With summer right around the bend, it’s time to start planning your vacation. Below you will find 10 tips that will help you to prepare for a long and enjoyable trip.

1. If you have pets, then their comfort should be one of your top priorities. Left alone in your home, they will be lonely and become unhappy. Look into pet kennels that would keep your dog or cat while you are away. Better yet, ask your friends, relatives, or neighbors if they would care for them until you return.

2. Decide if you need someone to house-sit for you. Although this is not always necessary, most people need someone to do small jobs such as pick up the mail, tidy the house, and trim the lawn while they are gone. A house-sitter can make short stops by your home every day, or you can ask them to live within the house as if it was their own. A house-sitter should be someone completely trust-worthy.

3. Taking your own vehicle on the trip may prove to be impossible or impractical. If you plan to fly part of the way or need a car with better gas mileage, look into renting a car. You can find cheap car rentals using the internet.

4. If you’re flying, always book your flight well ahead of time. Contact an airline to find out about the best travel deals and when it would best to book your flight.

5. Rather than wait until you arrive to look for a hotel, choose one in advance using the internet. After reading reviews and looking at their accommodations, reserve your room online or by phone.

6. Choose your apparel ahead of time. Don’t fall into the bad habit of packing your bags the night before you leave home. By thinking over your clothing options, you can pack appropriately and have a much more enjoyable trip.

7. If you are going to be stuck in an airplane for several hours, then take some entertainment along with you. By carrying along some interesting magazines and books, your trip will be much more pleasant.

8. Make a list of everything you need to take with you such as tickets, passport, driver’s license, and personal ID, so that you can pack them before you leave. These important and irreplaceable items should be carried close to you in a purse, wallet, or small suitcase.

9. Trips can be long and, depending on where you are traveling, you may not have the opportunity to buy food or drinks every time you want them. Take along some bottles of water and healthy snacks such as fruit or mixed nuts.

10. Even with the best planning, disaster often occurs. Have a second plan for what you will do if your flight becomes canceled, your hotel reservations become confused, or bad weather strikes.

Once you have finished making these preparations, you can relax and spend some time making a list of the things you want to see and learning about the places that you are going to visit. This is a great way to reward yourself after all your hard work planning everything you need for the trip.

Author Bio: Marina Dukic can be reached at marina@vroomvroomvroom.com.au.