How to Build a Destination Shortlist That Actually Works

One of the hardest parts of travel planning is deciding where to go next. The world is big, my list is long, and like most travelers, I want to do it all. But over the years, I’ve learned that if I don’t narrow down my choices, I either spend too much time waffling or end up booking something that doesn’t really fit our goals.

That’s why I use a destination shortlist, a living list of places I’d love to visit, organized in a way that helps me decide when and how to make each trip happen. It’s the starting point for every year of travel I plan.

Today, I’m sharing how I create a destination shortlist that actually works, plus how you can start your own.

Why a Destination Shortlist Matters

Without a shortlist, trip planning can feel overwhelming. There’s always a new “hot spot” popping up online, a cheap flight deal to somewhere random, or a friend who insists you have to go to a certain destination.

A shortlist gives you focus. It helps you:

• Stay grounded in what you actually want, not just what’s trending.

• Match destinations to the right season, budget, or travel style.

• Build a more balanced year of travel instead of a bunch of random trips that don’t fit together.

Step 1: Capture Every Idea

First, I write down every destination that catches my eye. It doesn’t matter if it’s realistic this year or not. If it sparks my interest, it goes on the list.

I keep mine in Trello, but you could use a notebook, a Google Doc, or even a Pinterest board. The key is to have one place where all the ideas live.

Step 2: Identify What Matters Most

Every traveler has different priorities. For me, destinations usually fall into a few categories:

• Bucket List: Big trips like New Zealand or Iceland that take more time and money.

• Quick Getaways: Easy trips like a weekend in Santa Fe or Chicago.

• Seasonal Trips: Destinations tied to weather or events, like fall foliage in New England or cherry blossoms in Japan.

• Special Experiences: Cruises, food tours, or cultural festivals.

By labeling destinations this way, I can see which ones make sense for the year ahead.

Step 3: Add Basic Research

Before moving anything forward, I do a quick scan for:

• Best time to go (Is it seasonal? Will weather affect the trip?)

• Budget range (What’s a realistic estimate?)

• Logistics (How easy is it to get there from where we live?)

This isn’t deep planning, just enough to understand whether a destination is better suited for a quick getaway or a longer anchor trip.

Step 4: Narrow It Down

Once I’ve done a little research, I pick the top 5–10 destinations that feel realistic for the next year. The rest stay on the “someday” list.

When narrowing down, I ask:

• Does this fit our budget this year?

• Does it balance out our other trips? (For example, not booking three big international trips in one year.)

• Does it make sense for the season?

Step 5: Match Destinations to Your Year

Once I have a shortlist, I start matching destinations to the year’s calendar. A long cruise becomes an “anchor trip.” A national park road trip fits into late spring or fall. A food-focused city like New Orleans works for a shorter getaway.

At this stage, the shortlist starts turning into a realistic travel plan.

Looking Ahead in the Travel Planning Strategies Series

This post is just the beginning. Over the next few weeks, I’ll share more of my favorite planning strategies, including:

• Creating a Travel Budget from Scratch (and Sticking to It)

• Flexible Itineraries: How to Plan Without Overplanning

• Travel Planning for Couples: Balancing Different Styles

• How to Plan Trips Around Events, Festivals, and Seasonal Highlights

Each post will build on the others, and I’ll link them together so you have a complete guide to planning smarter, smoother, and more meaningful trips.

Final Thoughts

Your destination shortlist doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to work for you. The more you use it, the easier it becomes to spot the trips that make sense for the year ahead. And once you have a shortlist, the rest of your travel planning falls into place.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many choices, I encourage you to start building your own destination shortlist today. It’s the first step toward a year of travel that feels both exciting and manageable.

Recommendations

Are you planning your next trip and looking for services that make travel smoother? Here are a few of my go-to recommendations:

• Stay Connected Abroad: I use Airalo eSIMs to avoid the hassle of swapping SIM cards in every country.

• Protect Your Data: NordVPN keeps my internet connection safe when I’m on public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, or cafés.

• Travel Europe by Train: I book through Trainline for easy tickets across Europe, including London, Italy, Spain, and France.

• Relax Before You Fly: Priority Pass gives you access to airport lounges around the world.

• Find the Right Stay: For vacation rentals, I like using VRBO.

• See the City with Ease: Hop-on, hop-off tours are a fun way to get oriented. Check out Big Bus Tours in Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, and Dubai.

• Book Tours and Transfers: I often use Get Your Guide and Viator to arrange activities, tickets, and transfers in advance.

• Hotels, Cars, and Flights: Expedia is one of my go-to sites for comparing and booking travel.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase or booking through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help me keep creating and sharing travel content here on From Lawrence with Love. Thank you for supporting the blog!