Holiday planning list

Hello there lovely people!

My trip to Morocco is now in 5 days. Less than a week, I can't believe it's here! I have been poorly the past couple of weeks, so haven't really posted anything much on social media or on my blog. I apologise about that. However I can assure you, there are some very exciting projects I am currently working on and I cannot wait to release those!

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So this is what I do before going on holiday, every time! P.s This is a little glimpse into the real life behind the Instagram photos when I am doing my research. Sit back, relax, drink your cuppa and read on

Eveline's Holiday Plan List

This is what research looks like haha

1. Select a location and type of holiday Depending on what kind of things I want (beach, city life, full relaxation or simply sightseeing).

For example this time I wanted to go somewhere still hot in October and full relaxation mood. Which meant my first ever all inclusive holiday. I have always wanted to go to Morocco, so that was decided haha!

2. Air Bnb or hotel? Me and partner usually prefer to stay in the Air Bnb simply because we get our own space, more than one room and we don't get the constant interruption of house keeping. We love to wake up everyday and find where we will go to have breakfast as well, which works perfectly if we go with the Air Bnb.

This time we of course went with the all inclusive hotel.

This is our hotel :

3. Location location location! One of the most important things of the place you stay at, is the location. Depending on what you want to see in the area, I will choose where we stay. Whether that is being near the high street shopping area, near the restaurants or maybe the main sightseeing objects. In order to do that, you need to figure out what you want to do of course.

As we chose all inclusive destination, we did not care where exactly it was located, the only thing was to not be too far away from the airport. Our hotel is 11km - 20mins away.

4. What do you want to do?

Most of the time we will want to be right in the middle of the whole hustle and bustle. Have a nice traditional cafe for breakfast in the morning nearby, but be close to the centre as well. Google maps is your lifesaver here. Jot down a list of things you want to see, and find the location that would suit you to stay at. Then head to Air bnb or booking.com and find the place you will stay at.

Even though we are going to an all inclusive hotel, which has an Aquapark next door, I still want to be able to go into Marrakesh and see the culture. In my opinion it is a crime if you are in the area and you don't get to really see the culture etc. I looked up on our hotel website, they do excursions into Marrakesh and I think we will be taken a few of those. Number 1 thing I want to see if Moroccan souks(markets) in Djamaa El Fna Square.

5. Prioritise what you want to see

Take the list you made on the step 4 and select 4-5 things you reaaally want to see. Find it on Google maps and take a screenshot of the location of the map and what is around, to make it easier to familiarise yourself with the surroundings once you are there.

Our mission for this holiday is to relax and spend half of one day in the souks.

6. Train or plane?

Decide how you will travel to your destination! If you are travelling by train, I tend to use Trainline for international travels. If you are choosing on flights, I tend to use Skyscanner for the best flights. Depending on what you choose, you will have to think about transport from/to the airport/rail station and of course from/to your apartment/hotel once you are abroad.

We are travelling by plane this time.

6. Book your travel to the apartment and back

Do NOT play it by ear and hope for the best. Don't take a taxi. Book this in advance, whether it's through a website online, or through travel agency - this way you will save money. Taxi drivers in the airport/rail stations will charge you twice the fare if not more. Firstly, because of where you are, secondly - because you are not a local.

7. Health check

Before travelling check the NHS website (a healthcare website which is applicable for your country of residence) to see if you will need any specific injections, visas etc. Also check what is safe to eat/drink and what to avoid.

According to NHS we are not required to get any injections travelling to Morocco. There are no food restrictions, however water is not safe to drink from the tap.

8. Other blogs

Before setting off, I always read other blogs about the trip I am about to take! I usually search them on Pinterest myself, but you can just simply Google it. Just to see any extra tips or tricks from those who have been to the place you are about to go to.

9. Final countdown

And finally - PACK YOUR BAGS!

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This is it guys, this is what I do for my research! Let me know what you think about it below :) Thank you so much for reading, Eveline x