A vacation could be a stress-free adventure full of activities to keep you busy — or could be doing absolutely nothing in a place away from phones and computers. People vacation to learn about different cultures, experience historic places, observe wildlife in nature, taste new foods or just to relax on a beach, all at a good value. A good vacation starts with good planning.
Here are a few tips that will help you with your planning:
First of all, do not go someplace just because you know someone who went there. You need to find a place full of the activities that interest you, not interest your friend! Do some research about your destination and understand what it has to offer. Be aware of the seasons at your destination. If a price is a lot lower at a certain time of year, it could be because it is the rainy season or because of something else that is keeping people away at that time.
Everyone thinks they want the lowest price when they travel but in reality most people want a good value. Value rarely means the cheapest price. If you are going all the way to a beach destination, do you really want to save a few dollars and stay in a less-than- perfect hotel away from the beach? Sometimes just paying a little more can make the difference between a less-than-expected vacation and an unforgettable memory. There are still ways to save while staying at a good hotel by giving up your ocean view for a garden view room. You could also save by doing an all-inclusive resort or a cruise, rather than having to pay out of your pocket for every meal, which can be very expensive.
You can also save money if you can be flexible on your travel days. Sometimes the airfare is hundreds of dollars less by just going a day or two earlier or later. The least expensive days to travel are generally Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The most expensive days are Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. The earlier you book your flights usually gets you the better price. The major airlines allow you to book 11 months in advance. Make sure of your dates before you book since nearly all airfares are non-refundable and require huge change fees. Be careful flying the ultra-discount airlines that charge for everything you can imagine, including paying for seat assignments, printing boarding passes, using a credit card, carry-on and checked luggage, water onboard and other charges. Always read the fine print! You can save some money with them if you follow their rules to the T.
People ask if there really are last-minute cruise deals. Yes, there are but you must be very flexible with your time. The last-minute cruise deals are usually sailing out of Florida or a distant country. The problem is that you never know which date or itinerary they will be offering. If you find a last- minute deal in Florida, your last-minute airfare to get there will usually be sky-high. I find it better to book your cruise and your air as far in advance as you can and that will almost always work out to be the best price in the end.
Unexpected missed details can destroy a trip even before you leave your hometown. Make sure you know what documents are required for the countries you will visit and make sure you bring them. Some countries like Brazil require a visa to be secured, which sometimes takes up to a couple of months. Make sure your travel documents reflect the exact same name as on your passport. It is amazing how many people book travel assuming they know their own name when their passport is different. If you show up at the airport or the dock without the proper documentation, you will not be allowed to board. Also, check your passport expiration date. Some countries require that you have six months of validity left on your passport from the date you return home from your trip.
Another important question is whether or not you can use your cell phone out of the country. It is critical to make sure you contact your cell phone company to see what the charges will be. Many companies will sell you a package that allows a certain number of phone minutes and text messages. Make sure you don’t exceed your purchased package or it could be very expensive. Be careful with your cell phone on a cruise ship. You can call and text from a ship but it is very expensive, and the ship will add their own charges to your cell bill, so turn your cell or device to airplane mode to avoid unexpected charges. You can buy Internet minutes on a ship but they are costly and the reliability is slow and patchy.
Many people ask if they should buy travel insurance. There are now so many non-refundable airfares and vacations that travel insurance has become very important. Most travel insurances will cover you if you get too sick to travel but be aware of any pre-existing condition limitations on your policy. They may also cover you when traveling outside the country for illness or accident as well as other coverages for delayed flights, lost luggage and trip interruption. Most of your personal health insurance policies will not cover you outside the U.S. and most countries will require that you pay for the services before allowing you to leave the country. Most travel insurance prices are based on your age and the cost of the trip. Some lower-cost travel insurance offered by the cruise line or vacation company will not refund you in cash or give you 100 percent of the value. Many will only give you a credit towards future travel with their company.
Vacations give you a respite from your normal life while providing you with a well-deserved change of pace. Vacations can change your perspective on people, places and cultures. There is something amazing about standing in front of a site that you saw pictures of in your high school text-books. Travel can relax you, educate you and can definitely change your life.
Gary Sorensen is a vice president with Morris Murdock Travel and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years.