| I hope that by sharing my personal | | | | trip and need something for a presentation |
| experiences, you will avoid learning similar | | | | the next day, take it in your carry-on rather |
| lessons the hard way. And it goes to show | | | | than checking it.6. Plan early to get the |
| that those little details in the planning of | | | | best selection and to get early booking |
| a vacation can make a huge difference in the | | | | discounts. If you're really adventuresome and |
| outcome. You can make your next vacation | | | | are not particular about where you want to |
| relaxing and enjoyable by following these | | | | go, you can also book reservations |
| simple vacation planning tips.1. Keep your | | | | last-minute. There is some risk involved in |
| vacation planning information in one place. | | | | doing this, but you can also get some great |
| Create a labeled file folder ("Hawaii | | | | deals this way. Find some great bargains at |
| Vacation") and use it to keep your airline, | | | | airline tickets.7. If you're driving, you may |
| hotel, car rental information, as well as | | | | wish to map out your trip ahead of time and |
| maps or AAA guide books, tourist information, | | | | make hotel reservations along the way if you |
| contact information for people you know in | | | | are traveling during peak vacation time. |
| that city, etc. You can find all this | | | | Mapquest offers a helpful Website for mapping |
| information at Holidays, Vacations and | | | | out your route and estimating travel time |
| Traveling2. Plan ahead for your wardrobe. | | | | under normal driving conditions.8. If you're |
| Think about all of the activities you might | | | | traveling to another country, check out the |
| do, and imagine what you'd want to wear for | | | | Currency Converter for International Exchange |
| each activity. For example, on the beach you | | | | Rates.If you'd like to master a few useful |
| might want a swimsuit, cover-up, slip-on | | | | phrases in a foreign language, visit the |
| footwear or water shoes, a sun hat, | | | | Foreign Language Assistance Website. It even |
| sunglasses... maybe even a face mask, | | | | contains some sound clips so you can |
| snorkel, and some flippers. Will the kids | | | | pronounce words properly.9. If your vacation |
| want shovels and buckets to build a sand | | | | plans include staying home rather than |
| castle? Do you need to supply your own beach | | | | traveling, plan how you will spend your |
| towel, or will you be staying somewhere that | | | | vacation to rejuvenate yourself. Perhaps |
| supplies this for you? What about waterproof | | | | there are some local attractions that you've |
| sunscreen? The more you can visualize | | | | been wanting to experience but have not had |
| yourself on the beach, the better prepared | | | | the time to experience. Are there people you |
| you will be.3. Use a travel checklist. I've | | | | want to connect with? Get clear about what |
| created a Packing List to get you started. | | | | you want to do and who you want to do it |
| Once you've tailored this to your needs, keep | | | | with, and then plan to make it happen. If |
| it in the travel file you've created. This | | | | your vacation includes having a friend or |
| will help you remember to pack both the basic | | | | relative flying in to visit you, you can |
| necessities, as well as some of the more | | | | check the status of a flight to see if they |
| obscure things you might not remember but | | | | will arrive on time.10. This is the most |
| would want to take with you.4. Let children | | | | important tip of all: pack the right |
| pack their own travel bags, and make sure | | | | attitude. Let go of the "what if" and enjoy |
| their bag is small enough that they can carry | | | | the moment. Remind yourself what matters |
| it themselves. Help them select things they | | | | most, and focus on that. If this is a |
| can do on the road or in the air: Walkman and | | | | vacation to get away and relax, then focus on |
| cassettes or CDs, books, handheld video | | | | activities and thoughts that will be |
| games, portable crafts, card games. Talk | | | | relaxing. If your goal is to reconnect with |
| about seating arrangements ahead of time to | | | | family and build memories together, that can |
| avoid conflict among siblings about who will | | | | be done regardless of circumstances (missing |
| sit where.5. Pack a carry-on that is small | | | | a flight, not getting tickets to an event you |
| enough to stay with you at all times. Include | | | | wanted to attend, etc.). If your goal is to |
| necessities that you must have, in the event | | | | sight-see and take in some special |
| that you get separated from your other | | | | attractions or shows, then plan ahead and |
| luggage for a day. If you need to take | | | | make the reservations necessary to ensure |
| medication on a regular basis, be sure this | | | | that you can do what you want to do when you |
| is with you, and not in your checked luggage. | | | | get there. |
| If you are combining a business and vacation | | | | |