Five things to do before you book a vacation

January 2nd, 2008 by Libby - NWA WorldVacations

The middle of January is peak time for planning and booking a winter get-away or spring break vacation.  Travel agents are busy, airlines run promotions, and call centers are flooded with folks looking for a vacation to break up the winter doldrums.  But are you prepared with the proper information before you pick up the phone?

To make your vacation planning experience a smooth one, consider some of these tips:

1. Have a budget in mind
It’s so much easier to make decisions when you absolutely know what you’re able to spend.  And, if you don’t have a specific destination in mind but you just want to go somewhere sunny, a travel agent can make a better recommendation when she knows something about your budget.

2. Choose dates before you pick up the phone or visit the travel agency
By “dates” we don’t mean “in the next 60 days.”  To get good service and a reliable price, be prepared to give the travel agent a specific timeframe.  Remember that airfares are lower midweek for both departures and returns.  And, remember that the first flights to sell out will be the Saturday flights, especially around your town’s spring break schedule.

3. Know what kinds of hotels you like
Are you five-star all the way, or is a locally run hotel with local flavor and just a few rooms more your style?  It’s helpful to know this about your family or small group, because, once again, an agent can make a better recommendation.  Do you like name brand hotels or independents?  If you don’t plan to be in your room very much, you may opt for a more moderately priced room so you can allocate more of your trip budget to tours and sightseeing excursions.  Do you love gourmet restaurants, or do you enjoy cooking your own meals?  If you enjoy cooking meals, a suite-hotel (with a kitchen) might be your best choice, allowing you to save money by preparing some of your meals in your room.

4. Consider fly-time
Are there direct flights to your chosen destination from your city?  How long is the flight?  Do you care about connections?  If you’re only going for a few days, or you simply want to maximize every moment of your vacation, maybe consider a destination with shorter, convenient, direct flights from your hometown.  That means more time enjoying your vacation and less time on planes or in airports.

5. Ask around
So you’ve been to Aruba and you want to visit the Caribbean again, but you’re not sure where to go?  The Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico and Jamaica may all sound great, but are they great for you?  Do you know that Grand Cayman is known for diving?  Or that Puerto Rico is home to great beaches, the only tropical rainforest in the United States, and NASA’s Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI)?  Talk to your friends and family - find out what they liked about a destination.  Then, to make sure you’ve got the facts straight, call a travel agent for their expertise.

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