Preplanning Guide: Number of Pages: 25

Having a successful holiday requires some planning which is why Travel Agents, who do this planning are popular. 

However, this extra help comes at a cost since the accommodation and suggestions are usually more pricey.

      In our holiday planning after we decide on the WHEN, the first task is to book the transportation, ie the plane and the car rental in our case. For many years this cost for two was about $2500.00. This is changing, Airfares are increasing and so are car rentals, especially so after this pandemic. 

     Now comes the WHERE? We choose the locational focus of the holiday based on what we want to do. No more the road trip as in former years. We deliberately choose a smaller area and enjoy it. In recent years, it has been the South West of England - a delightful area to explore and hike. Our focus in the 90's was the North - the Yorkshire Dales. Yorkshire Moors and the Lake District. We do not try and do both the North and South in one holiday - too much driving.

       Accommodation comes next. The internet is the place to go. There are holiday rental companies that will rent you a cottage for a week. We have used 1. Sykes  2. Blue Chip to name two companies where the  properties have been delightful. 

      Some hotels at the beginning and end of your holiday is inevitable and we usually choose The Premier Inns to stay in. They are plentiful, reasonable and the accommodation is dependable. A restaurant is usually close by so food is covered. 

        After these basics are organized, you are free to research the areas for Places to See, Hiking, National Trust Properties, and Historical sites or anything that may be on your agenda. You will also discover things when you arrive that are a surprise and that is good. The surprises are often the best part of the trip. 

       If these things are planned in advance, you are free to enjoy your holiday. We long  ago gave up getting accommodation on the fly since it took  so much time away from our holiday.