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Components Of A Package Vacation

By: Cynthia Andrews

If you're ready to take a vacation, here are the things you'll want to cover…

Airplane tickets, including transportation to and from the airport

A hotel (or a few, if you'll be moving around a bit)

Rental car or other ground transportation

Reservations for dinner, entertainment, sightseeing, and…

What you will need when you are there (packing)

You can either scramble to try and get all of this in order with only a month or two before you're set to fly, or… you can just go with a package vacation.

Depending on the vacation itself, the components of a package vacation can include anything from just a round trip ticket and a hotel room, or, both of those, plus a half dozen other things. In either event, though, the purpose of a package vacation remains the same: reduce your to-do list down to one item: packing your bags.

If you're looking for a full, all inclusive package vacation through a reputable travel agency, you can probably expect it to include the following.

Airplane Tickets

Well you probably knew that already! However, booking a package trip through a great travel agency can help to get you a surprisingly great deal on tickets. You don't even need to fly coach to get a nice price if you're willing to take a moment and look for a great package. Consider buying trip interruption/trip cancellation insurance for a small extra fee. This insurance could be a real money saver if anything should go wrong with your flight plans such as inclement weather or major airline malfunction.

Hotel Reservations

Okay, this is another no-brainer! Again, though, booking with a package deal offers a number of advantages. First, and perhaps most obvious: you don't have to go calling every single hotel around your destination to find out who has a vacancy, your travel agent does that for you. This means you don't have to worry about showing up with no place to stay and just hoping for the best. Second, any travel agent worth his salt is pretty much a professional low-price-finder. A good travel agent will be able to find dozens of hotels in any area, and they will know how to find the best hotels at the lowest prices.

Rental Car

This depends on your package, of course. You might prefer to take taxis everywhere. However, if you're looking to drive yourself around, reserving a car with a package deal is a better idea than just showing up at the local rental agency and hoping they have something halfway decent on the lot. Reserving a car in advance, you usually have a nice variety of options, and, most rental agencies will bring the car directly to the airport. Not up for driving in an unfamiliar location? Some packages offer unlimited bus/tour passes that will allow you get around and see all the sites you want to see without the hassle of navigating and parking.

Dining Reservations

This one is to be considered at your own discretion. If there's a famous restaurant at your destination that you'd love to try, you may want to reserve a table. However, in other events, you may just want to wander the streets and check out some little hole in the wall café. Again, this one is up to you.

More importantly, though, many all-inclusive vacation packages include the cost of food and drinks - meaning you don't have to shell out money and tips every time you turn around. Even if you don't choose an all-inclusive resort, a lot of top quality hotels have concierge floors with free food and beverages all or part of the day. Be sure to find out exactly what is included and not included in the package you choose. Some packages just include breakfast and lunch but not dinner. You don't want any surprises once you get there.

Entertainment Reservations

Okay look, if you're going to Vegas, you want to have reserved your entertainment tickets, say, at least a year before you were born. Okay but seriously! You can't really expect to show up outside the Cirque du Soleil and ask if they've got a spare seat. It's always a good idea to book tickets for live entertainment well in advance.

Vacation packages frequently have other options for exercise and sight-seeing. Ask about fitness facilities and any off-site recreation privileges - such as golf at a private club. Another overlooked package perk is discount helicopter or hot air balloon tours.

Resort Reservations

Well, this one is specific to resort packages, of course. You're not really going to need a resort reservation if, well, you don't plan on going to a resort! But anyways, if you're looking to hit up a resort, an all inclusive package really is the way to go.

Be sure to ask about your specific resort's policies on recreation activities such as golf, sailing, snorkeling and spa services. You don't want to assume that just because the cost is included in your package, you can just show up whenever you feel like it. Most resorts require advance reservations for high-demand activities such as scuba diving and massage therapy.

Other packages might include cruise ship tickets, tour guides, and so on. It really depends on the actual vacation you have in mind. However, an all inclusive package should, at least, include the basics: transportation, hotel, and reservations for just about anything you want.

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About Author:
Cynthia Andrews is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation tips often discussing travel deals one would find through working with a travel agent.

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