Planning Your Vacation Online

Most of the time, I'm a DIY traveler. Let me share some of my tips on planning a vacation online.

The first thing to do is to read up on the destination. This is of course assuming that you've already decided where to go. If you haven't and are still weighing your options, travel sites are very informative.

Publishers of travel guides have sites where you get most of the data in their books. The more prominent ones are Lonely Planet, Frommers and Fodor's. Official websites of the destination are also must-sites to view. Some examples are Singapore, Hong Kong, Maldives, Dublin, San Francisco, etc. When you google the destination, remember to include official website or visitors and convention bureau in your search phrase. It is very important that you get your information from a trusted source, more so if you're booking online. The good thing about both kinds of sites is that they are constantly updated.

Important questions that should be answered during your review of these sites are visa requirements, best times to go, must-see attractions.

Once you've done that, set the dates of your travel. You'd like to maximize time spent in the destination. Allot enough time to sightsee, shop and relax. After all, isn't relaxation the reason why we travel?

Choose a flight. These travel dates may still change once you've checked the airline websites for fares and availability. Remember to pay close attention to the days the airline flies to the destination and the hours of departure. Cebu Pacific, for instance, flies to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur at 8 PM daily, arriving at these destinations midnight. Their return flights are likewise set at 1 AM or similar. On the other hand, PAL has more flight choices during daytime. This means that you still have time for some activities other than sleep when you arrive at your destination. Check out other airlines' websites too for more options: Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, KLM, Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, Tiger Airways, Jetstar, Air Asia, etc.

The next thing to do is to choose where you're staying. The travel websites that I previously mentioned rate accomodations and give you options from budget to high-end. One such site is Haystack. Factors that you also need to consider when you make your selection is accessibility, cost, security and breakfast. I suggest checking the hotels' official websites too. Examples include Shangri-la, Marriott, Intercontinental, etc. Check your preferred hotel's availability and see if it matches your preferred flights.

Add up. To find out the approximate cost of your trip, it is wise to know what's included. Fares that are quoted in the websites often do not have tax included yet. The same is true for hotels. Factor in the cost of meals too and other expenses. Be ready for surcharges, etc. Use xe.com to convert currency.

Of course, planning a trip entirely on your own is possible. But consider also using a travel agent. Compare where you can have more value for your money. Packages booked through travel agents often already include breakfast and airport shuttles. Occasionally, tours are included too. They get better deals sometimes because they buy in bulk. Some Manila-based travel agents with websites are Rakso Travel, Bridges Travel, Scorpio Travel and Tours, etc.

If you want to book tours before getting to your destination, consider Viator. They service most countries. Add the cost of your preferred tours to the budget.

When you've done all that, you're ready to book. How you pay for your transactions is another thing you need to decide. Find out if it's cheaper to pay in cash or by credit card. It would be wise to learn your card's policy on foreign currency transactions.

Then all you need to do it wait for your journey. Meanwhile, you may want to do other things online like brushing up on photography skills and learning to look good.

When you're about to go, remember to pack well.

Enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Proper planning is key to a stress-free vacation.

This post is part of the group writing project organized by Monika of The Writer's Manifesto on tutorials.

travel, vacation, airlines, hotel, group writing project, the writer's manifesto

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