I was watching one of the news this morning and heard that there is going to be 150 records broken across the US for the lowest temperatures. Brrr! That really got me thinking that the whole country is in for a loooonnngggg winter, not just those of us in Minne-snow-ta!
When it comes to a winter vacation, planning is key!
If you are one of those people who NEEDS to get out of the cold, clouds, rain, snow, overall nasty weather then you really should start planning your winter vacation as early as August or September. The entire travel industry experiences a lull during this time as families focus on getting kids back to school. However, airlines still have to sell seats.
OK, since it’s December I realize that doesn’t help you very much. But this can.
Use a Travel Agent.
Travel Agents have knowledge of the best tour operators to use for each destination.
Many tour operators have charter flights, which means they have purchased all of the seats on a flight (to those weather destinations) and have them to sell at reasonable rates. Supply and demand apply here. As the seats sell, the price increases per seat so the sooner you book the better.
January is considered “wave season”. Pun intended. Cruise lines have their deepest discounts and best promotions in January so its a great time to book your cruise.
Use an app like Hopper or Google flights that lets you know the best time to book air.
If you are going to travel beyond the US, your passports must have at least 6 months of validity left at the time of travel. One exception would be if you are taking a closed-loop cruise, where your cruise begins and ends at the same US location. However, passports are still highly recommended. If you are flying before your cruise make sure your name & dates of birth must match your airline ticket exactly.
Have a budget in mind? If you (or your travel agent) find a great vacation package place it on hold without a deposit for 24 hours. You can then thoroughly review the itinerary before you make a decision.
By booking early, you get the best available inventory as well. I can’t tell you how many times come March clients say “get me out of winter” and most of the resorts are already booked. It’s not too late. Plan now!
Taking a vacation gives you a mental break and allows you to have fun with your family or friends is a great way to lose those winter blues!
Need some packing tips for your vacation? Check this out!
Hi, I’m Sandy Haddick, owner and Travel Dream-Maker of Dreams are Forever Travel. I’m a certified Travel Leaders Vacation Specialist with IATA credentials and several vacation destinations & vacation brands certificates.
With a degree in Business Administration & Marketing, over 20 years in Supply Chain and my passion for planning and travel, the move to open my own agency was a natural fit: instead of moving product, I move people.
Planning a vacation can be a daunting process. There are so many details–flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and activities. The internet is a great place to look, but not the place to book! Working with Dreams Are Forever Travel ensures everything is arranged, scheduled, and paid for before you leave the house, allowing you time to enjoy your vacation. Every detail is taken care of, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. There’s never a cost to use our services, all you have to do is pack your bags!
I love making travel dreams come true; let’s start planning YOUR next dream vacation!