Tips for taking the pain out of planning a family vacation

(ARA) - As the end of school and warmer weather approaches, many families are beginning to plan spring and summer vacations. While trips are meant to serve as a break from the stresses of everyday life, the actual planning phase can add more than a few headaches to the vacationing process. Following a few simple steps will help you and your family plan a fun and memorable excursion while avoiding the hassles that sometimes come with arranging a trip.

Set a firm budget: Though this step may seem obvious, many people never take the time to sit down and decide on a budget for their vacation. Many official destination Web sites have programs aimed at making this task easier. Using a wireless Internet connection, visit the homepage for your chosen location, then enter in dollar amounts for such items as food, tickets and hotels. These can be tabulated to create a personalized vacation budget for your family to help you stay on track.

Utilize travel Web sites: Sites such as Travelocity and Expedia are great tools for planning a vacation. These sites feature pictures and videos that require a high-speed Internet connection to view, such as that offered by CLEAR Internet. Having fast, reliable Internet service is crucial for using these features and others - such as posting travel reviews and suggestions. CLEAR 4G Internet delivers speeds you can't get from other Internet service providers. Once you've planned the details of your trip, travel sites offer easy online booking to help your vacation become a reality.

Make a good packing list: Don't wait until the night before your trip. Instead, create an early list of the items you use on a daily basis so you won't forget by packing last minute. Also keep a list of anything you think you may forget, like camera batteries or reading materials, so you won't have to rely on memory later on. Many people find it helpful to type a master packing list, then simply print off the list before a trip and mark off items as they pack them.

Get everyone involved: Give everyone in your family a certain job relating to the planning of the trip. Have your children look through a brochure to select attractions for the family to visit, or have your spouse browse online for great restaurant ideas. Splitting up the workload not only helps alleviate the burden of planning but gets everyone excited about the vacation to come. Your kids will be especially pleased when they actually get to visit the sites they've selected, making the trip all the more special.

Planning a trip doesn't have to be a chore - there are great shortcuts and services available everywhere that help make the process easier and more enjoyable. Vacations are about relaxation and spending time together as a family, not perfecting every detail and following a rigid itinerary, so have some fun, involve your children and count down the days until you're off on your great adventure.

Courtesy of ARAcontent