Multi Destination Travel Guide

A multi-destination holiday appeals to people of all age groups. The big draw is that you get to explore several exciting locations as opposed to spending your holiday-time in one place. Time is a precious commodity nowadays, so a multi-destination holiday gives you value for time, as well as value for money.

The concept behind multi-destination holidays has been around for a long time but recently there has been a massive uptake. This shift has come from two directions: the style and variety of multi-destination holidays on offer, and the mix of people signing up; backpackers, families, gap-year students and more mature travellers are all packing their bags for these trips, simply because they offer so much.

Planning

There are two ways you set yourselves adrift on a multi-destination holiday.
The first is to book with a company that will lead you the whole way. They will organise all the transport, accommodation, routes, destinations, and activities and sort out any hiccups that might crop up along the way.

The second is to do it yourself. Plan the route, book the flights, arrange your own transport and accommodation, choose where you go and how long you stay there, decide which activities you do and be responsible for smoothing out the inevitable challenges that arise.

Trip Styles

They range from short breaks to multiple month adventures. Below is a guide to the main styles of multi-destination holidays.

Overland:

Overland travel gives you the chance to see the cities, the coastlines and the countryside of the places that you journey to. It takes you away from the homogenised resort locations and overcrowded tourist hot spots. The net result of this is that you get to see more of a country, and immerse yourself in its culture, its people and their lifestyle.

You might choose to load yourselves into a 4X4 and embark on an overland adventure across the African continent, or hop from bus to train, then to bicycle, and weave your way around Europe. Alternatively, if your timeframe is shorter, you might choose one country and explore it in more depth, using different methods of transport. Public transport is available in most countries, albeit of varying standards and reliability. Even if you travel with an organised group someone will still have to arrange your private bus or car.

Then there is the option of buying your own vehicle. This brings with it more flexibility and a place to call home - of sorts. You'll also need to be up to speed with the vehicle laws of the countries you visit, and be willing to accept the responsibility of vehicle ownership - don't forget insurance!

By Sea:

You could also travel by sea. Cruises, live-aboard boats and yacht charters are geared towards the holidaymaker who wants to experience life on the ocean waves, not on the open road. This way you get to hug the coastline, swim in the sea and then dock at towns and cities along the way, ticking off destinations as you go. And if you kneed to, you could even look for work aboard to help pay for your passage.

Shoestring and Budget multi-destination holidays:

Many of these trips are 'budget trips', and that's not necessarily a bad thing. The accommodation will vary from under the stars and dorm type hostel rooms to the traditional houses of the locals, or maybe even hammocks in the jungle! The days will be exciting, but be warned: you'll be expected to spend a fair bit of time in your vehicle. The frequency of hot showers, and having a place to do laundry and luxuries might be off-putting at first, but it all adds to the experience!

If you're organising your own tour then you can still keep to a budget. Using public transport, such as buses and trains, will be cheaper than taxis. In countries across Europe a good option is the Inter-Rail pass. Or if you travel further afield, to places such as Australia or New Zealand, then the Oz Experience or Kiwi Bus is a bus pass that offers the flexibility of using one ticket to cater for all bus journeys. If you have your own vehicle your main expense will be the fuel and, if needed, the repairs.

Mid Range multi-destination holidays:

Remember: Staying at campsites and hostels is usually less expensive than hotels and lodges. This means that with a little forward planning, you should be able to get decent accommodation at a reasonable price.

While travelling through cities on your multi-destination holiday, there's no end to the number of cheap rooms on offer - it just takes a little time to find them.

And if you're travelling by sea, it's equally possible to strike a balance between cheap and cheerful; living quarters on the boats can be basic, although the ships are usually of a good standard with meals generally included in your trip price.