One of the best ways to get away and still maintain a reasonable travel budget is often one of those all-inclusive trips. If you are patient and spend some time online, you can find deals that offer airfare and hotel rooms as well as your food and drinks. They don’t require a travel agent and you can book them yourself. The drawback to an all-inclusive vacation is that since everything is provided for you, you may not partake in many of the sights and sounds of the location. You may not do much more than just relax at the hotel. But a really good vacation does not mean you have to take in every single thing the area has to offer. Sometimes what you need the most is the rest and relaxation that you most likely will not get if you just stay home for your vacation.

Cruises are a great example of all-inclusive travel. They also are one price. Food, lodging and entertainment are all a part of the package. Some of the best parenting advice I have received was to take a cruise, it is perfect for kids. Make up your mind to cut down on the souvenirs for all of your family and friends when you reach the various ports, and a cruise will get you out of the house and take you to destinations that would be difficult to reach in any other way. You get to choose the length of time you want to be away. You get to choose from a variety of destination stops. You get to choose how active or inactive you feel like being. You also can book your cruise online. No travel agent necessary.

Now you need to remember that travel agents are in the business to know about the flights and hotels and sights and restaurants. They can be an incredible help with just basic information about the area. Most travel agents travel often. They usually know about the best deals available whether it is the best airfare or the best hotel rates. They can advise you if your vacation destination is a family friendly destination or probably more of a singles destination with singles activities available. If you don’t know exactly where you would like to go but you have a definite dollar amount that you want to spend, travel agents can suggest something that may just fit your budget and it may be some place that you would never have thought of.

If you have the flexibility to travel on the spur of the moment, airlines and hotels have some great last minute deals available. You never know when they are dealing with cancellations that could result in the perfect travel experience for you. The flight alone may be so inexpensive that you can afford a much more luxurious hotel or possibly take advantage of some particular sight-seeing adventure that you wouldn’t otherwise splurge on.

Even if your travel budget limits you to packing up the car and driving to your getaway, that in itself can be a vacation to remember. You could just fill up the tank and see how far it takes you, though I would not advise that during a holiday. You can stop along the way and buy some of the local wines or produce from the area. Stick to the hotel chains you recognize and that pride themselves on quality guest services if you have not made reservations for this trip. After traveling for hours in a car, you will definitely want to land in a place that has good beds and pillows and a place where you can get the rest you need to continue your trip.

In whatever manner is most appropriate for you, do take that vacation. Travel by boat or plane or automobile, but do yourself a favor — get out there and travel.

1. First consideration is finances (for most of us). Will it meet your budget guidelines? And if it won?t, should you wait a while until you can afford it or choose a different destination. If you really, really need a break from the daily routine, then find a different location, maybe a little closer to where you live or where the cost of the accommodations is more budget friendly. You can save up and go to that dreamland destination next year. And always plan to have with you enough money or the financial ability to properly handle any unexpected situations that may occur.

2. How will you be traveling? If you are driving, you just need to plan those gas stops and combine them with bathroom stops. I always like to take snack foods when I travel by car. Some grapes, a couple apples, a few bananas and some cheesy crackers will get me a long way before I think I have to stop for a meal. I also like books on cd.

If you are traveling by air or rail, you will get the best rates if you plan several months ahead. Each of those methods are really easier and faster than driving and good planning is what will make for a great trip.

3. Now, who will be looking after your house and your pets. If you have the right sitter in mind, you can almost start breathing easy once those plans are in place. Always have a back up plan for Fido and Fluffy ?just in case? the sitter runs into some kind problems. It would be a drag to have to cut your trip short to get back to your furry family members.

4. Accommodations can make or break even an otherwise well planned vacation. Be sure that the hotel where you will be staying doesn?t just happen to be resurfacing their pool or under some other kind of construction that will effect your stay there. There is not a ?good deal? good enough for your accommodations to not be comfortable and quiet when you need to relax and get a good night?s sleep. Also, make sure your hotel is located conveniently to those sights you are there to see as well as restaurants and shopping.

5. Packing is important. Here is the tip of a lifetime – PACK LIGHT. Take as few bags as possible. Take clothes that you can layer and mix and match and take two pair of comfortable shoes. Leave your good jewelry at home. Be sure you have your insurance cards, driver?s license, passport if needed and your medications.

6. Keep a check list and go over it frequently. Be sure you have everything covered several days prior to your departure. That way, you have some breathing room to handle the little last minute things that might present themselves.

7. Loosen up. Getting a break from your job and daily routine is reward enough, so don?t get so up tight in your planning that you need a vacation before your vacation. And while you are away, try at least one thing you?ve never tried before. It could be a new food, learning a new sport or just a new dance. Come home renewed with something new to add to your old world.

8. Working vacation? If you can work remotely, on the internet, you can potentially work from the road for smaller vacations and not lose any income. This affords you to take more frequent trips. Cheap laptops are great for travel, don’t have to worry if anything happens to them. If I will work for 2-3 hours most days, it’s like I was not “off work”, so I can travel 6-10 times a year without counting it as vacation time.

Most experienced travelers, at least the ones that are not independently wealthy who can afford to have their manservant travel with them, will always suggest that you pack as few bags as you think you possibly can, then divide those things in half and repack.

Choosing the right suitcase is of utmost importance. The bag must be made very well, but it doesn?t have to have that ever-so-chic designer label on it. It need not cost a fortune either. The bag is going to get banged up and beat up, so do not take that 200 year old steamer trunk your great, great, great grandparents used to come over from Ireland. It?s a little heavier than you need anyway, it probably doesn?t have wheels and you won?t be taking every belonging you own like they did — hopefully.

Everyone in the world seems to travel with a black bag(s). I used to think it was just a hoot that my mother would always crochet a bright red or orange pompom and attach to each of her bags when she would come for a visit. Turns out she knew exactly what she was doing. When those bags went round and round on the luggage conveyor, we all could spot hers immediately. We were all reasonably embarrassed too, but the lady had a good plan. So when you choose the piece(s) of luggage you are taking, make sure they stand out from the other hundreds that are going on the plane — or boat or train of whatever. Choose a color that will embarrass anyone under twenty. Hot pink might be good or my personal favorite, day-glow green. Just make sure you can recognize your bags easily.

What you put in that luggage is definitely important. Extremely comfortable shoes are a must. And take two pair of them so you can wear one pair one day and another pair the next. Your feet will thank you. You can pack one pair of shoes for those more formal occasions if you are planning any.

Those clothes you have chosen to take, are they comfortable enough to sleep in? That seems to be my only criteria as far as clothing. Take what you want, just make sure your travel wear is comfortable, make sure you have layers, make sure you carry colors that can be mixed and matched (blacks and tans go with most anything) and make sure you can wear those pants with several tops and vice versa.

Leave your most precious jewelry at home. The end. No more discussion. Take along the pieces that won?t make you appear to be a flashy, trendy tourist. Take those simple pieces that will go with almost anything you wear. If your bags get lost, that rare ruby pendant that Aunt Sadie got from the Maharaja of Menamoomoo will be tucked away at home in your safe deposit box.

So I think that should help out a bit. And when you arrive at that exotic location and find that there are no elevators and it is seventy-eight steps to your room and no bellman, you will be glad you gave some thought to these things. You?ll have me to thank that you only have ONE light bag, that is has some defining element to its appearance, and, of course, that it has wheels.