Once Christmas and New Year’s is all said and done, the January Blues set in as the frosty mornings we used to enjoy are suddenly unbecoming. Rather than wrap up in jumpers, hats and scarves, the majority of us are considering our next holiday destination, but the problem is, where do we head to in 2018? Every year, new locations become the ‘in’ place to visit, while old favourites continue to reign supreme. This can become overwhelming. To help you plan your next vacation, here’s a guide on how you can come to an informed decision on your next destination.

Consider Your Points of Interest

You most likely already have a destination in mind, one that you’ve been thinking about for months or possibly even years now. Maybe it’s a location you’ve been to before and thoroughly enjoy, or perhaps it’s a new destination that intrigues you. Although this pre-existing thought is a strong contender, try and refrain from buying plane or ferry tickets straight off the bat. Instead, research similar destinations that are just as appealing to you.

If you are, however, struggling on where to go, here are the hottest destinations of 2018:

• Seoul, South Korea – with high-rise buildings, and an abundance of cafes, bars and nightlife incorporated with culture and history, this city has much to offer.
• Dubrovnik, Croatia – hugely popular in 2017, with its popularity remaining intact in 2018. This is ideal for Game of Thrones fans and anyone who loves beaches and island-hopping.
• Western Australia – when people travel to Australia, many people turn to the East Coast to have a good time. Western Australia has a lot more to offer, though. With a large selection of beaches to explore, beautiful seas, Margaret River (the wine region) and Rottnest Island, there are many experiences to be had here.

Rather than make a final decision in haste, it’s best to compile a list of your favourite destinations and start deducing from there. If you’re travelling with others, everyone in your travel party should do the same; then, when you’re deciding on where to go, you can try to cater to everyone’s wants and desires. Once everyone is happy with the final decision, it’s time to plan where to stay, what to do and even how to get there.

Use Comparison Sites and Be Flexible

When you go can be dependent on where you’re travelling to; some countries are more expensive at certain times, so if you want to save some money, it’s best to be flexible in your departure and arrivals. However, if you’re going somewhere for a certain festival or time of year, be prepared for high-costing flights and accommodation; for instance, visiting Japan in the Sakura Season is far more expensive than, say, October.

Use sites such as Skyscanner or Booking.com when searching for flights and hotels; when searching, though, make sure to look on Incognito Mode, so your internet browser cannot track your search history and raise any prices.

Plan Your Activities in Advance

You may have a good few months before you’re boarding your flight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look forward to your holiday or even find things to do in advance. For finding things to do, turn to trusted travel guides – these can be found in bookstores or even online. Sites such as Mr Hudson Explores have many guides readily available online; you can find a Palm Springs guide, as well as guides for the rest of America. Create a loose itinerary, decide what you wish to see, and if you need to book in advance, make sure you do so to avoid disappointment.

The beauty of today is that we can go anywhere, almost instantly. Travelling from one country to another has never been so accessible, and so, if you’re feeling a little blue this January, planning and booking your next holiday can give you enough excitement to pull you through this dreary, English month.