Organizing your next travel adventure

If you can google it, you can research it. If you can research it, you can live it. Anything is possible. You just have to figure out what you want.

If you want fabulous travel stories and money is no object, pick up a magazine and choose something from the glossy pages. Phone, or click and start your vacation. IF you're more like me, and money is always an issue, then you need to put in the time and do the research.

First... what kind of vacation are you after? Tropical? European? Land or Sea? Backyard adventure? Hands on experience? Something you saw on TV?

Step 2... Google.  What did you see in the magazine that you wanted?  Now, do you want to be on that exact beach or something similar? Or do you want to eat in a restaurant you saw on the Food Network?  Where is it?

Step 3... How do you get there? Car, plane? If it's a plane... research what airlines fly to your potential destination. Is it seasonal service? What does it cost?

Step 4... Research the the country, the climate, the politics, the money, the crime, the tourism industry, the activities available.  Can you live with the answers?  If yes, keep going. If not, move on to another destination. What do the folks on Trip Advisor have to say about it?

Step 5.... Find out where you want to stay. Then... and this is the most important step.... find a way to start communicating with them. Usually this is as easy as subscribing to their e-mail list. It won't be long before they are sending you special offers. This includes getting on the mailing list of the airline you plan to use so that you get notice of seat sales. Seat sales often only last a day or two. It pays (or saves!) to be on top of this.

Step 6...  Price out your potential vacation. Try it in various months or dates. National holidays and school holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, Spring Break etc) will tend to be higher. Can you go at less busy times?  Once you have a good grasp on the cost, start planning and saving.  Corny as it may sound... I have a big glass pickle that says "My Maui Money" on it. You can bet it's a great visual reminder of where I want to go and that I need to be saving for it.

A little research and some advance planning can save a lot. I believe it's the key to a dream vacation. Last minute bargains can be fabulous... spontaneous and fun... HOWEVER you may be getting the vacation that no body else wanted. You may not get the type of vacation that suits you. You may be getting something that is "good enough" at a good price.

I truly believe that the research and the anticipation and the planning process can be inspirational. Even thinking about a great future vacation can be a stress reliever. Knowing that you have something to look forward to can be a great motivator.