LAST MINUTE EQUALS LOUSY VACATION

So how far in advance should you plan a vacation? Clients often wonder when they should begin planning their trips and when is the best time to save on air. In this article I'll provide you with my expert opinion on when to start planning your vacations. Air is the most unpredictable aspect of my job (and my least favorite!). But, in general, I can tell you that the earlier you book your air the better. Schedules become available 11 months before your travel dates and typically those are the best rates you will see. As demand starts to increase on a flight so do the prices.

Then there are all the other components of your trip... hotels, excursions, ground transportation. If you are traveling during peak times - Spring Break, Summer, or Christmas week - you want to plan at least 6 months ahead of your travel dates. You will have the best availability and pricing. It's especially important if traveling as a family to Europe. Hotel rooms in Europe are very small. Some hotels offer larger suites that can accommodate a family but they have very few available. So if you prefer to have one room for your family, planning ahead is key.

If you plan on cruising, the more popular stateroom categories sell out first. You may be stuck with an inside room or the most expensive suites on the ship if you don't plan early. Planning a vacation last minute will result in paying higher prices, having less options, and you will probably need to settle on the destination and accommodations based on availability and cost. Vacations should be planned around your preferences and interests and not based on what's available. So for the best vacation experience don't wait to start planning!

Does it overwhelm you to think about planning your vacations? Let's connect! I would love to help you. Complete our Travel Planning Questionnaire to get started, then we'll schedule a complimentary consultation to review your preferences and options before we start designing your handcrafted itinerary.