10 Important Things to Do Before Booking Your Next Vacation

10 Things to Do Before Booking Your Next Vacation should put our reader’s mind at ease you dream about your next getaway. If you are planning a vacation in the near future, it’s a good idea to plan first. There are many things to plan for a trip and it can seem overwhelming at times. But, with careful thought beforehand, you can alleviate much of the hassle and the stress. We’ve listed 10 of what we think are the most important things to do when planning the next vacation that will help you get organized for your next road trip.

10 Things to Do Before Booking Your Next Vacation

10 Things to Do Before Booking Your Next Vacation

  1. Budget for your trip. This should be done long before you plan for or book your trip. You need to know that you have enough money to enjoy your vacation without overextending your budget. The key to not going over your limit is in carefully evaluating the approximate cost of each venture before shoving off for your destination. It’s wise to start planning a trip about a year in advance so you’ll be sure the money is there. Without money, there is no vacation getaway. The next 10 Things to Do Before Booking Your Next Vacation list can be checked off according to personal preference
  2. Compare hotels and accommodations. To get the best deal, you will want to do some comparison shopping to find the best deals. By checking prices during different seasons, you will also be able to predict which time of year is the best from a financial perspective. You can save quite a bit of money by going during the off-season when their guest load is much less.
  3. Do research on the surrounding area before you go. Once you have a destination picked out, you will want to do some research on the surrounding area. Do this to check for dining locations, fun activity spots, and shopping centers. Plus, other amenities like gas stations and tourist sites. This way, you’ll have a good idea of where things are and what is available long before you go.
  4. Book airlines early. During seasonal or vacation times, airline bookings can go fast. If you have a preferred flyer program with a specific airline, you’ll want to book as early as possible. Even frequent flyers should take note that “free flights” fill up fast. Act soon and lower the risk of not getting the reservations you want.
  5. Update your car insurance if driving in other states. One safety precaution you should take is to check into your auto insurance and make sure you have adequate coverage for other states. That’s right; you are under the jurisdiction of the states you are driving in if you have an accident. Some are no-fault states while others are not. Read up on the state regulations to see what rules apply in that state and call your auto insurance agent before you go to put some temporary extra coverage on your vehicle. Ask about comprehensive auto insurance, which covers “Acts of God” and things like theft or vandalism.
  6. Make a list of places to go. People often say they don’t want to plan on vacation. “I plan enough during my work week!” they say. They feel they should be able to just kick back and do nothing. But do you really want to just “do nothing?” Usually, you choose a specific vacation destination because you like the scenery, amenities, location, or other aspects of the area. Make a list of what you want to see and do, then stick to it as best you can. It will make you feel you have achieved something. And you’ll get to see some of the things that are most important to you.
  7. Pack all medications, extra clothing, and essentials a week in advance. If it’s not possible to pack your medications early, you could ask your pharmacist to give you some extras if they will do that so you’ll know your meds are packed. If you cannot do this, put a post-it note on your mirror or other location in an obvious site where you will see it so you won’t forget to pack this important item. Also pack some extra clothing and any essentials you’ll need while away including extra cell phone batteries, chargers, and blankets.
  8. Get your car “road ready.” Obviously, some places can only be reached by boat, plane or rail. However, for the road warriors out there, make sure you get a quick checkup for your vehicle before  leaving. Book an appointment with a trusted tire and lube maintenance provider or by visiting your local mechanic’s shop. This will give you extra peace of mind regarding the condition of your vehicle before hitting the road. This is especially true if you plan to take a long road trip. You don’t want to be stranded on the road because you didn’t take the time to check out your vehicle before you head toward your destination.
  9. Get cameras and equipment ready. When you go on vacation, as John Steinbeck once said, “It’s not so much to go but to tell afterward.” This is an interesting comment and one I’ve always remembered as I get ready for my own vacations and road trips. Telling a good story to friends and others afterward is one of the reasons we like to go on vacation. Sure, it’s also to enjoy the time to get away from it all and just relax, too. But think of the stories you can tell if you take a camera or video camera along. With all of the social media access, Facetime, YouTube, and social sharing features. You cannot only share your experience with friends; You can share it with the entire world!
  10. Look for discounts. Finally, if you have any type of discount plans such as hotel discounts, airline discounts or coupons for events, get these together and cash them in to save even more money. You can also check with the hotel you’re dealing with and ask if they have discounts (if you qualify). For example, military discounts, senior citizen or other types of savings.

10 Things to Do Before Booking Your Next Vacation Conclusion

Aloha Hawaii Beach Vacation

With a little careful planning, you’ll be able to plan a great vacation and get a great deal as well. Those who wait until the last minute tend to be the ones left out in the cold (both literally and figuratively). So follow our 10 Things to Do Before Booking Your Next Vacation tips for a great vacation. Please come back and let us know how your vacation went. We love hearing about “trips of a lifetime” and receiving vacation photos too!

We love helping people get ready for a trip of a lifetime on Skycapnews.com. Hopefully, 10 Things to Do Before Booking Your Next Vacation makes life a little less stressful leading up to your departure. Don’t forget to stop by often for more helpful travel tips, destination information, and special features on Skycapnews. We are your source for vacation tips and information year-round!