Summer Vacation Planning: Book Now!

Although the springtime weather is just warming up, many residents find it’s time to start looking ahead to summer vacations. Whether it’s a sandy beach or faraway land, vacationers are dreaming big and collecting travel brochures, all with the perfect getaway in mind.

But before you whip out the credit card and reserve your plane tickets, consider the following summer vacation planning tips from Alex Kutin, local owner of Travel Leaders Indy:

Go where the deals are. If you do your homework, you’ll find that certain destinations top the list when it comes to bargain vacations. For instance, cruises are regularly a good deal, especially Alaskan cruises, according to Kutin. “Mexico is always a good value too, particularly Cancun,” added Kutin. If a European destination is your heart’s desire, Italy is on the pricey side right now, but London, Paris and most German destinations are current bargains.

Hit the beach. Although Hoosiers regularly trek to Florida for some sun, Fort Myers and Destin are particularly popular this year. On the West Coast, San Diego is a prime attraction, with lower humidity and cooler breezes creating pleasant and tolerable days during in the midst of intense summer heat.

Define your vacation needs. “Many people don’t take the time to identify what they really are looking for,” said Kutin. He suggests that vacationers decide how active they want to be on their break and whether they are looking for offerings of a lively night life, quiet adult surroundings, or family-oriented activities. Make sure that your destination of choice offers the amenities you’re looking for.

Be cautious. With so many online travel sites available, it seems that planning your vacation is easily at your fingertips. But heed the advice of Kutin, who points out the dangers of doing all your vacation planning online. “Many people do hours of research themselves on the internet, but they often don’t know about the fine print or small details,” explained Kutin. Those small details can mean the difference between a successful vacation and a miserable waste of money. Kutin recalled one example of a woman who had planned a cruise solely online. She flew down to Florida and was promptly denied boarding. “She had failed to bring the proper documents, only because she hadn’t fully understood the instructions online,” he said.
If traveling abroad, you can make sure your destination is a safe one by visiting www.travel.state.gov, where you can track all international travel warnings or advisories.

Book now. Because of the current economy, consumers have generally cut down on travel. This has directly affected the travel industry, and many resorts, airlines and hotels have trimmed fees accordingly. What does this mean to those planning to travel? “Two words: book now,” said Kutin. “Even if you’re planning to travel in the fall, the earlier you can lock in these current low prices, the better. I’d expect to see prices creep back up as the economy gets better.”

Get help. If you’re planning a fairly simple trip, doing everything yourself makes sense. But if you’re going somewhere you’ve never gone before, or you’re dealing with international boundaries or complicated schedules, getting the help of a travel agent might be the best choice. “Agents can match the deals that you find on the internet,” said Kutin. “Above that, we make sure that you’re going to reputable places, that the amenities you’re looking for are indeed offered at the destination of your choice, and we can track deals or special offers right up until your vacation date, before you’ve invested 100 percent of your money.”

The bottom line? Do your research, get help if you need it, and take the time to define your personal travel expectations and needs before you book your reservations.