10 Tips For Planning Your European Trip
By Dr. Drew Henry, Mon Dec 26th

Europe is the most popular destination for tourists. There areseveral important things to keep in mind before calling yourtravel agent and booking your next vacation:

1. Your Budget: Set your budget. This includes transportationcost and souvenir/s. If your budget is smaller, you should visitEastern Europe, looking for packaged tours, or, if you'reflexible, book a "last-minute" trip, which can often save you30% or more. Check out the current exchange rate between yourcurrency and that of the country you'll be visiting, to have abetter idea of what your vacation is going to actually cost you.Whenever possible, travel during an off-peak season to save evenmore.

2. Time of year: You may not want to spend many days indoors,because the weather can be cold and rainy. You may miss awonderful trip just because you have not checked with yourtravel agent or weather forecast first. This is what I recommendyou if you're not sure of weather patterns, check with yourtravel agent who can advise you on rainy seasons or otherweather-related issues for traveling to a specific spot.

3. Political Climate: While most countries that rely on tourismmake every effort to ensure the safety of tourists, these daysit's always a good idea to keep up on the current politicalclimate of the country you're planning to visit, especially ifthere have been problems in the past.

4. Your waking time: If you usually wake up late in the morning,then a guided tour is probably not for you. Most guided toursstart early in the morning, and you're on the go until evening.You may visit several cities in a country or countries within aspecified amount of time, and you're required to stay with thegroup.

However, if you don't like traveling alone, you enjoy thecompanionship of others and getting to see as much as possiblein the time you've got, a guided tour or cruise may be just thething for you.

5. Your dream and personal desire: This vacation is somethingspecial and you save the whole year for. So if you have alwayswanted to visit somewhere or do something special -- why wait?Include it in your next vacation plans.

6. Plan your day: Take a little time to think about what youlike doing before planning your trip. Do you prefer the water,or the mountains? Lying on the beach, or rock-climbing?Adrenaline rushes or visiting an art museum?

Once you know what you want to do, figure out what you'll havetime to do. Many times, in an effort to get the "most bang forour buck" we tend to over plan the vacation, and end up needinga vacation from the vacation when we get home! Prioritize yourlist, and be willing to save some activities or attractions foranother trip.

7. Use the resources that are available to make your tripspecial and save money: Today's travelers have numerous optionswhen planning their vacation. You can use the Internet to findout more about the cities or countries you want to visit, checkout prices, even book your flight or hotel room. Here is auseful website you can visit http://www.heping-hotel.comIf you're visiting a place for the first time, check with atravel agent, talk to someone who's "been there, done that" onan Internet Forum, or contact local chambers or commerce ortravel councils to get more information about where to go, whatto see and what to do.

8. Pack lightly: Do not bring items that you will not use andunnecessary because the word "Just In Case". When planning yourtrip, look at your wardrobe and pack as lightly as you can. Takeonly what you'll really need, and remember that if you forget orend up needing something, chances are you can get it once youreach your destination.

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9. Get organized: You can use trip-planning software, or yourown favorite organizing system to organize and plan your trip.Don't forget things like making sure your passport and pictureID are up-to-date, finding out if travel insurance is somethingyou need, and how and where to exchange your money. The moreorganized you are in the beginning, the better vacation you'llhave.

10. Have fun!: Get organized, have a plan before going anywhere.That way, once you're on your way, you'll be able to relax andenjoy yourself. But remember, there are very few "perfect"vacations, so if something does go wrong, try to relax and "gowith the flow" as much as possible.

About the author:Dr. Drew Henry is president of www.natrohotels.com andCEO of www.wellnesshotel-select.com, websites providing up-to-date resources and guidesabout the hotel industry.