I used to work in travel. More directly said, I was a travel agent. I didn't really get access to free travel, but I did know where to find the deals, and I sometimes got to go do some really cool things, for a very low price. Like inspecting hotels or cruise ships. Yeah, that was pretty cool.

I learned a couple of things about people from that experience.

One, people behave really badly around travel. I think they get worked up about the cost, being tricked by travel ads that promise amazing vacations for next to nothing. They place their hopes and dreams on this trip, with completely unrealistic expectations, and then they lash out when things don't go as they hoped. Ok, not everyone does this, but it's pretty common.

The other thing I learned is a lot of people have no idea what they like. For example, if a couple comes in looking to book a trip, we'd ask what kind of hotel/cruise ship/vacation they'd like. Their response was often "I'd like a nice hotel/cruise ship/vacation". That is a non-answer. 

A nice hotel to me means it's walking distance to things I want to experience, it's clean, and hopefully architecturally interesting. A nice hotel to someone else might mean a bungalow over the crystal clear waters of the Maldives, or a hotel with a butler. Someone else might want free parking, cheap but tasty food, and quiet rooms. 

If I was going to give anyone just one piece of travel advice, it would be to know what matters most to you, and then find a way to work with a realistic budget to get as much of that as you can. 

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Do you need/want a pool? If yes, will an ordinary pool work, or does it need to be a fancy pool?

Do you need/want convenience? If yes, what kind? Does that mean parking onsite? Walking distance? Short drive to attractions? A tour desk to book day tours? 

Since you may be traveling with someone else, how can you compromise on what you both like? Also, a trend in hotel bathrooms is to have parts of them open to the rest of the room. That can mean a lot of information sharing, watch out for that if that's going to be a problem.

This is one that you may not have thought of. What kind of people do you want to be around? If you've never been to a country club, or a fancy dinner, you might not enjoy a hotel filled with people who's lives revolve around that kind of thing. If you love people who are into quirky things, where can you find them when you travel? I find this is especially important in choosing cruise ships. You probably don't want to travel with families, if you're on a romantic trip. 

For me travel is one of the best forms of education. I enjoy learning about the rhythm of life, the cultural nuances, and the local food. I stay away from all inclusive resorts because I want to explore and experience. If you don't know already, spend some time deciding what you want most. Even if it's a camping trip and hour away from home, you'll get the most out of your time away if you do.

*typos and other errors provided for your entertainment.