Trip PlanningWe work so hard for our vacation time that we often have very high expectations when we plan a trip, only to be let down when things don't go exactly as we expected. Well, it's impossible to prepare for every possible contingency, especially given all the variables that come with vacation travel, but careful forethought and planning can increase your chances of returning home with happy memories and a little extra money in your pocket.
Cynthia Muchnick is a travel writer and former columnist for Honeymoon Magazine. Here she offers her expert advice for saving hassles and saving money on your next vacation.
- Plan together. There may be one person in your family who takes the lead when it comes to making decisions, but Muchnick feels that, when it comes to a vacation, it's important that everyone be a part of the planning process. Choose a location that appeals to everyone, so that each of you shares in the happiness equally, and so that no one person gets all the blame if things don't work out.
- Do your homework. Books, magazine and websites are a good place to start your research, but Muchnick prefers getting first-hand accounts from friends. Never book a vacation based solely on a location's brochure or advertisement, as they contain information that's far from objective.
- Last minute savings. It's becoming increasingly popular to book vacation packages at the last minute, hoping for discounts on unsold airline seats or hotel rooms. According to Muchnick, cruises are a particularly good choice for this tactic, as they don't like to sail with empty cabins, and may offer them for a fraction of the original price.
- All-inclusives. If you really want to travel without the hassle of making all your own plans, try an all-inclusive resort. Such vacations can spare you of the need to make even the smallest plans, offering you everything from travel arrangements and accommodations to meals and entertainment.
- Expect the unexpected. Weather is the one thing you can never have control over, so always pack at least one item of clothing for weather conditions opposite to what your research suggests. For instance, if the weather in Hawaii is sunny and warm when you get on the plane, you should still have a rain poncho in your luggage, just in case.
For more information on vacation travel, check out the following organizations or websites:
Travelocity
www.travelocity.com
Yahoo! Travel
travel.yahoo.com
Concierge.com
American Express Travel & Entertainment
travel.americanexpress.com/travel/personal/ | 
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