Where to start
To get an idea of the types of vacation packages available and their costs, look in the Sunday travel section of a large-city newspaper, or surf the Internet. There you will find some of the tour packages available both in the United States and abroad.
If you have the time and patience, you can plan a vacation on your own and save money by doing so. But be prepared to spend hours on the phone or at your computer to shop around. Travel guides, available at bookstores or through AAA, can help. And the airlines will be happy to quote you their special vacation packages and any discount fares.
For people who do not have the time to do their own research, it's a good idea to use a travel agent. They have access to the latest tour packages and updated airline fares and hotel costs. Internet users might start with www.travel.com.

Vacation ideas
There are endless types of trips available, from the family vacation to the exotic.
Disney World (www.disney.com), a favorite of many Kentucky families, expects record attendance this summer, despite concerns about a slowing economy. The more adventuresome might try a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise (www.windjammer.com), which often attracts men and women ages 23 to 65. There is now an abundance of cruise ships and many offer attractive cruise prices when you book ahead several months or during the off-season. Local motorcoach companies also offer a wide range of vacation packages and prices, from three days to seven or more.
Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to discover a good vacation destination, and sometimes it can steer you away from a disaster. Ask your family, friends, and co-workers for vacation ideas and then do a little research to see if it matches your interests.

Saving is best
Try to spread the cost of vacationing over an entire year by including a "travel" line in your monthly budget. For example, if you want to visit Europe a year from now and expect the trip to cost $6,000, you can pay for it in full by setting aside $500 a month. If you cannot afford that much, save as much as you can or choose a less expensive trip.
Of course, saving for a trip in June 2002 will not help you this summer. If your heart is set on a vacation that you cannot pay for in cash, you still have a few options. You may be able to draw on a home-equity line of credit or take out a personal loan from the credit union or bank. If you must charge the vacation to a credit card, use one with a low interest rate.

Before departing
Before you leave home, review your renter's or homeowner's insurance policy, to make certain it will protect your home and possessions against vandalism or theft while traveling. You may also want to consider flight or car-rental insurance.
But before buying extra insurance, check your regular homeowner's or health policies, which may provide adequate coverage.
Make certain someone knows your itinerary, in case of an emergency at home. You should also let a friend or family member know the whereabouts of important papers, including your will, in case the unthinkable occurs.
And a set of car keys should be left with a friend or relative if you're taking a plane. Those cartoons about a person being stuck at the airport when the plane is leaving-with car keys aboard-are more truth than fiction.