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