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