PLANNING A vacation can sometimes be such a stressful and daunting prospect that you might be tempted not to plan one at all. Instead, you might take time off work and stay local, especially if it means you don’t have to worry about booking flights and organizing accommodation. However, vacation planning can almost be as rewarding as the vacation itself, especially if you take some of the following steps.

Step 1: Choose a Destination

Before you start working on your itinerary, you need to choose a destination. Where you decide to jet off to can depend on how much time off work or school you’ve taken and your life obligations and responsibilities.

For example, while a young adult on summer break might happily board a plane and head off to Europe for six weeks, a busy parent with children and pets might decide a week in Barcelona, Spain, is more fitting for their schedule.

Step 2: Book Flights

Flights to a vacation destination can sometimes be one of the most expensive costs to allow for. They can sometimes cost several hundred dollars, especially if you book at the last minute or don’t shop around for deals.

Don’t be afraid to check out the best flight websites and talk to travel agents about specific vacation deals that you might be able to take advantage of. If your budget allows, you might even like to treat yourself to a flight upgrade.

Step 3: Book Accommodation

After organizing time off work and booking flights, it’s time to book accommodation. Set a spending limit and narrow your options based on what you can afford. You might also like to opt for package deals that include meals and transport, especially if that means you’ve got one less thing to account for during the vacation planning phase. It also doesn’t hurt to read accommodation reviews to ensure you can relax on your leave from work in style.

Step 4: Plan Activities

While some people like to spend their entire vacation relaxing on beaches and drinking cocktails, others want to experience new things. If you’re eager to explore a new country in earnest, start researching activity options.

There are bound to be plenty of different things to hold your interest. For example, if you plan to travel to Barcelona, you could check out The Gothic Quarter in the city’s heart, the Picasso Museum, or even Camp Nou if you’re a FC Barcelona fan. While you don’t have to stick to a firm activity itinerary, having a rough idea of the sights you’d like to see doesn’t hurt.

Step 5: Tie Up Loose Ends

Most people have a few life obligations, so use the days or weeks before your vacation begins to make provisions for these. For example, you might bring in a house sitter to care for your pets and plants or arrange for your mail to be collected while you’re away.

Many busy professionals also ensure they have taken care of their customers’ needs and put an ‘out of office’ message on their emails.

While planning a vacation can take time or effort, it doesn’t have to be a stressful or daunting process. Take these five steps above, and you might be surprised at how fast and easy it is to organize the trip of a lifetime for you and your loved ones.