We (my husband Paul and I) travel a lot. If it’s not a planned vacation, it is a work trip. Most of Paul’s work trips allow for us to add on vacation days before or after. As a perfect example, we took vacation days following a conference in London and saw a bit of Europe which made it less expensive than booking a separate trip. This is just one of the ways you can save on a vacation if you have the freedom to take your vacation before or after. But where does one begin the process? If you are a seasoned traveller, you have probably had first hand knowledge of these travel planning tips, but if you are new to travel or just want to read how I plan my trips, then read on. Many people use travel sites/agents, or friend recommendations to plan a trip. I’m writing this post to share how I go about creating the best vacation and why these steps are helpful and necessary to make a trip great. Even if you use a travel agent or book an all inclusive, these tips should help you communicate what’s important to you and give the planner guidance.