I remember the first time I heard the term FIT and had no idea what it meant! Does that mean travel that “fits” a person or travel that makes someone throw a “fit”? I guess, depending on who’s doing the planning, it could be EITHER! The truth is, it’s the kind of vacation that most of us have taken at one time or another, even if it’s just to go visit relatives. But how do we make the most out of our FIT vacation?

The travel industry really isn’t all too different from any other industry when it comes to expertise and knowing how to make it easier. If you are planning travel all the time, like I do as a profession, you learn a lot. But if you vacation once every few years and to all different places, you may not know the right questions to ask to make it work well. So what tips can we give you about FIT travel?

Let’s start with GEOGRAPHY! One of the many reasons to plan your own itinerary is to go where you want to go, which may be different than what an escorted tour itinerary would offer. You’ve seen Rome, Florence and Venice and really want to visit Cinque Terre, Montepulciano and Orvieto but there are no escorted tours set up for those cities. That’s where an FIT comes in.

Crowne Plaza Montpellier Corum

ACCOMMODATIONS are your next big item to consider. Think beyond the price point, because there is SO much more to consider. You will always save money on the hotel if you are outside city center, but will it save you time and transportation costs when you want to go site see or have dinner in town? You can also consider alternatives to hotels, but please be cautious about where you might book apartments. Too many stories of great looking websites with beautiful photos and the reality becomes that it’s not for rent or it gets double booked. Also make sure you can find out the exact location, the size of the room(s), what’s included in the cost and what ISN’T! Resorts are great; make sure you know if there is a Resort Fee and what it covers. Ask about city taxes in Europe that AREN’T included in the booking fee so that you know to have extra cash on hand to pay at check in/out.

European Streets

TRANSPORTATION is one of the biggest issues with FITs. Wanting to see smaller cities or the countryside becomes a challenge. Choosing your itinerary based on how you can get there is helpful. Here are some things to remember. Driving a car internationally is a completely different experience and

not necessarily for the faint of heart. If you’re using a Eurail pass for multiple train trips, be sure to activate the pass on the very first day of use or you could be fined. A private driver/guide is a great way to customize your vacation if that fits into your budget.

BUDGET is important, but don’t let it ruin your vacation! If you’re looking at spending over $1000 per person on your vacation, think twice before trying to book the “cheapest” thing you can find. You will not remember how much you saved, you will remember how much time you spent being miserable in a low budget hotel or having terrible meals. If you can’t afford your dream vacation now, substitute a shorter holiday elsewhere OR wait and save for your dream. Just remember, the memories that you make on vacation are worth one hundred times the amount of money you spend!

And the KEY to a great independent vacation lies in the word FLEXIBLE! Plan for a great time, but remember to stop and enjoy and be spontaneous. Most times flexibility is what makes the trip special!