Winter Blues Got You Down? Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Now!

Booking your summer vacation now will not only lighten your mood and lift your spirits-it will allow you to get the escape you want at a price you can afford.

When the days are shorter, the nights are longer, and temperatures reach the freezing mark, some people start to feel a little lethargic. And is it any wonder? A lack of sunlight can leave anyone feeling down. In addition, uncomfortably cold weather may make you think the only thing you can do is hibernate in your home until spring.

The good news is there is a way to beat the winter doldrums-planning your summer vacation now. The promise of a warm, sunny escape is sure to lighten your mood and lift your spirits. What's more, if you book your trip early, you'll get to take advantage of numerous benefits, such as increased selection of vacation packages and special savings.

Read on as we reveal the top five reasons why you should book your summer getaway now.

• Increased availability: When it comes to planning your summer escape, you'll want lots of options to choose from. If you wait too long, however, you could find that your selection is limited. By booking early, you'll be able to get not only the dates you want, but also the accommodations and airfare of your choice.
• Early booking offers: Many hotels, resorts, and airlines offer discounts or perks if you book your vacation ahead of time. Search popular websites like Travelocity.com and Expedia.com for advanced booking specials and "early bird" rates. You may be surprised to find that you can enjoy the vacation you've always dreamed of at a price you can actually afford.
• Locked-in prices: Those who plan their vacations at the last minute may have to contend with rate hikes. But when you book early, you'll lock in a fixed price (with fuel prices continuing to fluctuate, this is important). What's more, some airlines offer a travel protection plan, so if the price of your flight decreases between the time you book it and your travel date, you'll get a refund for the difference.
• Time to research: The best way to find savings is to do your homework. In addition to finding deals on airfare and accommodations, look for discounts on rental cars or research public transportation options. Also find out about local activities, events, and attractions-you may be able to find savings on them.
• Flexible payment options: Some travel companies and agencies offer the option to put down a deposit to secure your vacation. That way, you can pay the balance in installments, setting aside a certain amount of money each month to pay for the trip. In many cases, you don't have to pay the balance until 30 days before your trip and there are no fees or interest charges.

Once you've started planning your summer vacation, follow these four tips to save additional money.

• Create a budget-and stick to it: To save on your vacation, it's important to create a detailed, written budget ahead of time. After you've assessed how much money you have to spend, allocate a certain amount for transportation, lodging, food, entertainment, and incidentals. To learn more, check out our "Summer Vacations-Can You Stay on Budget?" guide.
• Travel on weekdays: Although summer is the most popular time for vacations, you can usually save money by traveling mid-week, as opposed to on weekends. Also try to steer clear of other events that could cause rate hikes, such as local conferences or festivals.
• Shop wisely: There are many appealing deals on the Internet, but if you're booking your vacation online, you'll want to be sure you're shopping at a reputable website. Watch out for bargains that sound too good to be true; read the website's privacy policy and terms of service; and look for a VeriSign, TRUSTe, or BBBonline seal.
• Invest in insurance: Whenever you book a vacation-and particularly when you make your reservations in advance-it's wise to purchase travel insurance. That way, if you have a medical emergency and need to cancel, you won't lose all of your investment. In addition, most travel insurance packages protect against cancellations caused by hurricanes and natural disasters.

Remember, no matter how cold the weather may be, you can beat the winter blues and save money by planning your summer vacation now. Check out our guide to Vacationing on a Shoestring for additional savings tips, and search our Article Library for more information.

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