Imagine this.

You just got off the plane and are ready to begin exploring London.

There are museums, cafes, beautiful destinations to visit, only one small problem: you did not research the best tourist attractions. So, instead of knowing the places to go, you are stuck scrambling around online and wasting what should be a terrific trip.

Traveling can be fun, but it is also a science.

Spring break is on everybody’s minds, so for those that are going out of town, here are some tips for the perfect vacation.

It takes a lot of planning and thought to make sure a trip is fun and relaxing.

Travel Partners

When going on a trip the first thing that anyone should do is make sure that they are going with their favorite people; after all, a place can only be as good as the people there.

If you go with people you are not comfortable around, the trip will be significantly less enjoyable, no matter where you go, from just a weekend trip Up North to the trip of a lifetime.

Research

Once that is sorted out, the next step is to research different types of tourist attractions that are there.

Be sure to include some museums but also look for fun places like amusement parks and beaches. By trying to pack in too much history and learning, what should have been an amazing trip can just become a drag.

Food

Food should be your next priority. If you are going somewhere more exotic, it should be expected that they eat more exotically. While traveling, you should try new things and experience the culture of where you are, but you should not try to go completely out of your comfort zone.

Free Time

Another key to success to planning a trip is to leave some free time. Do not plan out every second of the day; leave time for shopping and just exploring.

Sure, you can shop at home but you do not need to spend the entire time on vacation being adventurous. Sometimes it can be relaxing and comforting to do something that you would to at home, and it might help if you feel a little homesick.

Also, some of the best memories of a trip can come from the spontaneous activities that were not planned out but turn out to be amazing.

Get Fit

Whether you are going on the beach or not, traveling and exploring means a lot of walking. If you are in shape you will be able to walk farther and enjoy yourself more.

Trust me, when I was in Spain there was a lot of walking involved and both my feet and legs were killing me, so in the months leading up to a trip, make sure you are not just sitting on the couch watching Netflix. Go out and do something.

Have Fun

One last piece of advice. While you are on vacation, remember that the point is to have fun and explore a new place, so, while there, stop worrying about work or school or anything else and just enjoy yourself.

Happy traveling!