When you think about your dream vacation, do you see yourself gazing up at the Eiffel Tower? Do you imagine a shopping spree on the streets of Manhattan? Or do you picture yourself relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Bali? Whatever you’re dream destination is, no travel idea is too big; with the right amount of planning and preparation you can save for a trip to anywhere.

Here are four easy ways to plan for your dream vacation.

1. Budget
Creating a budget is the most important part of planning your trip. Once you get a handle on how much money you’ll need for your vacation, you can determine how long you’ll need to save that amount.

In turn, this will help you decide when you can leave for your holiday. Remember: It’s always better to overbudget than underbudget, and be sure to plan for miscellaneous expenses to handle surprises while travelling. Our handy Dream Vacation Financial Planner will help get you started planning out your finances.

2. Select a season
Deciding what time of year you want to travel will determine the type of place you want to visit. You won’t want to go to India during monsoon season. Or if Aspen is your place of choice you’ll want to get out there in the winter for some skiing. If you’re planning to head to a European destination it would be worthwhile to consider going in the off-season when prices aren’t as high and there are fewer tourists.

3. Pick your destination
The time has come for you to select the destination of your choice. If you continue to waver back and forth between a few different places, you’ll never get off the ground! If it comes down to it and you and your family can’t agree on a spot, pick a city name out of a hat. This is a great way to make your trip a true adventure.

4. Book travel in advance
If you book your flight (or other mode of transportation) well in advance you’ll have the advantage of paying for it in full, giving you ample time to save up for the rest of your trip.

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