Confused on how to get the ball rolling on planning your next big vacation? Here's a handy guide.

1. How to book
your 2012
vacation
By Travelwyse

2. Contents
With the New Year almost upon us, it is time to start thinking
about your yearly getaway. The start of the year is the best
time to plan and book your 2012 vacation because it will
allow you to budget and to get ready for a sufficient
amount of time.
This how-to guide will
outline the best methods
for booking your 2012
vacation, which will help
you plan the holiday of a
lifetime, and not just in
2012!

3. Online:  The internet is a great place
to begin your search with a
wealth of information. You
can search for information
about any destination. It is a
good idea to visit the tourism
websites of the country you
wish to visit. This will provide
you with reliable information
about the types of activities
and attractions in your
desired location.
 However be aware that you
may not be able to ask every
source you visit specific
questions if you require
additional information.

4. Tradeshows
 Tradeshows are an excellent place to visit. Meeting travel
industry experts face-to-face means that you can tailor
your holiday to your exact requirements. Shows like
“Destinations: Holiday & Travel Show” are attended by a
variety of travel companies, meaning you can find
comprehensive information and lots of inspiration!
Click the image below for video
footage of the Destinations show
 There are also lots of 2011
entertainment and celebrity
guest speakers at tradeshows.
The other advantage is that
some exhibitors offer discounts.
For example, Voyages Jules
Verne who are attending the
Destinations show offer a 5%
discount.

5. Travel Agents
 Travel agents are the traditional
method of booking a holiday. They
may be convenient to visit if you live
nearby and will be able to provide
you with various brochures which
allows you to take away information
to think over.
 However, the information you
receive may be limited to one
company. This means you
cannot compare deals from
various companies. It would be
appropriate to book your holiday
via a travel agent if you were
certain about the type of holiday
or company you were looking to
book.

6. Tips:
* Personal recommendations
are always an excellent source
of knowledge. Remember to
ask friend and family about
their favourite holidays.
* Don’t book a last minute
holiday. It is hard to relax and
enjoy your time away when
there has been little time to
plan and prepare.
* Try something new! Consider
a different style of holiday, i.e.
a cruise or safari, or even just
try a new country to which you
have never been before.