreliable.

Choose Your Destination by Price

No matter your budget, everyone loves a good deal. Google Flights’ Explore Destination map is a fantastic tool to find the best priced destinations anywhere in the world for your travel dates. Just type in your dates, your departure airport, and leave the destination blank to explore the options. (google.com/flights)

How Much Time Do You Have?

The difference between one week and one month is massive when it comes to vacation choices. Be realistic about what you will actually have time for. For example, if you really want to hike in the Himalayas, but only have a week of vacation time, save Nepal for later when you’ll have a more time.

Paperwork Logistics

Will you need a travel visa or immunizations for a chosen destination? If you do, can you get them in time for your trip? Check with the CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) for immunization requirements and recommendations. For visa requirements check with the Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov). You can find safety precautions and travel warnings on these websites as well. For example, the CDC recommends that pregnant women or women trying to become (and their partners) avoid areas with Zika Virus risks.

Expand on a Hobby or Passion

If you love sailing, hiking, climbing, or biking, search for the best destinations for these activities. If you love art or food, develop your itinerary around them. For example, if you love hiking and climbing, Patagonia might be a great choice. If you love theater and art visit London. Wouldn’t it be fun to sail around Indonesia or bike and eat your way through France? Think of one or two of your favorite pastimes and Google the phrase “best destinations for ...”

Consider Educational Opportunities (for families)

Traveling somewhere that aligns with what your child is learning in school elevates  the idea of a family field trip to a whole new level. Is your child learning about landforms and geology? Check out Iceland. English colonization and the Revolutionary War? Try another country formally colonized by England, like India. The possibilities are endless.

Consider Volunteer Opportunities (especially great for college students)

If you have ever thought about performing volunteer service abroad, maybe now is the time. Do your research to make sure that you’ll participate in a reputable program that focuses on sustainable, real, local impact, instead of programs that are more focused on providing a fulfilling experience for the volunteers. The latter are often nicknamed “voluntourism.” You can go through a volunteer organization like Village Volunteers (villagevolunteers.org) where you pay for all of your own expenses.

Consider Work Opportunities

Many people mingle work and travel by finding jobs abroad. Whether it’s teaching English, working seasonally at a ski resort, or bartending, working abroad can be a great way to extend your travels through temporary residency. Normally this will require a work visa, which the company you’ll be working for will need to sponsor. Each country has different requirements, so make sure to do your research before deciding to work abroad. Alternatively you could work for a local individual in exchange for accommodations through a platform like WWOOF (more about WWOOF and similar platforms in chapter 6).

Spin the Globe

Are you a real adventurer? Spin a globe or play a map version of ‘Pin the Tail on the Donkey’ to select your next journey.

Survey

Still can’t make up your mind? Survey your friends or pose the question on social media. See which destinations get the most votes.

Once you finally make up your mind on a destination, you can start planning your trip! Start by using this Travel Planning Timeline.

For everything else travel planning use my book, From Paper to Plane: A Step-by-Step Guide to Efficiently Plan Your Vacations Abroad.