Going on a long vacation is something everyone deserves. After all, what could be more appealing that just leaving your day to day routine and going somewhere far far away, without having to worry about work. Imagine just packing your bags, leaving everything behind, and going somewhere nobody could reach you. It's an experience like no other, and it's something that needs a whole lot of planning as well.

1. Decide on a destination and a date.

The first step to planning any trip is to decide on where you want to go and when you want to go there. There are so many possible destinations, and each country will look and feel very different at certain times in the year. So this really depends what kind of trip you want and when you're free to do it. Do you want to go on a winter wonderland type of adventure in North America or bask in the tropics of Southeast Asia? Do you want to see the century-old ruins of Europe or go on a Safari in South Africa? These are the things you need to decide on before thinking about all the other details.

2. Research on how much it will cost, and make the necessary reservations.

The good thing about planning for a long trip months ahead is that you get access to all the cheapest rates. If you're staying for a long time, you need to research more than just the plane ticket costs. You need to check on your accommodation options, as well as the cost of your meals while you're there. If you're planning to do a multiple country road trip, then you need to check where you can stay in each pit stop of your adventure. If you're planning to stay in one place for a long time, then you can maybe rent a cheap apartment somewhere.

3. Prepare for your trip the best way you can.

If the countries you picked need visas, then you should prepare your requirements and apply for the visas way in advance. You can also start buying travel books or planning for your itinerary by browsing through websites. You can also buy a camera, a travel notebook, and start planning on how you can best document your trip. If you plan to do anything extreme like diving or mountain climbing, you should also start getting physically fit. Of course you should also already start saving, in preparation for all your expenses.

4. Wrap up everything you'll leave behind.

If you're going to be away for a long time, you need to automate your bills so you can pay for them while abroad. You should also tell your credit card company that you'll be going on a trip, so that they won't be shocked with all your expenses. Make sure your house is ready for you to be gone for a while, and if you have pets, find someone who can take care of them while you're away.

5. Get covered with travel insurance.

Even if you're not yet leaving, you might as well get your 6-month travel insurance as early as possible. Some countries will also require you to have travel insurance as part of the visa application. Getting a 6 month travel insurance will ensure that no matter what country you visit, you're covered.