10 Tips to Make Your Dream Vacation Come True in 2010

About that Sunshine

Extracted from:
10 Tips to Make Your Dream Vacation Come True in 2010
by Barbara Messing, VP, Travel-Ticker.com

What is your dream vacation? What is your inspiration? One of my favorite vacations ever was to Moorea in Tahiti, one of the most romantic and relaxing places in the world with an incredible island culture, world-class diving and snorkeling, and pristine natural beauty. Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of people say that they feel like they can’t afford their dream vacation this year. With everyone’s busy lives and the uncertain economy, it’s understandable that planning a vacation may seem too daunting a task. However, you may be surprised to know that it's an unprecedented time for finding travel deals. Dream destinations are more accessible now than ever before.

Here at Travel Ticker®, we recently conducted a Dream Vacations Survey to get a better idea of how people were feeling about travel. One message came through loud and clear: people have a deep desire to take a vacation, and they’re looking for an opportunity that is impossible to turn down. In fact, 86% of respondents were ready to travel the same amount or more in 2010. Of the folks traveling more, 51% thought they would book a trip mostly based on the right kind of deal.

For travel-seekers who want to take that dream vacation, here are my 10 tips on how to take advantage of this deal-friendly travel environment:

1. Let the deal be the inspiration. This is the best tip I can provide. The trick is to be flexible with your travel plans to get the most mileage from your dollar. You can get a similar experience in so many different ways. Fortunately, many destinations are fighting over business right now, and you never know who’s going to come out with the next doorbuster deal to catch your attention. Plus, being spontaneous about your travel destination can be half the fun of the vacation.

2. Get a head start on your paperwork and be prepared. First things first. Even if you don’t have a specific trip in mind, get your passport. Processing times (without extra rush fees) can take a month or more and a new travel deal can be here and gone in as quick as 24 hours. Some travel deals are too good to pass up and the key is to act fast.

3. Set a realistic monetary goal for your vacation before you start looking. You are more likely to take that dream vacation if you set aside your funds ahead of time. Alternatively, you could also set a clear target price range for your trip instead. Once that goal is set, you’ll feel more comfortable in locating and purchasing your vacation quickly.

4. Know your travel style, and stick to it. Would you rather lie on the beach all day or see as many sights as you can? It's best to identify the type of vacation you want up front. There are many options available, so it can be hard to figure out what suits you best. Our survey results may help you understand what your style is.

Beach destinations are at the top of our respondents’ wish lists. I am seeing resorts bend over backwards to attract tourists to their beaches, so this year you can soak up the sun in any number of places.

Coming in second on our survey were big city vacations, which are also on sale all over the world.

Third on our list were outdoor adventures. Some people think this is for adrenaline junkies alone, but thrill seeking doesn’t always require a big physical commitment or giving up luxury.

A good time doesn’t require huge travel time. Now that you have the type of vacation and price range that you’re comfortable with, how much time can you dedicate to your trip this year? Don’t be discouraged if you can’t escape for long periods of time. Big experiences don’t always require big travel. You’ll be surprised by the amount of diversity within single-digit flight hours.

About that Sunshine: Yes, this is the Sunshine State but don't overdo it unless you own stock in a skin-cancer treatment facility!

Don't be fooled by the temperature. Thanks to the sea breezes that pump in ocean-cooled air from both coasts, Florida gets no hotter in summer than the midwest U.S. But we are much closer to the equator than the rest of the U.S. and that means the sun is more directly overhead, with less atmosphere to pass through. The problem is ultraviolet light, which burns the skin and which is much more intense here than elsewhere in the continental U.S.

The time-to-burn, for a pale Caucasian, in Florida in the summer is—we are not kidding—a little over ten minutes. And darker-skinned people who have no prior exposure to the intense ultraviolet in Florida will burn too.

So put on sunscreen before venturing outside, and reapply as needed if you go into the water, if you perspire a lot, or after the suggested time on the bottle expires.

Sunglasses that cut out most UV-A and UV-B rays are also a good idea. We would rather that you spent your money enjoying our travel destinations than on having cataracts removed.

A word about automobiles: The temperature inside a parked car with windows rolled up can easily exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit / 66 degrees Celsius. And, because of the afternoon rainstorms, few people leave the windows down. So do not leave your pet in the car, even with the windows cracked. And it is a felony to so much as walk away from a car with an infant in it.

So, enjoy the sunshine today but do not regret it tomorrow!