Half of the fun of taking a vacation comes in the planning of it. Lean into this planning process by taking advantage of the official National Plan for Vacation Day on January 25. This day is hosted every year by the U.S. Travel Association, giving you the perfect excuse to begin planning that perfect vacation. What better reason to sit down and begin brainstorming, researching, and planning a fun vacation than a special day dedicated to this task?

Here are a few things to consider as you sit down and begin planning your next getaway.

Do Some Research

National Plan for Vacation Day is a great time to dive into researching potential destinations, dates, and more. Start with making a list of potential locations for your next journey. Keeping a master list of destinations to use as a reference is always a good idea.

You can also brainstorm potential travel dates and compare those possibilities to your destinations to find good fits. For instance, you do not want to have your heart set on a particular destination for lying on the beach only to find out that your travel dates fall during the rainy season. Try looking into suggestions from trusted travel bloggers and social media influencers. You can also ask around your social circle for personal recommendations. Getting potential dates circled on your calendar and requesting the time off far in advance will make it more likely that the trip happens.

Learn About Change and Cancellation Policies

While you are doing the research for your upcoming trip, it is also important that you acquaint yourself with the change and cancellation policies of any airlines, hotels, or travel sites that you plan to use. This also applies to any ground transportation, lodging, and car rentals.

Understanding these policies will go a long way toward ensuring that you are not left with a trip that you cannot use because of unforeseen circumstances. Be sure to read all of the fine print, particularly when booking a deal that seems too good to be true. If there is anything that the pandemic has taught us it’s that you should always take the time to peruse the fine print before hitting that purchase button.

Be Flexible

While proper research and planning will undoubtedly lead to the best results, it is also important to be willing to be flexible with your travel dates and plans. A willingness to remain flexible will ensure that you find the best prices. Being flexible also means arming yourself with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions quickly, as sometimes the best deals come up at the last minute. Savvy travelers have the ability to pivot their plans.

You should also leave room for spontaneity when you arrive at your destination. While having a basic framework for your itinerary is always recommended, you also want to allow for wiggle room if plans or desires change on a whim. Plans that are too rigid will take the fun out of any trip.

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Watch Out for Deals

Unless you have an unlimited travel budget — and would that be nice? — there is a good chance that you will need to score some deals on cheap flights or accommodations along the way to make all of your adventures come to fruition. There are a number of ways that you can keep an eye on potential deals for your planned trips. Signing up for travel newsletters or setting alerts with your favorite travel vendors are just a few ways that you can ensure that you do not miss out on fleeting deals. You can also set up alerts on Google Travel to find the best prices.

Do you have any tips for planning a vacation? Tell us about them in the comments below!