With spring in full swing and the weeks until summer break just around the corner, it’s time to start planning your summer vacation. Whether you have an unlimited budget or a tight budget, weeks on end to travel or just a long weekend, there are plenty of opportunities to take the break you deserve on summer vacation. Here are three easy steps to start your planning now.

Decide Where and When

First, look at how long of a vacation you plan to take and if you plan to drive or fly or utilize some other form of transportation. Then start brainstorming locations near and far and figure out what appeals most to you about certain locations. Decide if you want to visit multiple stops or just head to one spot and stay put for the duration of your vacation. Finally, decide if you want to travel right away in June when travel seems to be slightly lighter or whether you will brave the crowds and hit major attractions in the heat of summer in July and early August.

Book Lodging Now

There are so many different ways you can choose to rest each night on your vacation. If you are doing a long scenic road trip with multiple stops, consider staying at a particular chain of hotels and earn loyalty points for future trips. But if you are going to one destination, consider finding a rental house with your own bedrooms, kitchen and entertainment areas. Many people love visiting the ocean in the summer so consider visiting the East Coast and staying in a rental such as North Carolina beachfront rentals.

Plan Your Days                              

Once your trip is planned in basic form, it is time to start filling in the details of the trip before you leave. Research attractions along the way or at your destination and start thinking about how much you can realistically fit in on your vacation. Ask friends, family, colleagues or neighbors who have already visited the area you are heading to for recommendations of attractions, dining experiences or things to do along the way.

Make sure you start planning your summer vacation now by settling on where and when to take your vacation, booking your lodging and planning out your days of fun.  

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