Vacation PlanningPlanning Ahead to Save Time and Money

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IntroductionPlanning a get-way vacation can be tedious. Certain planning before you leave will ensure everyone has a trip to remember.

This is an interactive, self-paced guide to aid you, the trip planner, with decisions that need to be made before you leave.

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Dates & TimingThe best time to vacation is either before or after the peak season

However, if you start planning, at least a year in advance, transportation, equipment, tours and all of the extras will be less expensive

Last minute reservations and planning can get EXPENSIVE

Budget – Equipment - Transport• Budget

– Establish a budget to avoid over spending• Equipment

– Identification: Passports are best (allow 3 month for processing)– Consider the follow…:

• Hiking shoes – your feet will thank you• What do I need to take with me?• Is it cheaper to rent equipment ? If I buy it, will I use it again?

• Transportation– Airline tickets are cheaper if made in advance

• Reservation made from 4 weeks are less, WILL COST YOU MORE. – Car for all or some of the trip– Taxi, Bus, Public Transportation (PT)

• PT may be less expensive if you can purchase a pass, in advance

Taking Care of the Homestead• House

• Have a neighbor house sit• Turn on some light

• Possible with a timer• Pick up your mail• During the summer, need to

water the plants

• You want to make sure the house appears to be lived in

• If it looks like you are away, the mice WILL play.

Resources

• Budget Planning– Try budgetworksheets.org

• Trip Planning– Consider using a travel agent– Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Jettsetter.com

• Check lists– Try realsimple.com for ideas

Theme

• Consider what type of vacation you want to take:

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Relaxing Adventure Site Seeing

Beach Camping Destinations

Cruise Trekking Tours

Cabin Exploring

Beach

• Consider your options:– A remote beach

• Hawaii• Caribbean• Bahamas• Australia

– Something a little closer • Nearby lake• Gulf of Mexico• US East Coast• US West Coast

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CruisesFun on the Seas

• Family– Carnival cruises are themed for younger travelers

• Clubs allow you to drop off children to be entertained for the day (on the boat of course)• They also have adult things to do as well, such as comedy clubs, shows, gambling and the list goes on

– Disney cruises• Great for families with younger children (12 and under)

• Adults– Norwegian, RoyalCaribbean & Princess

• These cruise lines are for those who have retired or in need of a get away (without the kids)

• Additional information– Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, Jettsetter.com and the list goes on

• Cost– Certain cruises go to different places that require extra money– Research the cruise lines ports of call and make reservations early– A little known fact is that gratuities are added to your final bill, extra tipping is EXTRA– How are you getting there? Parking? Taxi?– Extras

• Drinks , Activities, excursions, dining

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CabinsBring your things, move in and enjoy

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Cabins come in all shapes and sizes

Cabins can be rented, fully equipped with kitchen and you name it. All you have to do is move in

Some cabins are just empty shells, you bring your own items

Consider the following to help guide you:• Koa.com/lodging• texascabinrentals.net Tips and Tricks to Cabin Camping:

Cabin Camping

CampingPitch a tent in the great outdoors

• Basics– Food

• How will you cook the food you bring?– Water

• Will potable water be available, if not, how will I supply– Shelter

• What type of tent will I need• Sleeping equipment

– Clothing• Consider the season and dress appropriately

• Other items– Know what type of animals will be in your environment– Let family and friends know where you will be going and for how long

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TrekkingExploring sites not seen from your vehicle

• Prepare yourself physically before you go– Don’t assume that you can hike 10 miles– Backpacks can get heavy

• Equipment– Research what type of equipment that you will

need (tents, sleeping bag)• Research

– Ask questions from experienced people– Consider having a guide– Make sure that people know where you are

going• Itineraries – make one give it to someone; just in

case

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ExploringI have always wanted to go there…

• First, decide where to go for your vacation• Need a little help deciding?– Try this website to give you some direction• Exploreworldwide.com

– Type in what type of exploration you want to go on– This website will ask questions about what type of

experience you want

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DestinationsGreat cities await for you to see

• Have some place in mind? Somewhere you always wanted to visit?

• This website can help with popular destinations, deal and trip ideas– Budgettravel.com

• Another idea resource…– Destination-magazines.com

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ToursPre-packaged trips to choose from

• Tours and tour packages can help with planning such as– Travel/transportation – Getting you there and help

when you ARE there– Varying in cost, tour packages exist for everyone’s

budget– Resources:• Tours.com• Trafalgar.com

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