The Itsy-bitsy Vacation Planning Guide

This time of year I'm inundated with people asking forof people that think they can drive from New York to
my vacation planning advice - I own a regionalthe Maine Wilderness in one day and still have time to
vacation site and offer free consultation. The problemhike a mountain. Which is a nice lead in to... WHAT DO
is information overload. Vacation web sites contain soYOU LIKE TO SEE AND DO? Don't try to see and do
much information that people get overwhelmed witheverything, or the vacation will just be one big blur. Be
the confusing number of choices and decisions - it canrealistic on just how many attractions you can enjoy
be disheartening. I've developed a few questions I getand not be exhausted at the end of the day. So write
people to think about and answer that really gets themout the things you like to do and see. Do you like
realistic about vacation planning for their destinationsexcitement and plenty to do at night or enjoy a quiet
and accommodations. So here are the questions andvillage atmosphere? Are you a history and museum
advice I give to people touring my specialty region -buff, or attracted more to the scenic beauty of an
New England - but I know are relevant to vacationarea? Do you like to hike in the mountains, or doze on
planning almost anywhere. HOW MANY DAYS DOa beach? Once you've chosen a few themes they'll
YOU HAVE FOR YOUR VACATION? If you're flyinghelp make your vacation planning easier by zeroing in
in to a central airport allow the first day to pick up youron a realistic area to cover during your stay, depending
car and drive to your destination. Take time to settleon whether you'll be housed in one spot or touring
into your accommodation, get orientated and scout outaround. WHAT DO YOU WANT IN
for a relaxing dinner location. Similarly on the last day,ACCOMMODATION? Are you looking to lodge at a
you should allocate for driving back to the airport,Four-Star resort and spa or a campground near a
dropping off your car and getting through security tolake? The one thing these two extremes have in
catch your flight. So if you're planning on sevencommon is reservations. You can't expect to turn up in
vacation days in the area - now you're down to fivethe height of summer or a popular seasonal time and
for touring and sightseeing. DO YOU PREFER TOhope to find a room. Do some quick research to find
TOUR OR STAY IN ONE PLACE? This is anout what's available in the region. For example the
important question for you to answer as touringNew England region is famous for its Country Inns and
requires more vacation planning but also offers theBed and Breakfasts - a type of accommodation that
chance to see more of a region's diversity. If yousuits couples and singles, but not necessarily families
prefer to be based at one location then it makes thewith young children. I always urge visitors to book their
lodging choice easier. But there may be no one placeaccommodation early in their vacation planning - even
centrally located for destinations and attractions, sobefore their flights. I hope this brief article will help you
you need to ensure where you stay is close for all thezero in on that trip of your dreams and avoid an
things you want to see and do. Check with a regionalexpensive mistake you live to regret.
map and calculate distances. I can't tell you the number