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You want to finally escape your daily routine and spend some time somewhere on a beautiful corner of the globe. Before you can experience the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Niagara Falls or piazzas in Rom an important to-do list stands between you and your trip. Because traveling or sometimes even planning a trip can be more of a stress the following simple steps will help you make your trip a memorable one.

Set a budget. It’s important to establish a budget as early as possible – even before you know your destination, travel dates or itinerary. It helps you to plan and enjoy the trip within your limits.Your task is to research the costs in your destination at the style of travel you want so you can avoid any disappointment that could arise as a result thereof. Some destinations are generally cheaper than others, but there are ways to save everywhere: travel in the off-season or pick budget accommodations. Always estimate a little more than what you might need.

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Pick a destination. Now that you know how much you can spend, where do you want to go? You have the choice of so many beautiful places all over the world to go to. Depending on your budget some might already fall away. Pick a particular site that’s on your must-see travel list, and plan your vacation around that. Picking a destination is immensly important as it gives you a definite goal. Not only will your trip become more concrete for you and easier to commit to, but it will make planning easier as well.

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Get your documents in order. Depending on your chosen destination you need some important documents. If you don’t have a passport, it will take four to six weeks from the time of application for you to receive one. So make sure to take care of this well before your trip. You already have a passport? Check its expiration date. For some countries you must have valid visas in addition to passports. Check what type of visa do you need and apply for one as early as possible because obtaining one is a complicated process and can take weeks even after you have been approved.

Consider travel insurance. There are several kinds of travel insurance, it’s much more than just medical protection. It covers you when your camera breaks, your flight is cancelled or if something is stolen. Also check your medical insurance coverage to see if you’re covered overseas. If not, you may want to purchase medical insurance to cover certain situations. It’s always the best to be prepared for the worst.

Book your flight. Because your flight will probably be the most expensive part of your trip, you’ll want to book it before anything else. This will allow you to be more flexible with your dates, which is a great way to save money on your flight. So make sure to book your flight about a few months in advance.

Create a rough itinerary. Once you have chosen your destination research sites and places you really want to explore and then figure out which ones you have the time and the budget to get to.

Book your accommodations. Once you planed a itinerary fill on some places to sleep. As is the case with pretty much everything you book for your trip, the earlier you make arrangements, the better – especially during high season. Do a bit of research and keep your eyes open for tiny bed and breakfasts, hostels or even couchsurfing. So you can save more money for other important things on your trip. It’s always better to book your stay if possible so you don’t have to worry about this at night after an exciting and exhausting day.

Pack light and right. Pack only the essential things and start thinking about what you’ll need to bring at least a week before you leave. Depending on your chosen destination, carry clothes that are comfortable and right for the season and especially for the specified weather there.

Have realistic expactations and enjoy your trip. Go on your trip and have fun! Head to the airport, board your plane and enjoy the fruits of your labor. By considering this simple steps you can better organize and prepare for your trip. So you can spend less time worrying about your travel arrangements and more time staring at pictures of castles and amazing landscapes. Enjoy the holiday by managing what you can with the time you have. Embrace each moment, whether good or bad.

 Author:Maike Schüssele