CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – The harsh winter weather arriving in the Heartland may have some people dreaming of a getaway.
Verified travel advisor Carolyn Kempf said some of the top destinations currently include Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the Caribbean, Iceland and Alaska.
“Obviously, when it's cold, there are two schools of thought,” Kempf said. “One is to go to the beach and the other is to go to the mountains. About 80 percent of most people want to go to the beach.
Kempf said some important things to consider before planning a trip include a list of desired activities and experiences.
“Often people come in with a predefined idea for a destination, and then you talk to them and realize that destination doesn't match anything they dream of in their head. »
Cost is always a concern. Kempf said one way to make a trip more affordable is to ask a travel advisor if there is a new hotel, property or ship open in your desired destination. These will often be discounted while on sale.
Another thing to watch out for is overtourism, which is when a large number of tourists flock to a certain popular area all at once, making it crowded.
“One example is that Italy is very populated at the moment, so we recommend people go to Spain or Portugal. Greece is very populated at the moment, so we'll talk to someone about maybe going to Croatia.
Kempf said it's important for travelers to make sure they have all their documents ready, including the Real ID, which will required to fly domestically from May 2025.
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