How to plan a vacation

  Are you ready for a vacation? Is there somewhere you’d really like to journey to? Have you never planned a trip in your life? Well, this is how to make a great vacation.

  First of all, you’re going to need a budget and a destination. Don’t forget to look for coupons or groupons (coupons for groups) online about everything you’ll need for saving money on food, passes, tickets, etc.  

  Next, see which form of transportation will work best with your budget and your interests (plane, car, boat, etc.). Then check around your destination for places to stay, like a hotel, where you have lots of luxuries, or an Airbnb room. That’s most likely cheaper than a hotel room, but make sure what you pay for is up to your standards, as you’ll need a deposit for either place. Make sure you read reviews and look up pictures.

  After that, plan out where and what you’re going to eat, like Jack in the Box or Chick-Fil-A, unless your hotel has breakfast. So look around where you’re staying or what you’ll be near as you make your way to your destination.

  If you don’t enjoy eating out, then bringing snacks with you is the best solution: Cheez-Its, Doritos, or Pringles. Easy, light, on-the-go type snacks.

  Another important thing you’ll need to know is the weather, which you can look up on Google. Make sure that your transportation is safe for traveling, which you can find on Google Maps.

  Now here are some tips and tricks that’ll help you on your trip. If you decide to get souvenirs, buy souvenirs that you can only get at the place you’re visiting, like the butterbeer cups that you can only get at Universal Studios. If you can get it somewhere else, such as hats or candy that’s sold at grocery stores, it’ll be cheaper that way.

  If you dislike large crowds, then traveling on a holiday or a weekend is not a good idea. Avoiding holidays, weekends, and seasonal events will lower the amount of people there, and it will ensure less crowds. The best days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and the best month times are mid-January, mid-March, mid-September, and mid-November.

  To lower your spending, divide your budget into your main objectives: food, transportation, souvenirs, and anything else you’d like to buy, fast passes or pictures from the rides.

 If you’re planning a family trip and you don’t have a destination in mind, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Seaworld, and Legoland are very popular among both youth and elderly alike. Zoo’s, national parks, and beaches are favorites and can be filled with memories.

  If you’re going buy gift cards, get them at your local grocery store. That way you’ll already have them instead of wasting time buying it at the restaurant, gas station, etc.

  To sneak food inside places like Universal Studios, get a medium sized bag or small backpack, and hide snacks inside (mini versions of chips or cookie packs, candy, etc.). Don’t bring large tupperware or else the workers might see it. Bring lots of thin pieces of sloppy looking paper, and place it over the snacks.

  Along with making new memories, taking vacations help you relieve stress, relax, and see a different part of the world. So start planning yours and have fun.