Vacation Planning 101 : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Vacation Planning 101

Does planning your vacation cause you stress? If planned in advance and with a little organization, your next vacation could be your best one yet. Here are some tips to help you with your next vacation whether it is staying in state, relaxing on a beach or going on a safari:

· There are two basic ways to book travel arrangements. One is to book all components separately. The second is to buy a travel package. If you book components separately you can mix and match air travel, hotels, or car rentals as needed. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you can mix and match components to exactly fit your plans worldwide. Travel packages are best if you are planning to fly to your destination and stay at a hotel or resort. Travel packages often let you take advantage of special low, unpublished, negotiated airfare that can only be sold together with accommodations as a package deal. Some great websites to book your travels with are: www.Orbitz.com, www.Travel.com, www.FareFox.com.

· Stay close to home: More than 100 businesses and destinations in and around Denver, from restaurants to cultural attractions to art galleries, are offering special $52.80 deals in an effort to boost area tourism during this economic downturn. See a full list of deals at www.denver5280deals.com.

· If your travel takes you to a foreign nation it is important to be aware of any immunization requirements you may need. The National Center for Infectious Diseases website can give you travel health precautions, info on safe food and water, etc. The web address is: www.cdc.gov/travel. Also, don’t forget your passport!

· Are you traveling with children or pets? Planning in advance will alleviate an undue stress on both of you. Make sure your children have things to do that will occupy them on a long flight and snacks, as most airlines don’t provide much in the way of meals any longer. For more travel tips for children and pets look at www.travelsense.org.

· If you don’t have the time or desire to book your trip yourself, you can contact a travel agent. Travel agents often are privy to special deals on packages that you are unable to get on your own. If you don’t know a good travel agent, check the yellow pages or you can find travel agents online at www.travelagentspecials.com.

· Get free travel guides from www.travelbrochurecenter.com. The majority of these vacation guides are from State Tourism Departments and City Visitors Bureaus and offer information on some of the most popular destinations in the United States and Canada.

· Time magazine writes about www.airbnb.com in this article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1890387-2,00.html . It is an online service where members can rent space from each other in their homes. All types of properties are available from renting a whole house to a private room, to a pull-out couch in a living room. What’s interesting is not all users are college age kids looking for a crash pad. Families and elderly people are using this site as a source for non-traditional, in-expensive lodging.

Remember vacation planning shouldn’t be stressful and with these great tools to help, you just may find your next great adventure!

Bon Voyage!