How do you handle decision paralysis in choosing your next trip? I'm at the stage where I have a lot of places I can say "oh yeah, it would be really cool to go there," but not many where I can say "yes, I want to go to XX country to see sites XX, YY and ZZ." I already have some domestic trips planned for 2025 but would love to take a short trip (4-6 days) somewhere outside the USA, but I'm struggling to actually make a decision. I was potentially going to Iceland with a friend in July but she had to back out and I'm not sure I want to go solo (I could easily, just not sure if I want to). I'm feeling a pull towards the UK, but I was in Scotland in September and am planning a trip to London/southeast coast for 2026 with my mother, so feeling like maybe I should spread things out a bit. But I don't know, and therefore end up just looking at a bunch of flight websites without actually making any decisions! What does your decision process for where to go next look like?
Posted by
8557 posts
My wife and I love traveling and I have lived overseas twice for a total of nine years. While working, we had to schedule trips around our work schedules and were limited by time. After retirement we have taken trips that were as long as eight weeks.
We picked our travel locations mostly to visit places we had not previously visited, with a few exceptions special places we have already seen.
Touring solo is more expensive if you joint a tour group. Also, traveling solo and doing it yourself can be a bit lonely.
I love planning trips and white most of our trips are with just the two of us, we do encourage all four of our adult children to join us. They have done so a few times in recent years.
Our wish list is short now, since we are in our late 70s and having visited many countries. I have visited 83 foreign countries.
Keys to planning are picking a good time of the year when the climate is good. You don't go to India in the Summer and we don't like going to places when it is cold like Europe in Winter.
My suggestion is to explore all modes of travel, guided tours (we love Gate 1 Travel), river and ocean cruises, trips on your own and more. We like historical and scenic places. Italy is special with all its ancient, Renaissance and modern history, art and great cuisine.
Great Britain and Ireland are special for us, since most of our ancestry comes from there and going to the town where my paternal ancestors lived until 1716 when they departed for America. Places like Egypt, South America and Asia are best done on guided group tours.
Posted by
11809 posts
I always have had a random list of places I want to visit.And one by one we have visited them. I am always ready to travel and am much more interested in visiting other countries. But we have seen most of the U.S.
Posted by
1175 posts
You mention it is only 4-6 days. Which should certainly make it easier. Of course, paralysis is also a decision. Not yes, or no, but still a decision. There is a lot to be said for the trite answer of, “just go”.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9128 posts
I get it. Too many choices. Sometimes you just have to jump off the fence and dont look back.
Some people choose places to go based on a favorite book or movie, or a big historical interest. Maybe family origins or lhey love food, music, art, or architecture. Sometimes it's based on an episode of your favorite travel author's show. As long as you dont have to negotiate with another person, take advantage of the freedom.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15124 posts
Well, from MSP with a 4-6 day window, I'd choose somewhere that Delta flies non-stop. So, if London sounds repetitive to you, I'd go with Paris or Amsterdam. Both are easy for a solo woman traveler.
I would LOVE it if I could get to Paris for 4-6 days, lol!!
Posted by
Lynnwood
341 posts
If I'm stuck on making a decision, I make a choice and then sleep on it. You may well wake up the next morning with either the knowledge you were wrong, or that it's just the right thing.
If you have it narrowed down to a semi-final list of a few places, consider watching a movie featuring each place and see where you feel pulled.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21310 posts
Google Flights
One Way
MSP to Europe
Maximum 2 changes
Maximum 16 hours
Maximum $455
Layoers 1:45 min, 4:00 max
Enter a departure date.
Pick a few and test them.
Check total cost on a RT flight and use the date matrix to fine tune the dates. Pick one of the 3 or 4 hits you get. Have fun.