How often do we want to just get away from it all? Be it the constant pressure at the workplace, or the stress involved in managing household chores.

It's not surprising then, that as soon as the weather gets pleasant, and we get a few days off, the first thing on our minds is a vacation. It could mean exploring the waterfalls at a hill station close by, or a week relaxing on the beach, or heading to some other exotic or historic location.

We expect the most delightful of vacations at the slightest notice possible. More often than not, however, we end up with a 'was this worth it?' feeling when it comes to footing the bill.

However, with a bit of planning, your dream getaway could be a cherished memory for the right reasons, and not remembered only for the heap of bills.

The place comes last

How many times has your vacation plans started with 'Let's go to Shimla!' or 'Let's visit Goa!'

It's natural to think of vacations in terms of places, but digging a little deeper will save you quite a bit money. What you are looking for in a vacation might be a sunny beach, or a hill station, or maybe some adventure sports. Now look for the cheapest option available among these.

Sunny beaches are mostly the same all over, and the not-so-popular ones might just provide you with the required setting for a break. Look for places that are not too commercial, but draw the line at people not having heard of the place. Accessibility and convenience for tourists are factors that cannot be ignored.

Book earlier and pay lesser

This is probably the golden rule to getting good deals on vacations. This applies not only for hotels and flights, but also for those luxury cruises. Importantly, some operators allow you to shift dates within a certain gap when it comes to hotels or cruises. Also, taking time off is easier once you know in advance that you will be taking a vacation.

Invest in a vacation

A vacation needn't always be a spur of the moment plan. Chalk out the last few vacations you took, and you might just start seeing a pattern. Let's say, you take a vacation once in two years, and that an average vacation costs you Rs 30,000.

• Smart tax-saving solutions

That means you need to save about Rs 1,500 per month to meet that target. Besides setting aside money for the vacation, this habit also encourages you to save on a regular basis, which cannot hurt.

Book off and pre-season

Any vacation seems more fun if you have had a blast at a bargain. This would need you to choose vacation spots wisely, and travel either pre-season or off-season. Hence, try avoiding places with extreme climates, as this might not be a feasible option.

If you do this, your savings will be significant and range from airfare to hotels to even shopping. You can expect anything from 30 to 70 per cent off during this period. The only drawback here might be that quite a few of the shops which are open during the season may be closed.

Team up with another couple or a family

This is another great way to get deals on accommodation, travel and even shopping. More often than not, all it takes to convince someone for a vacation is to just ask them. In most cases, if they are close friends, the vacation can be doubly fun and also provide for a change from spending time with just the family. Travelling as a group also allows for great bargaining power. So double occupancy rooms or two carpets of the same kind... it can all get a lot cheaper.

Avoid spending on stopovers

This is usually an unexpected area of spending. And the hotel charges are usually high at these places, as they happen to be tourist hubs. Instead, look for relatives or friends to crash with for the night. A nice gift as a token of your appreciation will still not be near the damage that a stay at a stopover hotel would have caused to your budgeting.

Research thoroughly

Check out the travel section in magazines, newspapers or log on to the Internet or visit the local travel agency. At times, the best deals might be available with either the travel agent, or online. Check out various travel websites for the best deals on flight tickets.

• How to save to achieve your goals

Sometimes, the best deals are listed on the airline's website itself.

Also, enquire with the local or state tourism board. They might provide you with information that might not be accessible elsewhere.

What's my kind of hotel?

Find the right kind of hotel for yourself and your vacation needs. Needless to say, a family holiday would not be much fun in a honeymooner's resort and vice-versa.

Also, ask the hotel attendant for the lowest rates among rooms. Most times, people end up living in more expensive rooms, simply because they took what was offered and didn't ask.

If you identify a kind of hotel or a group of hotels that you like, go directly to their specials page or look them up in the 'Indian hotel's directory'. It is difficult for smaller hotels to advertise on websites about the deals they offer. So visit them directly.

Double-check your travel arrangements

Many times, flights or hotels offer schemes where you can take an additional person along for low rates. This usually happens around two weeks prior to the scheduled departure or stay. Always confirm the travel anda ccomodation costs before leaving, to ensure they have been booked at the rates quoted initially.

Part II -- How to plan a vacation for your kids 

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