A vacation is not much of a vacation until you get out the door and arrive at your destination. The packing and the travel can be quite difficult and cause the need for a vacation for you and your family. These tips were written to help you through the stressful stages of vacation planning.

No matter what your intentions are, you should always join the airlines frequent travel club. Even if you never fly again, you may receive a perk just for joining. On the other hand, you may fly with them a few times and you will receive benefits every time that you do.

Take a photo of your luggage in advance. This makes it easier to identify your bag in case it gets lost. Many pieces of luggage look similar, and it can be hard to remember the features of your bag that make it different. Also, if you are traveling internationally, a foreign clerk might not understand English but they'll understand a picture.

Financial institutions will generally provide better currency exchange rates than local currency exchange shops. If you are traveling to a foreign country and use an international bank, you can save some money by going to your bank or using one of the bank's ATMs in the foreign country. You might get a better rate than in your own country.

Call the airport ahead of time to receive your seat assignment. Without a seat assignment there is a chance that you might be bumped from a flight. If this happens, you could find yourself stuck in the terminal waiting for the next flight. This could take several hours.

One simple tip for hotel safety is to carry a small rubber door stop with you. It can pack easily inside a shoe or even be carried in a jacket pocket if you're short on space. This door stop can be wedged under the door at night, to prevent midnight visitors.

Save money at your travel destination by employing the local mass transit, rather than taxis. You should be able to map out routes and schedules easily, if you plan in advance. Not only will you save money, but you will see your destination from the unique perspective of the locals.

If you are traveling by airplane, call the airline company or airport before you go to the airport. Although many airlines do not make this a requirement anymore, it is a good idea to do so, just in case your flight has been canceled or delayed. You can also check your flight status, online.

If you are going to be traveling I would highly suggest planning your itinerary ahead of time. Many travel agents agree that doing so prevents you from wasting time when you actually arrive at your destination. This is not to say you cannot improvise, however it can and will maximize your enjoyment.

If you're traveling with kids, it's tempting to let them all tune out with their own mp3 players, but consider bringing along some books on CD. Having something literate and interesting for the whole family to listen to is not only entertaining and interesting, but provides a common experience that each family member can take forward with them into life ("Hey, remember when I was ten, and we listened to Black Beauty on the way to Maine?"). It's the stuff of which fond memories are made.

To help you get the best prices when making travel plans, make sure to compare plane flights on several different websites. Often, specific travel websites will offer limited time promotions on certain routes. So, make sure to take your time when purchasing tickets so you get the best value for your air travel needs.

When you are packing light for an extended trip, bring along a rain coat with a soft lining. You never can predict what the weather will do. Also, the rain coat can double as a windbreaker in cold weather or even a bathrobe while you are in your hotel room.

Now that you've chosen your dream vacation site and made a list of items to pack, you can sit back and relax, as you start to dream of faraway destinations. So pack your bags and your passport, get plenty of rest, and get ready to embark on your best trip to date.