Planning vacation is easy and fun so you don’t have to worry about getting overwhelmed. First, take a deep breath. Don’t panic. Relax if you have never done it before. Let me help you plan a wonderful vacation with these simple steps.
1. Set your budget.
There are many options for determining your budget. I prefer to set a price per person and then work out how to find the best deals on travel deals depending on where I want go on a low-cost vacation. Budgeting for vacations or getaways should be realistic. For a budget-friendly vacation, a reasonable amount is $800 to $1200 per person, including airfare, hotel, car hire, food, tips and airport parking. The average cost of a two-to three-day business trip across the country is around the same so it’s very affordable for a week’s vacation (especially if it involves air travel or a longer stay).
2. Select Your Destination
Here’s an insider travel tip. Although I have been to many amazing destinations, I rarely choose my destination. I choose my destination. Although it can be frustrating, I can assure you that I chose my destination. I have seen starfish live underwater while snorkeling off Negril’s beach. I have also climbed the Great Wall of China, visited the Panama Canal, and met a baby sloth in a sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica. These vacation spots were not chosen because of a deep desire to visit Montego Bay, Beijing or Panama City, nor was it because I was looking for a deal. Vacation planning by chasing a deal can be a great way of saving money and getting cheap vacations. Although I’ve been to some amazing places and visited vacation destinations that I would not have chosen, I realized that I was unable to go to Bora, Bora, Tahiti (a lifelong travel goal) because of the travel deal. I also want to take the “Sound of Music Tour” in Salzburg, Austria. You have two options: pursue the best deal or follow your travel dreams.
3. Book your Airfare, Hotel and Car Rental.
Book everything as a package when you are vacation planning. This will save you hundreds of dollars. Although I have no technological reasons why it saves money, it does. You can experiment with your online travel booking engine by asking questions separately and then purchasing a package. However, it has been proven to work and save money. According to an independent survey conducted by Topaz International, Rovia Travel offers the lowest online prices 68% of all time compared to Expedia and Travelocity. You might want to consider Rovia Travel.
4. Research Your Vacation Destination & Plan Your Travel Itinerary.
Planning great vacation itineraries and researching my vacation destination is something I excel at. I love researching the top tourist attractions in the destination I’m planning to visit. While some people like to just “wing it,” vacation planning can make your trip cost hundreds of dollars. Two great options exist to research. The first is the online resources available at local tourism offices in the area you are visiting. These tools have all the information you need, and many offer travel coupons and deals that you might not be able to find elsewhere. A great guidebook is the second thing I love to do. Rick Steves’ Travel Guide Books Europe and Frommer’s Travel Guide Books Europe are well-researched and written. They also update their books nearly every year so that you always have the most up-to-date information.
5. Create two checklists.
You now need to create two checklists for vacation planning. The first is a list that you need to complete before you leave for vacation. You can find a pet sitter or neighbor to pick up your mail. If you are traveling internationally, you should also secure a passport and visa. Get medical vaccinations. Call your credit card companies to inform them that you will be traveling. Also, let them know what cities and countries you expect to pay. A list of what to bring is the second part of your vacation planning.
That wasn’t too bad was it? You can see how easy vacation planning is for even the most inexperienced traveler. These are the essentials of vacation planning. We also have many bonus travel tips on our website (see below). This will help you explore a variety of destinations around the globe. Have a wonderful vacation and Bon Voyage.
