Decide on a destination at least six months in advance to make sure you have time to look for the best travel prices. Some travel sites offer deals for reservations made well in advance, so you don't want to miss out on potential deals.
Visit online travel sites to compare prices for flights, rental cars, and hotels. The best deals now can typically be found online rather than by visiting a travel agent. If you have been referred to a good agent, however, schedule an appointment as soon as you make your destination decision so that she can be watching for the best deals for you.
Research the area that you will be visiting to make sure you know about all the best sites to see and restaurants to visit. Pick up a Fodor's Travel Guide to the area you're visiting, or check some books out at your local library. Travel agents can also be useful in recommending popular places to check out on your trip, and asking friends who have previously visited is always a good way to get the inside scoop.
Make a preliminary itinerary to give you a better idea of what modes of transportation you will need and what tickets or passes you may need to purchase in advance. For instance, if you are visiting multiple sites, you may discover that it is easier to rent a bike to get from place to place than to rent a car. If you know that you will need a particular reservation for a pass or transportation on a certain day and time, make the reservations in advance either through an agent or online, and keep hard copies of all reservations to take with you when you leave.
Budget out how much the trip is going to cost, including all possible excursions and expenses like rental fees and public transportation. Try to look at all costs without including coupons and discounts so that you will be prepared in case any extra fees are added to anything. If traveling to a country with a different currency than your own, budget how much cash you will need and exchange your money for that currency at a local bank or money exchange center. For safer money keeping, you may also want to consider purchasing traveler's checks instead of carrying too much cash.
Look up the weather report for the area you are visiting. This will give you an idea of the kinds of clothing to pack. However, as weather reports are not always accurate, make sure you have other weather-appropriate clothing on hand just in case.
Contact your local post office to have your mail stopped for the duration of your trip so that your mailbox isn't full of mail when you return. Also, get in touch with any newspaper services you have and ask them to hold all deliveries during your trip.
Inform all your credit card companies of your destination so they do not suspect your cards have been stolen and are being used in a suspicious area. Credit card companies will sometimes shut off credit cards if they are being used somewhere other than your typical area.
Make a list of everything you will need to pack so that you can figure out what things you already have and what you will need to purchase. Depending on the length of your trip, give yourself somewhere between a week and three days to assemble everything you plan on packing, and start putting everything into suitcases. Include passports and other travel documents when assembling what you are going to pack.
Remember to pack all toiletries and medications that you might not be able to purchase once you are at your destination. Also, find out where the nearest hospital to your destination is and what numbers you should call if there is an emergency to avoid safety becoming an issue on your dream vacation.
Find a pet sitter or a place for any pet to stay if you are not bringing them along. If your pet is part of a your dream vacation, make sure the hotel or place you are staying allows animals and see what amenities they can provide for your pet. Also, check airline and public transportation regulations for pet travel before you leave.
Decide on a plan of action for getting to the airport and how you will get to your destination once you land if you will be traveling by air. Remember to factor in all taxi, shuttle, and public transportation costs to and from the airport or rental car center so that you're not hit with these fees unexpectedly. If you are driving to your destination, print out all relevant maps and full directions a few days in advance to figure out the best route there.
