{"id":803,"date":"2017-05-31T13:32:39","date_gmt":"2017-05-31T13:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myvacationpants.com\/?p=803"},"modified":"2017-05-31T13:32:39","modified_gmt":"2017-05-31T13:32:39","slug":"the-ultimate-vacation-planning-guide-my-vacation-shorts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/myvacationpants.com\/index.php\/2017\/05\/31\/the-ultimate-vacation-planning-guide-my-vacation-shorts\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Vacation Planning Guide – My Vacation Shorts"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As we are about to embark on one of the biggest family vacations of our lives, I have been reflecting on vacation planning practices that we do before we go on a trip. \u00a0We are about to travel to Europe for a month, which obviously requires some major planning, and I am trying to find a balance between getting things done in my day-to-day life and\u00a0getting ready\u00a0for my upcoming trip. \u00a0It’s tough, but I have some tried and true methods that make sure the planning goes, well…according to plan. \u00a0Here are a few of them, so you too can have peace of mind before you head out on your epic vacation adventure.<\/p>\n

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Google Map It<\/h2>\n

My husband is our mapper. \u00a0Even before we buy plane tickets he’s on the computer plotting out our destinations using Google Maps<\/a>. \u00a0He will click on interesting looking locations and scenery around where we are going and make the most of our traveling times. \u00a0He will try different routes and change them if there is something really cool, not too far out of the way. \u00a0You can than save the itinerary to your phone or just make sure you have the addresses of the places you are going so you can map it on the road.<\/p>\n

Book Your Lodging<\/h2>\n

After you have mapped out where you are traveling to, you need to figure out where you are going to stay at the places you are visiting. \u00a0Gone are\u00a0the days that you can drive up to a hotel and get a good rate. \u00a0You have to plan that stuff ahead now. \u00a0I like to use Tripadvisor<\/a> to read hotel reviews and book hotels. \u00a0If I really want to find a killer deal, I book it blind with Hotwire<\/a>. \u00a0Click on the highlighted links to get my tips on using these websites. \u00a0You don’t always have to pay ahead of time, but you should still secure that reservation. \u00a0If you are camping in the United States, I recommend reserving ahead of time on ReserveAmerica.com<\/a>. \u00a0You do have to pay a small processing fee for booking ahead of time, but it is worth it to not have to worry about arriving at a full\u00a0campsite. \u00a0There is also the vacation rental route as well, but often times if you are just staying for a night or two they charge a cleaning fee and large deposit. \u00a0So make sure it is worth it. \u00a0Of course, if you have family or friends where your traveling to you can arrange to stay with them. \u00a0We like to have our own space, but we have definitely stayed with family and friends when we are in a real pinch. \u00a0Just make sure you tell them ahead of time, so they have time to clean their house. \u00a0\ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

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Plan your hotels in advance like we did for this one in Shreveport, Louisiana.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Plan Your Activities<\/h2>\n

I have already talked about on previous posts how you should plan one big activity a day at the very most. \u00a0You won’t be able to relax if you have a jammed pack schedule. \u00a0For example, we are traveling to Italy this summer and there is so much to see and do, but we are only there for a couple weeks, so we booked some things in advance, but not more than one big thing a day, like the Coliseum or the leaning tower of Pisa. \u00a0Some things you have to reserve ahead of time, while other things you can just wait and see what happens. \u00a0I always make a board for my trip on Pinterest<\/a> so I can\u00a0 look at it while we are on the trip and see what we have time to do. \u00a0Another really cool feature of Tripadvisor<\/a> is the save feature. \u00a0If you download the app and make an account you can download destination guides and save places you want to go.\"\"<\/p>\n

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Plan Your Eats<\/h2>\n

Eating is just a big part of my life. \u00a0I think it is a great way to experience the place you are visiting. \u00a0I love to look up what regions are famous for what kind of food. \u00a0When we visited 7 different states in one trip on the East Coast in the United States, I researched what type of food we should get in each region, and let’s just say the food on that trip did NOT disappoint. \u00a0We had barbecue in North Carolina, Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches in Philly, fresh Crab in Maryland, and pretty much the best bakery delights we have ever had in West Virginia. \u00a0After I find out what type of cuisine is famous in each area, I start using Tripadvisor and Pinterest again to save what restaurants I might want to hit up in the cities we are visiting. \u00a0We never have time to go to all of them, but it is definitely fun to try. \u00a0Also, don’t underestimate the power of the fridge and microwave in a hotel room. \u00a0Sometimes grocery stores in different\u00a0destinations have new, interesting tastes and local brands not available in your home town.<\/p>\n

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Philly Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. Yum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Plan Your Trip Budget<\/h2>\n

I know the last thing you want to do is be on a budget when you are on vacation, but think of it this way: \u00a0If you don’t go crazy, you can afford to take more vacations. \u00a0I always estimate how much the trip is going to cost by figuring out these categories.<\/p>\n