Traveling is always an exciting experience, but it definitely requires a lot of thought in the planning stages. Although there may be a part of you that wants to live spontaneously, book in somewhere, pack a few clothes and run, it just isn’t practical. For a trip to be successful, a lot of planning usually has to be involved.

If you’re about to go on a holiday in Brisbane and you’re searching for suitable Brisbane accommodation, some fun things to do and good places to eat, there are some measures you need to take before you set off. First and foremost, you need to pay attention to the Brisbane accommodation you book, as you really don’t want to get this wrong. Before you make a booking, here are some questions you should ask yourself.

What Do You Want?

This is a pretty important part of the process, as many travellers book Brisbane accommodation that they haven’t put enough thought into. It pays to identify exactly what you want from your trip and start from there.

If you’re looking for a week of partying, opt for a hostel. If you’re going on a romantic getaway with your partner, look into luxury hotel suites. The options for Brisbane accommodation are truly endless, and it’s important to realise that what you choose can have a big effect on your trip.

Does It Tick the Boxes?

Make sure that you’re happy with the services provided by your Brisbane accommodation. Here are a few things you don’t want to forget to look into:

• How’s the bathroom? You don’t want to turn up to your Brisbane accommodation and realise that the bathroom is tiny or unhygienic. You’ll be surprised how satisfying a good bathroom can be throughout a trip.

• Does it have an internet connection? You don’t want to be completely disconnected from reality on your trip, especially if you have work to get done. For this reason, it’s recommended that you choose Brisbane accommodation with Wi-Fi access.

• Are there any additional services? Look for added perks like included breakfast, food preparation areas, swimming pools and anything else you’ll enjoy on your trip.

Where Is It Located?

This is very important, as a poor choice of location can lead to a lot of disappointment. It’s best to choose Brisbane accommodation that’s centrally located and close to the types of places you want to visit. After all, it’ll save you time and money if you opt for Brisbane accommodation that’s easy and quick to travel from. Make a list of the places you want to visit and then find local accommodation accordingly.

Likewise, if you’re travelling for business purposes, make sure you’re close to the conference or seminar you need to attend. It’ll make your life a whole lot easier when you’re not wasting time and money on taxis or public transport.

Is It Highly Regarded?

Do your research and look for reviews online before making a booking. The easiest way to ensure that you’re choosing the right Brisbane accommodation is by choosing an option that has plenty of positive reviews. You’ll thank yourself when you end up staying at Brisbane accommodation that lives up to your standards.

When you think of Florida, Miami is probably the first places that come to mind.  

But insiders know that Florida’s best beaches are actually found in northwest Florida’s Walton County along scenic State Highway 30A.  A narrow, 26-mile stretch of road running from Rosemary Beach to Dune Allen Beach, 30A is home to sugar-white beaches and a relaxed, old-Florida feel.  

Here you won’t fine miles of high-rise condo developments, massive resort hotels or tacky theme parks.  This part of Florida is about beaches and family time.  

30A features a dozen small waterfront communities, but one stands out from the rest: Seaside, Florida.  

The Seaside Experience

There’s no place quite like Seaside.  The original 30A beach community, the town is an architectural landmark that has influenced city planners far beyond Florida.  

While many beachfront towns are sprawling, unplanned developments that grow randomly along a stretch of highway, Seaside is a compact, planned community with a cohesive look and feel.  It was one of America’s first mixed-use communities, with its white picket fence homes clustered around a core of shops, restaurants and art galleries.

The result might just be the perfect beach town: a casual mix of old and new, a place where you can easily walk to the beach or a boutique in a pair of flip flops, a place with a sense of community that you can experience as a guest or a resident.

Where To Stay

You won’t find many hotels along Highway 30A, and you won’t find any within Seaside proper. This is vacation rental country, with guests staying in Seaside’s beachfront cottages.  It’s a chance to live like a local Seaside’s white picket fence community. Book a Seaside vacation rental from The Homeowner’s Collection, a local collective that manages over 65 of Seaside’s cottages.

What To Do

The best way to discover Seaside is by taking a stroll around its central square, which is less than a 5 minute walk from anywhere in Seaside.  Explore the town’s unique, locally-owned boutiques, starting La Vie Est Belle at the west end of the square.  Designer Wendy Mignot, who has created custom jewelry for Hollywood’s A-List celebrities, owns this jewelry shop.

Turn left at Seaside Kids, cross Quincy Circle and explore the boutiques along the alleyway.  You’ll stumble onto a charming garden space that feels like something from antebellum New Orleans.  Here you’ll find hidden treasures like the Red Bird Gallery.

Return to the square and continue to Central Square Records. You remember record stores, don’t you?  Pop into local favorite Sundog Books, the perfect place to buy a great beach read.  

For a quick bite of lunch, walk into Modica Market for gourmet groceries, or stroll over to one of the food trucks along the south side of the amphitheater.

At nighttime the Seaside Amphitheater hosts music, plays and other events.  Spread a blanket in the amphitheater’s greenspace and have a picnic.  

For a sit-down meal, walk across two-lane Highway 30A to Bud & Alleys Restaurant. One of Seaside’s original restaurants, ask for a table on the upstairs porch so you get views of the Gulf of Mexico.   

Continue past the restaurant, pass the Seaside Pavilion and you’ll come to the main attraction: the beach.

Seaside has the largest private beachfront along the Highway 30A corridor. It’s one of the best reasons to stay directly in town.

Ask Cabana Man to setup beach chairs and one of Seaside’s signature blue umbrellas for you.  If you’re feeling active, Cabana Man also offer kayaks, boogie boards and standup paddle boards to get out on the water.  Or just take it easy and watch the waves come and go.  

How To Get Here

The nearest airport is Northwest Florida Beaches Airport (ECP).  Delta, Southwest and United Airlines all offer flights to ECP.

ECP is 35 miles from Seaside. You can rent a car to get to Seaside, but you won’t use it once you get to town.  Beachside Express offers shuttle service from the airport to Seaside. A $70 fee will transport a group of three people.

If arriving by car, Seaside is a five-hour drive from Atlanta, and five hours from New Orleans.