Planning Your Trip to Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda are home to enough beaches for every day of the year. For many travelers, this is enticement enough to visit these two islands. However, once you've decided to journey to the Caribbean, you'll have some planning to do.

Although travelers rarely find the prospect of planning their trips as exciting as the thought of the trips themselves, planning is an essential step to a successful vacation. Planning in advance helps to ensure that your dream vacation becomes a reality. Getting the most out of your journey means you'll need to research the island, figure out where you'd like to go, what you'd like to do, and where you'd like to stay - all before booking your travel.

Getting Info

No matter where you go in Antigua, you won't be far from beautiful beaches, stunning accommodations, and fascinating history. Because of this, you'll need to do a bit of research to help you decide exactly how you'll spend your days in the country. There's so much to do that travelers can never see it all in just one trip.  Luckily, there are plenty of ways to gather information about Antigua and her sister island of Barbuda.  Start here at Antigua Guide, where you will find articles detailing everything you need to know about traveling to the islands.  Other fantastic resources include travel magazines and books that you can check out of your local library or purchase at a book store, and Antigua's official web sites. 

When to Go

Many travelers make their vacation plans based upon pre-set vacations from work or school.  If you have the luxury of choosing your vacation dates, there are plenty of things to consider.  In Antigua, the high season of tourism is from the middle of December to the middle of April as visitors try to escape from cooler weather back home.  Yet, there are other draws to the islands, such as Sailing Week at the end of April and Carnival in the summer.  No matter when you choose to go, there will be plenty to keep you entertained.

Budgeting

Before making any official decisions and plans regarding your trip to Antigua, it is important to set a budget.  Knowing how much you have to spend on travel costs, accommodations, food, activities, and souvenir shopping will give you a better idea of where you stand and prevent you from overspending.  Don't forget to consider taxes and tips into your daily spending allowance.

Making Decisions

There is a lot of decision making involved in planning a vacation, especially one that will take you overseas.  Having done the proper amount of research on Antigua will make the process easier, however.  Right away, you probably have some idea regarding the type of lodgings you'd like to book, what attractions you'd like to visit, and what activities you'd like to participate in.  Go with your gut, and if you are still unsure, consult those you are traveling with.  It also helps to do a little more research regarding each of the specific areas you are unsure about.  Learning that taking a ferry is the optimal way to travel from Antigua to Barbuda for a day trip may change your opinion on whether or not to visit the small island, and the cost of a hotel right on the beach might alter your idea of the ideal accommodations.

Booking Your Trip

Once you've decided on the basic elements, the rest is easy; just choose a way to book your travel. Still, even this can be the cause for some confusion, and travelers looking for the best deals should do some research to find out what's available.  Common ways to book a trip to Antigua are through travel booking web sites, travel agents, and simply by calling individual venues on your own to set up your flight, accommodations, restaurant reservations, tours, and other activities.

Weddings

Deciding to get married in Antigua requires whole new level of planning expertise.  There is a lot to consider, from what type of ceremony you'll have, to where to have it, and even what the legal requirements are.  You will also be in charge of making the trip easier on your guests by providing them with suggested transportation, lodgings, and activities.  Learn all the ins and outs of planning a destination wedding by clicking here.

Packing

Your final task before heading off on your Antigua vacation is packing.  Due to the ever-changing rules and regulations set out by the airlines, this can be stressful for some travelers, but it doesn't have to be.  After you have taken a look at the latest rules, take a few tips by expert travelers to mind as you plan to pack:

• Make a list of everything you will need to pack and stick to the list;
• Pack several interchangeable outfits to avoid over packing;
• Utilize your carry-on luggage properly by packing something to keep you entertained as you travel, as well as an extra pair of clothes to have just in case your luggage is lost.

You can learn more about what to pack for Antigua, as well as find a specific check list by clicking here.

No matter what your dream vacation entails, you'll need to do a bit of planning to make your trip to Antigua a dream come true.