| Europe is a very popular travel destination. | | | | |
| Whether you're a seasoned traveler or | | | | 6. How you like to spend your time: Take a |
| planning your first trip, there are several | | | | little time to think about what you like |
| important things to keep in mind before | | | | doing before planning your trip. Do you |
| calling your travel agent and booking the | | | | prefer the water, or the mountains? Lying on |
| next vacation: | | | | the beach, or rock-climbing? Adrenaline |
| | | | rushes or visiting an art museum? |
| 1. While "Paris in the Springtime" sounds | | | | |
| very romantic, the truth is that you're | | | | While going outside your comfort zone and |
| liable to spend many days indoors, because | | | | trying new things can be a great experience, |
| the weather can be cold and rainy. On the | | | | spending your time doing something that bores |
| other hand, the French Riviera in the | | | | you silly or makes you uncomfortable and |
| springtime boasts warm temperatures, sunshine | | | | unhappy just doesn't make sense. Once you |
| and beautiful places to visit. If you're not | | | | know what you want to do, figure out what |
| sure of weather patterns, check with your | | | | you'll have time to do. Many times, in an |
| travel agent who can advise you on rainy | | | | effort to get the "most bang for our buck" we |
| seasons or other weather-related issues for | | | | tend to over plan the vacation, and end up |
| traveling to a specific spot. | | | | needing a vacation from the vacation when we |
| | | | get home! Prioritize your list, and be |
| 2. Budget: Decide how much you've got to | | | | willing to save some activities or |
| spend, and don't forget to include extras | | | | attractions for another trip. |
| like tourist attractions, getting around, | | | | |
| souvenirs and meals (which are typically more | | | | 7. Use the resources that are available to |
| expensive in Europe than in the states -- | | | | make your trip special and save money: |
| dinner can cost upwards of 50 Euros per | | | | Today's travelers have numerous options when |
| person, especially in metropolitan cities). | | | | planning their vacation. You can use the |
| If your budget is smaller, consider visiting | | | | Internet to find out more about the cities or |
| Eastern Europe, looking for packaged tours, | | | | countries you want to visit, check out |
| or, if you're flexible, book a "last-minute" | | | | prices, even book your flight or hotel room. |
| trip, which can often save you 30% or more. | | | | If you're visiting a place for the first |
| Check out the current exchange rate between | | | | time, check with a travel agent, talk to |
| your currency and that of the country you'll | | | | someone who's "been there, done that" on an |
| be visiting, to have a better idea of what | | | | Internet Forum, or contact local chambers or |
| your vacation is going to actually cost you. | | | | commerce or travel councils to get more |
| Whenever possible, travel during an off-peak | | | | information about where to go, what to see |
| season to save even more. | | | | and what to do. |
| | | | |
| 3. Your secret dreams or "someday" wishes: | | | | 8. You can use trip-planning software, or |
| For most of us, taking a vacation is | | | | your own favorite organizing system to |
| something we get to do only once a year, and | | | | organize and plan your trip. Don't forget |
| often plan and save the whole year for. So if | | | | things like making sure your passport and |
| you have always wanted to visit somewhere or | | | | picture ID are up-to-date, finding out if |
| do something special -- why wait? Include it | | | | travel insurance is something you need, and |
| in your next vacation plans. | | | | how and where to exchange your money. The |
| | | | more organized you are in the beginning, the |
| 4. Political Climate: While most countries | | | | better vacation you'll have. |
| that rely on tourism make every effort to | | | | |
| ensure the safety of tourists, these days | | | | 9. Most of us take too much on a vacation, |
| it's always a good idea to keep up on the | | | | and end up lugging heavy suitcases and other |
| current political climate of the country | | | | bags along filled with items that we either |
| you're planning to visit, especially if there | | | | don't use or don't need. When planning your |
| have been problems in the past. | | | | trip, look at your wardrobe and pack as |
| | | | lightly as you can. Take only what you'll |
| 5. Your own "internal clock": If you prefer | | | | really need, and remember that if you forget |
| sleeping in, in the mornings, and "doing your | | | | or end up needing something, chances are you |
| own thing" then a guided tour is probably not | | | | can get it once you reach your destination. |
| for you. Most guided tours start early in the | | | | |
| morning, and you're on the go until evening. | | | | 10. Have fun! Get organized, make your plans |
| You may visit several cities in a country or | | | | and expect the best. That way, once you're on |
| countries within a specified amount of time, | | | | your way, you'll be able to relax and enjoy |
| and you're required to stay with the group. | | | | yourself. But remember, there are very few |
| | | | "perfect" vacations, so if something does go |
| On the other hand, if you don't like | | | | wrong, try to relax and "go with the flow" as |
| traveling alone, you enjoy the companionship | | | | much as possible. Experienced travelers say |
| of others and getting to see as much as | | | | that sometimes their best vacations have been |
| possible in the time you've got, a guided | | | | the ones where the unexpected happened. |
| tour or cruise may be just the thing for you. | | | | |