Some vacation destinations are best planned more than a year in advance. Many reasons exists for planning so far in advance but frequently they include:
- complexity of the trip (e.g., multiple destinations).
- availability at the destination (hotels and cruises only have a limited number of rooms)
- limited infrastructure at remote locations often means travel may be restricted to certain days.
- weather or season of the year.
- strict limitations on the number of visitors.
Additionally, if you have your heart set on specific destinations or activity, ensure that you are not disappointed! If the destination is sold out then you will have to wait until next year. Many popular destinations will sell out far in advance.
1. Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a group of islands about 600 miles from Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. They are an ecological and geological wonder made famous by Charles Darwin. He visited in 1835 and observed the unique wildlife such as the blue-footed bobby and giant tortoise.
You can visit the Galapagos Islands year-round. However, if you want to see a particular animal, you will need to select the time of year carefully to make sure you will see it when you visit. The best way to see the Galapagos islands is on a cruise. The cruises we recommend are small ships so naturally they have limited availability. The Ecuadorian government limits cruise ship capacity in the Galapagos Islands so you will not find large ships there. Additionally, the cruises alternate between an eastern and western itinerary. So, if you would like to see a particular animal such as the Galapagos Giant Tortoises, be sure to check with us to make sure that the island where that animal is found is on your itinerary.
2. African Safari
An African Safari is an amazing experience and needs to be planned a year or more in advance because it involves:
- coordinating multiple long-haul flights.
- multiple destinations (such as combining a safari with a visit to Cape Town, and Franschoek or Victoria Falls in Botswana).
- reserving a stay in remote tented camps or lodges that have a limited number of rooms. For example, the Royal Malewane only has 22 rooms.
- arranging complicated transfers.
- arranging visas and vaccinations (such as yellow fever vaccine depending on where you would like to visit in Africa).
Additionally, if you want to see particular animals, such as gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, there are a limited number of permits per day to see the gorillas. Limited accommodation, that books up quickly during peak season, is an additional factor.
You may also want to see natural phenomenon such as the Great Migration where more than 2 million wildebeest migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve from Serengeti. For this, you need to plan to visit between June and October, and there is limited availability on group tours as the maximum is about 18 people.
3. Antarctica Expedition Cruise
An Antarctica expedition cruise is an adventure of a lifetime to the least visited place on Earth. You will see large colonies of penguins, and be in awe of the ice-filled fjords and spectacular icebergs.
You will need to book early for an Antarctica cruise because there is short travel season (late October to March). Only a few cruise ships venture to Antarctica so there is a very limited number of staterooms. The most desirable staterooms (midship, where it is most stable in rough seas) sell out far in advance.
4. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located high in the Andes Mountains. Due to its popularity, there are new rules about needing an official guide, obeying time limits, and following set routes.
It is best to plan in advance to organize the logistics, trail permits, guides, and train tickets. We recommend combining it with Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Lima to make it a multi-destination trip.
5. Fogo Island
Fogo Island is the largest offshore island of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is very remote and the perfect place to decompress and relax. However, there are lots of activities such as nature hikes, boat building, bottling jam, stargazing, art workshops, and whale watching.
Due to the remote location, the logistics of getting there can take some planning. We recommend staying at Fogo Island Inn. It is a small contemporary hotel, where all 29 rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling views of the North Atlantic Ocean. Since it is a small hotel, the availability is limited so we recommend to book early.
Additional considerations for group travel
Multi-generational or group vacations are best planned well in advance because you are organizing multiple people with different needs and schedules. So, you need to pick travel dates when everyone is available and then you need to book your accommodations. Since you will be a large group, you need to make sure there is enough space for everyone. Do you need multiple rooms on a cruise ship or resort, or would a villa accommodate everyone?
We recommend booking winter vacations in advance since many children are off from school and college. The end of December is quite a popular time for family trips. Hotels and airlines expect this and typically raise prices. You might not be able to avoid the high prices, but, to ensure availability and the experience you want, booking in advance is recommended.
We hope that you are not overwhelmed by everything that goes into planning a complicated trip planned more than a year in advance. Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you! Contact us today to start planning your bucket list adventure.