Autumn has just arrived, and your weather may still be warm and mild, so it may seem too early to think about your winter holiday trip. However, there are several advantages to planning now.
Greater Availability
Going off the beaten path may give you more flexibility, but both warm beach locations and snowy ski lodges are in high demand between the Thanksgiving and New Year holidays. Nice places can book up fast. For example, North Carolina beachfront rentals are available now, but as the weeks go by, sites may become limited. Booking early assures that you can have your first choice of accommodations. Extended stays, lasting two or three weeks, are much easier to secure if you plan in advance.
Extra Enjoyment
When you start planning now, you start enjoying now as well. Studies show that people enjoy the anticipation of an event almost as much as the event itself. During the hectic holiday season, you may enjoy a little vacation daydreaming. A stressful job becomes more bearable when you remind yourself that you are working toward a few weeks of leisure.
Smoother Experience
Spontaneity enhances some experiences; it can be fun to take a side trip on the spur of the moment. However, when you are coordinating a get-together among several family members, planning ahead is key. You need to accommodate various schedules and allow for differing interests. Give yourself time to fend off minor disasters.
Planning ahead helps ensure that you will not miss sights or events that are important to you. When you research your destination, you can prioritize how you will spend your time. You will leave with treasured memories rather than regrets.
Not only will your vacation go more smoothly, but your work also may as well. Bosses appreciate knowing about time off well in advance. Coworkers may be able to cover your duties in your absence if you have time to teach them a few things before you leave.
Better Prices
Many aspects of travel are more affordable when you book in advance. Airline tickets can be significantly cheaper if you book a month or two prior to travel. The same applies to lodging, tours and activities.
Even if you do not get a discount for reserving early, there is a financial advantage to doing so. When you know for sure what your vacation will cost, you know how much you need to save for the trip. Replacing vague estimates with accurate totals can help you make choices that fit into your budget.