Here are our top tips to make planning your next vacation as smooth as the drink you’ll be sipping on the beach!

1. Choosing your accommodation

Whether this is your first trip or you are a seasoned traveler, most of us pack our bags and hit the road looking to make some lifelong memories and to enjoy some relaxation.

This is why so many people’s first instinct to book a hotel can be wrong. Sure, there are some nice hotels out there, but you have to remember that when you stay in a hotel, you’re one of hundreds of guests. In some cases, you’re one of thousands of guests. In other words, there’s no real privacy and you can expect to receive the same standard room and treatment as any other guest. In these situations, you’re just a number, one of many.

Renting a vacation home is appealing for a variety of reasons. You can choose the exact home that meets your needs. The size, the amenities, the location. The best part is, you don’t have to share your rental home with other guests! When you rent a property, the owner of that property is going to have everything prepared for you to make sure you had the best experience possible. In these situations, you are the only guests to please. Additionally, you don’t have to deal with waiting on lines or listening to other people’s kids screaming and yelling. That’s not a real getaway. That’s just a different kind of headache. A vacation rental offers a relaxing and private home away from home.

Here are some other great steps for ensuring your vacation goes smoothly from start to finish.

2. Weather

Take a look at the weather forecast before you go! As much as we would love it to always be sunny (or snowy if that’s what you’re hoping for!), chances are you might see some less than ideal weather while you’re away – and you want to be prepared for that. Bring clothes for all weather possibilities, and make sure you have (or the property owner has) indoor activities – books, games, DVDs, in case going outside isn’t an option.

4. Book Ahead

Book some tours, activities, and meals ahead of time. It can be nice to go with the flow a little bit on vacation, but having a couple things booked can make you feel a little more organized – especially when you first arrive. Check out some tour and activity options here for your next trip!

5. Pack!

Make sure you pack your car (or at least your bags!) the night before you leave. This accomplishes two goals at once. One, it saves you time in the morning, which allows you to get up, eat breakfast, and go. Two, by leaving earlier in the morning and saving that hour, you will be on the road earlier than most vehicles.

6. Communicate with the property owner

Another important step for saving time is to tell the property owner what you and your family like to do. For example, if you tell them that you like to go to the beach, then they might have beach chairs, an umbrella, and a cooler sitting by the front door when you arrive, making it as convenient for you as possible.

And enjoy!

Don’t have a vacation booked yet? Now’s the time! Click here to start browsing over 500,000 properties.