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