Effectively Planning A Trip Without Losing Your Mind

by erin on June 7, 2010

It’s hard to get excited about a vacation when there are so many things to plan. However, planning a fun family get away is easy when you take it little by little. Knowing the specific things you need to do can help you get everything done in advance, allowing you to look forward to your vacation without having to dread it. Find your family’s passports before you even begin your search for a destination. If they are nowhere to be found, go ahead and get a passport replacement. These have become a lot easier than they used to be, so you won’t have to give up your sanity in order to obtain a new passport. Start planning your vacation as soon as you can. It’s never to early and booking early can end up saving you a lot of money.

The most exciting part about planning a vacation is picking the destination. Keep in mind exactly who you will be bringing with you and when you are going to go. The weather and the season heavily influence the outcome of your vacation. You don’t want to be traveling to Canada in the middle of the winter. Also, keep an eye out for family friendly attractions and activities. Taking the children to Tijuana probably isn’t the best idea, and there are many other destinations that are both kid and adult friendly.

If your passport is missing or if you have a damaged passport, invest in a passport renewal as soon as you can. A passport can take six weeks just to get to you, and you don’t want to be without one as your departure date approaches. Contact the embassy located at your destination country and see if you need visas or if you will have to pay an entrance fee. Also ask about which vaccinations are required. This information varies from country to country, so be sure what’s expected of you to avoid any last minute surprises.

Simply writing out your budget can help you effectively plan a vacation without causing huge amounts of stress. Talk with your spouse or whomever else will be traveling with you and discuss how much you will spend on the vacation. A good vacation doesn’t equate to an expensive one. Look online for cheap flight deals and ask friends and family which travel sites or services they use. Many sites online offer hotel, flight, and rental car packages that let you book all of this for less with just one click.

Write down all the important phone numbers, addresses, and an itinerary for a family member or a close friend so they will always be able to reach you. Make a copy of this information for babysitters and pet-sitters as well. Refill all the prescriptions your family will need for the duration of the trip and be sure to have enough medication and first aid should anyone need it.

Some of the best attractions around the world are completely free, allowing you and your family to have a memorable vacation without having to break your budget. So if you find your passport crumpled up in an old suitcase covered in who-knows-what, spend the money on a United States online passport renewal. A damaged American passport doesn’t have many benefits. Last of all, get some batteries and grab your camera, and get ready for a trip that you won’t soon forget.

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