| This time of year I'm inundated with people asking for | | | | of people that think they can drive from New York to |
| my vacation planning advice - I own a regional | | | | the Maine Wilderness in one day and still have time to |
| vacation site and offer free consultation. The problem | | | | hike a mountain. Which is a nice lead in to... WHAT DO |
| is information overload. Vacation web sites contain so | | | | YOU LIKE TO SEE AND DO? Don't try to see and do |
| much information that people get overwhelmed with | | | | everything, or the vacation will just be one big blur. Be |
| the confusing number of choices and decisions - it can | | | | realistic on just how many attractions you can enjoy |
| be disheartening. I've developed a few questions I get | | | | and not be exhausted at the end of the day. So write |
| people to think about and answer that really gets them | | | | out the things you like to do and see. Do you like |
| realistic about vacation planning for their destinations | | | | excitement and plenty to do at night or enjoy a quiet |
| and accommodations. So here are the questions and | | | | village 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 vacation | | | | area? Do you like to hike in the mountains, or doze on |
| planning almost anywhere. HOW MANY DAYS DO | | | | a beach? Once you've chosen a few themes they'll |
| YOU HAVE FOR YOUR VACATION? If you're flying | | | | help make your vacation planning easier by zeroing in |
| in to a central airport allow the first day to pick up your | | | | on a realistic area to cover during your stay, depending |
| car and drive to your destination. Take time to settle | | | | on whether you'll be housed in one spot or touring |
| into your accommodation, get orientated and scout out | | | | around. 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 to | | | | lake? The one thing these two extremes have in |
| catch your flight. So if you're planning on seven | | | | common is reservations. You can't expect to turn up in |
| vacation days in the area - now you're down to five | | | | the height of summer or a popular seasonal time and |
| for touring and sightseeing. DO YOU PREFER TO | | | | hope to find a room. Do some quick research to find |
| TOUR OR STAY IN ONE PLACE? This is an | | | | out what's available in the region. For example the |
| important question for you to answer as touring | | | | New England region is famous for its Country Inns and |
| requires more vacation planning but also offers the | | | | Bed and Breakfasts - a type of accommodation that |
| chance to see more of a region's diversity. If you | | | | suits couples and singles, but not necessarily families |
| prefer to be based at one location then it makes the | | | | with young children. I always urge visitors to book their |
| lodging choice easier. But there may be no one place | | | | accommodation early in their vacation planning - even |
| centrally located for destinations and attractions, so | | | | before their flights. I hope this brief article will help you |
| you need to ensure where you stay is close for all the | | | | zero in on that trip of your dreams and avoid an |
| things you want to see and do. Check with a regional | | | | expensive mistake you live to regret. |
| map and calculate distances. I can't tell you the number | | | | |