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Ten Tips for Planning Your VacationKathy Paauw I hope that by sharing my personal experiences, you will avoid learning similar lessons the hard way. And it goes to show that those little details in the planning of a vacation can make a huge difference in the outcome. You can make your next vacation relaxing and enjoyable by following these simple vacation planning tips. 1. Keep your vacation planning information in one place. Create a labeled file folder "Hawaii Vacation" and use it to keep your airline, hotel, car rental information, as well as maps or AAA guide books, tourist information, contact information for people you know in that city, etc. You can find all this information at Holidays, Vacations and Traveling 2. Plan ahead for your wardrobe. Think about all of the activities you might do, and imagine what youd want to wear for each activity. For example, on the beach you might want a swimsuit, cover-up, slip-on footwear or water shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses... maybe even a face mask, snorkel, and some flippers. Will the kids want shovels and buckets to build a sand castle Do you need to supply your own beach towel, or will you be staying somewhere that supplies this for you What about waterproof sunscreen The more you can visualize yourself on the beach, the better prepared you will be. 3. Use a travel checklist. Ive created a Packing List to get you started. Once youve tailored this to your needs, keep it in the travel file youve created. This will help you remember to pack both the basic necessities, as well as some of the more obscure things you might not remember but would want to take with you. 4. Let children pack their own travel bags, and make sure their bag is small enough that they can carry it themselves. Help them select things they can do on the road or in the air: Walkman and cassettes or CDs, books, handheld video games, portable crafts, card games. Talk about seating arrangements ahead of time to avoid conflict among siblings about who will sit where. 5. Pack a carry-on that is small enough to stay with you at all times. Include necessities that you must have, in the event that you get separated from your other luggage for a day. If you need to take medication on a regular basis, be sure this is with you, and not in your checked luggage. If you are combining a business and vacation trip and need something for a presentation the next day, take it in your carry-on rather than checking it. 6. Plan early to get the best selection and to get early booking discounts. If youre really adventuresome and are not particular about where you want to go, you can also book reservations last-minute. There is some risk involved in doing this, but you can also get some great deals this way. Find some great bargains at airline tickets. 7. If youre driving, you may wish to map out your trip ahead of time and make hotel reservations along the way if you are traveling during peak vacation time. Mapquest offers a helpful Website for mapping out your route and estimating travel time under normal driving conditions. 8. If youre traveling to another country, check out the Currency Converter for International Exchange Rates. If youd like to master a few useful phrases in a foreign language, visit the Foreign Language Assistance Website. It even contains some sound clips so you can pronounce words properly. 9. If your vacation plans include staying home rather than traveling, plan how you will spend your vacation to rejuvenate yourself. Perhaps there are some local attractions that youve been wanting to experience but have not had the time to experience. Are there people you want to connect with Get clear about what you want to do and who you want to do it with, and then plan to make it happen. If your vacation includes having a friend or relative flying in to visit you, you can check the status of a flight to see if they will arrive on time. 10. This is the most important tip of all: pack the right attitude. Let go of the "what if" and enjoy the moment. Remind yourself what matters most, and focus on that. If this is a vacation to get away and relax, then focus on activities and thoughts that will be relaxing. If your goal is to reconnect with family and build memories together, that can be done regardless of circumstances missing a flight, not getting tickets to an event you wanted to attend, etc.. If your goal is to sight-see and take in some special attractions or shows, then plan ahead and make the reservations necessary to ensure that you can do what you want to do when you get there.
| RELATED ARTICLES German castles -- 4 of the most incredible ones -- Part II Welcome to the second part of my special report of 4 awesome German castles! As I already have told, we have a long history here in Germany and very medieval castles. You can find them all over the country, but those four I have focused on South Germany, so that you do not have to travel hundreds of kilometres/miles and lose valuable time. Las Vegas "Whales" What Las Vegas jargon names "whales" is in fact the creme of the high rollers species. They are a handfull of people that in some opinions dont exceed 500 individuals in the world. Las Vegas hoteliers are nuts about them; some claim four or five of those whales bet much more than the rest of the thousands customers they receive daily. No wonder they are suspected of going as far as selling their first born child to get one of those whales into their gaming area. How to Travel for Free by Leading or Promoting Tours Whether youre 16 or 60, you CAN travel just about anywhere in the world for free -- and even with a nice stash of cash in your pocket -- by telling like-minded people about a trip and convincing them to go with you.Get 5 to 20 to book the same trip, and your trip is free. Walt Disney World For Teens Can teens really have fun at a place like Walt Disney World Absolutely! Actually, be prepared to have the time of your life. It’s a safe place to assert some independence from your parents, a place you’ll never forget. Here are some of the best experiences for teens at "The Most Magical Place on Earth": Carnival Cruise - a perfect holiday, Rock and Rolling with Carnival Cruise If you want to have fun for one low price, all you need is a Carnival cruise. A Carnival cruise is a perfect way to pamper yourself. You don*t have to worry about paying extra for meals, entertainment and a range of activities. You just unpack once on the cruise ship. You are in the capable hands of fitness experts having massages, loofah treatments, hairstyles, saunas, pedicures, applying soothing masks and micro-facelifts, there is a complete relaxation schedule for you with nautical spas, and the exercise programs. Mystery of the Mummy Ancient Egyptian mummies have long sparked our imaginations, starring in countless horror films and novels. But what are they How were they made Why were they made Thats the mystery of the mummy. Ditch The Hotel For A Villa Or Vacation Home Two visits to Budapest.Two apartments, walking distance from downtown.I did not even set foot in the Hilton.My mother and I saw Budapest like only someone who stays away from the Americanized hotels can.We stayed with the locals.We came to feel the city, not just see it. The Rise and Rise of Croatia for Sailing Holidays In the 1980s, Croatia - then part of Yugoslavia - built up a sizeable yacht charter industry. It was never then on the scale to rival long time favourite Greece, but it was large enough to get itself noticed as an attractive coming destination. Then came the various Balkan wars - one of them involving Croatia itself - and the disintegration of old Yugoslavia. Croatia is now the ex-Yugoslav republic with almost all the coast line! The Sights, Sounds, and People of Morelia, Mexico As the sun set on my first evening in Morelia, I found myself reflecting on the day’s events and my initial impressions of this old colonial style city that would be my home for the next several months. Take a Vacation---You Deserve It. A vacation is just what the doctor ordered for many people. While there is nothing wrong with working hard, it’s always fun to get away. Given the low cost of airline tickets these days, many people can go almost anywhere they want. From skiing in the mountains to sunbathing next to a pool, a vacation is a great time to relax and have some fun. Whether your have a day or a month off, make the most of it by doing something that you enjoy. The $30 K Wedding Alternative Thwart wedding bell apprehension when you explore your nuptial options. Las Vegas Centennial Party Las Vegas turns 100 this year, on May 15th. Las Vegas Events LVE and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority LVCVA have a mega-party planned to last all the year round, debuting December 31st 2004. How To Enjoy Croatia 1. Why Croatia The Best Orlando Has to Offer So you’re headed to Orlando... but where to start You’ll find such a wealth of fantastic resorts and restaurants it can be difficult to choose exactly what you wish to indulge in. How best can you plan a visit in which each day comes with the finest this marvelous vacation spot has to offer In order to help you in making the overwhelming decisions of where to stay and what places to dine, here are what I believe to be Orlando’s best offerings: 5 Romantic Travel Resolutions A new year always means a chance for a new start. You and yours can begin this new year by making some travel resolutions together, regardless of your time and budget restraints. Put aside those old travel habits and make some new ones! Let this be the year that your travel plans focus on fun, fantasy, and festivities! A Word About Accreditation ACCREDITED VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION--ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE! Marital Bliss - Honeymoon Cruise A Honeymoon Cruise as the name suggests offers a gateway to paradise for honeymooners away from the pressures of daily life and enjoy the bliss of togetherness. This provides an opportunity for you to start your married life in a state of togetherness by exploring the unknown and enjoying nature and life. Why a Cruise Vacation is a Dream Holiday Thinking you could use an escape from the wintertime blahs, maybe even that dream holiday youve been thinking about for years A Caribbean cruise vacation is the answer! What makes a cruise your dream holiday, you ask Well, put simply, a cruise combines all the elements of a dream vacation into one blissful trip. There is ALWAYS something to do, no matter your age or interests. Whether youre on your honeymoon, vacationing with the family, or spending quality time reuniting old friends, a cruise is guaranteed to fulfill your dreams. ThinkExist.com’s Top Ten Summer Books MADRID – ThinkExist.com, a comprehensive quotation search engine with over 90,000 quotations from 11,000 authors, has selected ten books for satisfying summer reading.Whether on the beach or a coffee break, this collection will surely engage and relax the most demanding readers. 16 Tips For Preventing Passport Problems Carelessness is the number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged. |
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