When planning a vacay there are a series of steps to consider that can make your travel plans come together perfectly...or at least as close to perfect as you can get. The typical traveler usually goes with the flow and lets their vacation plans haphazardly fall in place how it may. Nothing wrong with that, but have you ever been on a trip and end up wishing you had planned it better or had been more prepared? We know we have. The savvy traveler knows that sometimes the easiest way to get somewhere is just pulling out the map.

Well, here’s a little ‘road map’ we’ve put together that can lead you to the ultimate destination – a great vacation. Our list consists of rules that are usually unwritten, and sometimes happen naturally, but should be considered more closely if you want your vacation planning to be effortless and hassle-free.

So, keep these steps in mind the next time a travel site emails you a deal that you think you can’t refuse. (Especially if it’s January and you’re looking out your window at a foot of snow when palm trees and sand pop up on the screen.) As tempting as those deals are, the goal is to take a trip that fits your budget. Everyone isn’t looking for a spa vacation to Fiji, right?!

Tips for Planning the Perfect Trip

1. Location, Location, Location - List several places you want to visit. When traveling on a budget sometimes the location you want to visit is not the most affordable. Keep your options open. Choose several “must-see” locations.
2. Dates - Choose at least two times in the upcoming year that it would be good for you to travel. Once again your location, vacation time, and finances might not jive. So it’s good to have some optional travel dates.
   
   Paid Time Off. Make sure you have enough time at work to vacation. What’s the purpose in taking vacation if you’re not getting paid for it? Period.
3. Get a Passport - It’s impossible to travel without a passport. Unless everything you want to do is stateside, but how boring is that? For more passport information visit the Kim’s article on Passports and Visas.
   
   Also, if you already have a passport, make sure you remember its expiration date. Don’t assume your passport will last forever.
4. Savings - Set up a vacation fund. $50 a paycheck goes a long way. The more disposable income on a trip the better.
5. Search Search Search - Look at the cities and countries you want to visit, and compare them at the different times of the year you can travel. Remember traveling off-season is often an affordable option. It’s cool. The lines are shorter, but certain attractions may not be open.
   
   When looking at travel deals, don’t forget to read the fine fine print. Is there anything with a star, bullet, number, or little cross beside it? There is always a catch.... the top one being that everyone isn’t traveling from NYC, CHI, or MIA, which are usually the departure cities for the prices advertised. Most importantly, remember to search often, travel prices fluctuate a lot.
6. Calculate Flight Time - When choosing one of those special internet deals, remember to calculate flight time. You can lose a lot of time in travel to and from the country. For example, a 7 night Flight & Hotel trip to Sydney, Australia for $1300 is a HOT price.
   
   However, from certain locations the flight is 22 hours ONE-WAY. That’s two nights flying and at least one night in jet lag, which leaves 4 nights to have fun. Not hot.
7. Check the Weather - Summertime in the U.S. is wintertime somewhere else. Make sure you are aware of the seasonal differences and things such as hurricane/rainy seasons.
8. Add-Ons - Sometimes your travel agency will offer day trips or excursions (on cruises) for an additional fee. Beware, these trips can be more expensive when you buy them in advance versus waiting until you actually arrive at your destination.
9. Accommodations - Thoroughly check out the hotels in advance. Be Choosy. A 3-star hotel overseas may not be on the same standards as a 3-star U.S. hotel. Look at all the available amenities including restaurants, free breakfast (important to the budget), and airport transportation.
   
   You'll want to make sure your hotel is centrally located and easily accessible to local attractions and the airport or train station.
10. Research the Area - Do a little pre-trip leg work and see what’s happening in the area during your vacation, you might catch a good festival. Guidebooks are often very helpful. The detailed maps and area suggestions are your friend! These saved us when we went to Venice. There are plenty to choose from: Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, Let’s Go...etc.
11. Make a Schedule...but leave room for spontaneity. When researching the area you should find some “must-see” attractions, museums, nature trails, excursions, or shopping. Making a tentative schedule of the must-see places will help organize the trip a bit. Consider starting a travel journal to document your travels and make note of any inspirations you may receive while on vacation.
12. Packing - Watch your luggage weight and keep in mind that you may shop while you’re there and will need space to bring stuff back. Plus, international airlines have different rules on luggage weight and those rules vary by destination. One Bag is an excellent site that can help you with all your packing issues.
    
    If you want to ‘reach out and touch’ those back at home, don’t forget the international calling cards. Keyword: International. It's easy to make the mistake of buying a domestic calling card that could make international calls and 200 domestic minutes, but equals 27 international minutes. So, check into rates, minutes, and especially country access codes before you leave. Toll-free numbers vary from country to country.
13. Take CASH...in plenty of small bills. This comes in handy when using transportation or shopping. Also, check exchange rates. The U.S. Dollar is very very weak right now, especially against the Euro. But there are still a few places where you can get some bang for your buck. Our article, The Almighty Dollar, highlights some of those locations.
14. Make a Souvenir List - We love our family and friends, and want to bring back a piece of our vacation for them. But just like grocery shopping without a list, you can over purchase when shopping for souvenirs if you don’t make a list. Plus, who wants to spend all their vacation money buying gifts for other people? Not me.
15. ENJOY your vacation - After all the prepping and planning, the only way you can truly have a perfect trip is to make the most of your experience. But always remember, a prepared traveler is a happy traveler.

Happy travels ladies!

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Chrishette Carter resides in Atlanta, and during the day works in the commercial real estate finance industry. Her first international trip was to Russia when she was 13 years old, and she's been eager to explore the world ever since.During her college study abroad program based in London, Chrishette had the opportunity to visit most of Western Europe, but now has South America, Africa, and Asia on her travel list.

Chrishette is the co-editor of the travel blog, Two JetSet Divas.The goal of the blog is to provide tips and inspiration to travelers, especially women, and demonstrate how attainable international travel can be for anyone.

Ebonee Shaw is an event planner and non-profit fundraiser from St. Louis, who has a passion for travel. She has conquered 48 of the 50 United States (much of that done on family vacation), Canada, Mexico, the Western Caribbean, Italy and Central America. It is her goal to see the world, before her son gets to the age where he wants to tag along...and she has to pay for it!

Ebonee is the co-editor of the travel blog, Two JetSet Divas. The blog was created to inspire travel for those on a budget. After all, it is possible to travel like a Rock Star and Pay Like a Peasant.