I don’t think it’s ever too early to plan for a trip. There are so many ways to get information that it’s easy to do research and discover places to visit in the future. Even the idea of going on a trip is so exciting that it’s a nice way to pass the time. I’m thinking about another trip to Italy. And now that I know there’s delicious gelato throughout the country, I can concentrate on what I’d like to see. This time I’m going to consider some different places.
Spending time at a local bookstore is a great way to find information that helps with the planning process. Once I find a comfortable chair, hours go by before I realize how many books (or magazines) I’ve read.
I’ve been enjoying a beautiful book about farmhouses in Puglia that I recently received as a giveaway from Sharing My Italy…The Blog. You can see lots of pictures from the book on her blog post, and I’ve included a few more here. This is a region I’d like to visit if only to admire these buildings!
I’ve found that late spring is an ideal time to travel. The weather is usually nice and the crowds aren’t too overwhelming. So it definitely isn’t too soon to start planning. It allows me to start dreaming about the trip that much sooner.
Meg Travels 
I agree. The adventure begins with planning. Book stores, internet and fellow bloggers provide a wealth of travel info. The farm houses sound delightful.
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I think travel blogs are a great resource. Reading about experiences people have when they travel can provide helpful information. It’s an important part of the planning process!
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Nope, I agree….never too soon to start planning for a trip. We already planned a trip to the Netherlands for Christmas…and we’re planning a trip to Curacao for next spring :) So I totally agree :) By the way, let me know if you ever go to Piemonte….who knows, maybe we can meet :)
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Your trips sound wonderful! And planning is so much fun. I’m definitely interested in Piemonte – my mother’s family was from there (her last name was Cuneo). It looks like a beautiful area… :)
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Really? How wonderful…then I will definitely see you some time in Piemonte ;) Have fun with the planning :)
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Thanks, and I really look forward to seeing you when I’m in Piemonte!
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:D That’s a deal!
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you should check out the Gelato University! http://jdombstravels.com/carpigiani-gelato-university/
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Thank you – that’s a fantastic link! I’d love to take a class about how to make gelato. I’d definitely pay attention and take good notes!
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When I start to plan a trip, many months ahead of time, I spend several hours at a time just reading the forums on Frommers.com or TripAdvisor.
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Checking online forums is a really great idea so you can find out more about a destination. Thanks for mentioning that!
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We leave for Spain, Germany, Austria and Hungary on Saturday. We have been planning for one year. Planning the trip is part of the fun. Love the pictures!
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That’s going to be a fantastic trip Darlene! This is such a nice time of the year to travel, too. I hope you have a great time and take lots of pictures to share :)
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Meg, thank you for mentioning my site and the book in you post, I really appreciate it. I gather that you have been enjoying the book. You are right about planning for a trip takes time . . . between planning for myself and planning for some clients I fell like that’s all I do – between cooking, of course! Leaving for Italy in 10 days and for China in 2 months . . . very excited!
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You’re welcome! I think the book is beautiful and after reading it I want to know more about the area. And you must be so excited about your trips – they’re going to be wonderful :)
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I have just arrived in Italy for 2 months……but I am already planning my next trip over in January next year. I have been to Puglia, some of it is lovely.
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You must be so excited to be back in Italy! And planning sounds like a good idea because it’ll be January in no time… :)
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Once again you’ve swept me away to a place I’m longing to visit. I always wonder if the people who live in these scenic places realize just how blessed they are and how incredible their architecture is, though I suppose non-residents of the US could say that about some places here too! You’re so very fortunate to be able to travel so much.
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I wonder that too – does a person ever get accustomed to living in these beautiful places? And I really treasure the opportunities I have to travel… :)
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I never got the chance to visit Italy when I lived in Amsterdam and that was one thing I still regret :) but on the brighter side, it’s another reason to go back to Europe… :D
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That’s an excellent reason to go back to Europe! Italy is a place you should see when you get the chance… :)
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Italy sounds absolutely wonderful.
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It’s an ideal place to visit – and the food is delicious too!
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The planning sounds like a lovely way to daydream while waiting for the adventure to begin! I think it’s great that you’ll return to Italy. It would be wonderful to get to know the country even better. Good for you! Debra
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Thanks Debra! I’m looking forward to going back to Italy and visiting different places. And the research has already given me lots of new ideas… :)
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Planning for travel is the fun part!
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I agree – I always learn a lot and it makes me look forward to the visit even more!
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I think half the fun of a trip is planning what you are going to do when you get there (at least it is for me). The Italian Farmhouses book looks lovely.
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I like to get ideas about things to see and do, and planning really helps with that! And the book does have beautiful pictures… :)
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So true, Meg. Working on the dream is a big part of the fun of organizing a trip and the internet offers such a wealth of information. We’re thinking of another house exchange next summer so the groundwork begins now. Woohooo!
Good luck with your planning! Can’t wait to see where you go!
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Your plans sound really exciting too! Doing research for a trip is so much fun and it helps when you’re actually traveling… :)
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That’s so much a part of the excitement, seeing all the possibilities, and how it comes together. I love the stone and masonry work of those houses. Can’t wait til you share your pictures!
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Planning a trip is so much fun, and I really agree that it shows you possibilities! I’ll definitely take lots of pictures too :)
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I love planning trips. To dream and to visualize places where to visit is so inspiring. I love also late autumn, but in some cases I love also early spring just to enjoy “in advance” the summer. In addition to travel guide books many blogs offer great ideas for travel.
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It’s very inspiring to read and plan for a trip. And I agree that autumn is a beautiful time to travel!
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We have already booked Crete, Tenerife and Lisbon for next year!
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That’s fantastic – those are beautiful destinations! Have a great time :)
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My life has been a trip all through USA each Sunday night I was leaving from home in the rig I would pack for parts unknown with such excitement Love Traveling our United States I do not fly yet so it will have to do for now :)
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You can see so much while you’re driving! And it sounds like you had lots of opportunities to get around the country. There are so many beautiful places to see in the United States!
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There are thankfully and Canada as well there are a few on my Bucket List I would love to see but with bloggers like you and the others I can see the other places through your eyes :)
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I appreciate you saying that and I’m definitely going to keep making plans to travel too!
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:)
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I’ll be staying here in Italy for another year. This country is indeed so rich in culture, known for great architecture, so on. A place where food = feast :)
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It’s wonderful that you’ve had the opportunity to live in Italy! And it sounds like you’re enjoying your time there… :)
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I’m glad you post your travels for us to share. I’m housebound a great deal of the time and no longer can travel even to places close by. So you are traveling not only for yourself but for all of us who can’t go. Enjoy and we’ll enjoy too. Dream and we’ll dream too.
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Thank you so much – I truly appreciate it. Travel is very meaningful to me, and I’m happy to share my experiences through these stories… :)
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Your vast and ongoing travels keep me intrigued. Beautiful photos, exciting places and good stories you always share with us. Take care.
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Thank you so much Teresa! It’s exciting to think about another trip because that means more adventures are on the way… :)
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What a wonderful collection of photos to tempt the traveller! I’ve had that experience of losing time in bookshops dreaming of faraway places. It’s great that you’re planning for late spring now, that’s a good long run in to the holiday and plenty of time to enjoy the excitement of the planning stage.
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It’s so nice to have the time to plan and daydream for next year! And by looking at travel books I can add other places to visit. I don’t think I’ll run out of possibilities anytime soon… :)
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That’s one reassuring thing at least – the world is a big place, and even to see one country properly could take a lifetime!
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I’m so glad for books and blogs to learn more about places I may not get to visit. And then travel as much as possible!
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I agree wholeheartedly and am always planning my next trip and researching possible destinations. Blogs such as yours have opened my eyes to a whole slew of destinations :-)
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It’s so much fun to plan and find new places to visit. And when I visit Australia I’m going to try to see some of the places you’ve written about in your blog!
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It is fun, although I don’t know how I’m ever going to see all the places I want to see.
Let me know if you want a tour guide when you get here :-)
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I feel the same way – I just want to see so many places… And I’m sure you’ll be a fantastic tour guide too!
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Like poring over the atlas, planning a trip is one of those things one can do to perk oneself up on a rainy day! I planed a wonderful trip to Burma a while ago that’s ready whenever I am!
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Your trip sounds like it will be wonderful! And the time spent planning and thinking about the trip is just as exciting… :)
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Yes, I think planning is a lovely way to spend time :)
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Gorgeous! I love your little quip about the gelato, most of my adventures and travels are generally food centric so yes, gelato might be in the top 5 of things (for me) to see & enjoy too! As for that gorgeous book on the farmhouses of Puglia I know I shouldn’t read a book by its cover but definitely a yes!
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Gelato is definitely an important part of any visit to Italy! And I also thought the book about Puglia showed a region I’d like to know more about… :)
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ha ha – no envy at all – I think I should become a professional traveller
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Now that would be a dream job! I’d very much like to do that myself… :)
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