Vacation 101: planning your trip online

Once solely the job of travel agents, vacation planning has never been easier for the casual traveler. With the advent of high-speed satellite Internet, anyone can conveniently research locations, book accommodations and even create travel budgets online. For some, the task of booking an entire vacation on the Web without professional help or guidance is daunting, so here are a few fool-proof tips for making your planning experience easier.

Researching your destination: Many popular destinations have active websites dedicated to tourism in the area. They are full of information on things to do, places to stay and tips for newcomers. These local sites, such as GoHawaii.com, offer specific details you'll find useful when planning the dates of your trip such as peak seasons and weather trends. You can also find message boards with valuable insights from fellow travelers about what to do (and not to do) once you reach your destination.

Booking your transportation: Are you flying to your destination? Once there, will you need a rental car? Securing these services - a process that once required hours spent on the phone with an agent - can now be done quickly through online services such as Expedia.com or Travelocity.com. These sites instantly compare the prices of top national car rental companies and airlines so you can make an informed decision about your transportation options. Plus, you can complete your reservation and payment online weeks before your trip without ever having to wait on hold again.

Securing a hotel room: Gone are the days of exhaustedly driving around a destination in search of a hotel with vacancy and acceptable accommodations. Websites such as Hotels.com and Priceline.com readily show all the hotel rooms available in your desired travel area, complete with customer reviews and pictures. Not only do these services make it easy to get great deals and secure a room well in advance of your trip, the extensive information they provide helps prevent unwelcome surprises at check-in after a long day of travel. Most offer satisfaction guarantees to make the process even more worry-free.

Plan your activities: Tripadvisor.com is a database, constantly updated by actual travelers, that helps you determine what you want to do once you reach your destination. Featuring recommendations for top restaurants, attractions and even full-day itineraries, this site is a great resource for those traveling to a new city. Travelers post pictures, rate experiences and suggest activities from their recent trips, which will help you make the most out of yours. Post your own review when you return to help fellow travelers.

Manage your itineraries: One hurdle faced by travelers who book online is keeping track of the many different details and confirmation numbers concerning their trip. Sites such as TripIt.com allow you to store all this information in a central database, reviewing it in its entirety when you need it. Having a phone with Internet access makes this application particularly useful, but you can also use your home internet connection or a provided hotel computer to view your information. If Internet access will be limited on your trip, simply print out a detailed summary of your information from TripIt.com before you leave home.

The world has never seemed more accessible, and travel is truly easier than ever before. Spend some time learning how to take advantage of the endless resources high-speed Internet has to offer for successful trip planning. You'll not only find it a great method of saving money over traditional travel agency services, but a fun and interactive way to get excited about your upcoming vacation.

Courtesy of ARAcontent