"Just do it!" That's what Nike ads say. In general, that's good advice, but it's not so good when deciding where you really want to go. Instead, choosing a rewarding, memorable travel destination takes real thought and a little consultation with your psyche.Start by answering two questions: First, what kind of experiences do you really want? Second, what do you hope to gain from your trip? The answers will make a big difference in your choices.
With those answers in mind, close your eyes and conjure up names of places that have always made your heart beat faster. Paris? Bora Bora? Masai Mara?
Next, spend some time with a world map. Read travel books. Browse through back copies of National Geographic, Outside magazine, International Travel News, and Conde Nast Traveller. Watch the Discovery Channel and National Geographic Explorer. Rent travel videos. Seek out travel stories from friends and travel agents. And take a look at comments on your favorite travel Web sites, starting with GORP.com.
Now make a list of the places you would most like to visit. Post it on the refrigerator or anywhere that keeps it in your consciousness. Within a few days several destinations will resonate with you more than the others. It's time to turn the wish list into reality. Consider five important factors as you rank your final choices.
First, do you want to go to just one place or would you rather wander through several countries? If you are allowing yourself only a week, a tightly focused trip, involving just one foreign language, might be ideal. Costs of local transportation, food, and lodging tend to be lower when you spend most of your time in one place. If you have a little more time, a multi-country trip becomes more feasible. Think of it as a buffet table laden with an exciting variety of dishes new to your palate.
Second, check out safety conditions. If unrest in a country is likely to erupt in violence, stay away until calm returns. However, even the best research won't always keep a traveler from being on the front line. I've been present during coups d'etat in Bolivia and Madagascar and street fighting in Chile and Thailand. I was disconcerting to see armed troops in the streets but I kept a low profile and never felt in danger.
The fact is that most disturbances are much less dangerous for travelers than media reports suggest. Still, the countries I skip are those where violence is occurring at unpredictable times or places or is directed against travelers.
Sri Lanka is a fascinating country but I won't be going back until the Tamils and the Sinhalese lay down their weapons. Even the unique experience of sitting amidst mountain gorillas in Rwanda isn't worth being caught in a crossfire between Hutus and Tutsis. Review State Department reports on each country on your short list and, most reliable, consult with other travelers about current conditions.
The third factor concerns your tolerance for ambiguity. In cultures very different from your own, there are simply times when you won't know exactly what's happening, or why, or what's coming up (India comes to mind). If you're comfortable with that, great. If not, you might prefer visiting Western-style cultures for a while.
