The first thing to determine when trying to decide on the best place to go for vacation is your budget. It doesn't make sense to research the sailing dates for an extravagant 15-day cruise to Costa Rica if you only have enough money to take a 3-day cruise to Mexico. It's more fun and memorable to spend within your means than trying to stretch your funds so thin that you only have money to stay in hotels you would never normally step foot in and not being able to go sightseeing as you wish you could. Be realistic and account for daily spending on food, transportation, lodging and sightseeing when setting your budget.
If you want to go snow skiing it makes sense to plan your vacation for the winter months. If you are longing for the beach but it's cold and rainy on the East coast, consider heading West to the beaches of Southern California where sunny and mild days are present year-round. Also consider that some vacation spots will be more crowded at certain times of the year. If you can manage to get away to Disneyland in the early fall or late winter when schools are still in session, you can avoid the throngs of families with young children who generally travel during other times of the year.
Consider where you've vacationed in the past and what you liked and didn't like about those destinations and experiences. If you took a hiking vacation through the Grand Canyon and had the time of your life, maybe another hiking vacation to a different locale would be fun. Some people have favorite spots they like to travel to repeatedly, while others like to try new places each time. Be careful if you decide to return to a favorite spot where some of your best vacation memories were made--you don't want to set your expectations so high that if it doesn't turn out like the last time you'll be heartbroken. Being open to new experiences in familiar locations is the best way to travel to repeat destinations.
Does your family enjoy telling stories around a campfire and going horseback riding? Maybe a vacation at a dude ranch would be fun. According to Bestfamilyvacations.com, it's important to get everyone in your family involved in the planning. If you love nothing more than lying on the beach, but your spouse wants to see historical monuments and your teenage daughter wants to shop 'til she drops, try to pick a location where you can all enjoy the things you like to do.
