Do you have a family trip on your bucket list? Dreaming and planning is a big part of the fun of family trips. Whether you’re heading off to an exotic location or returning to the tried and true family beach, follow these basic recommendations from the travel professionals to ensure your trip is launched for success and memories that will last a lifetime.  If you’ve decided that a family vacation just wouldn’t be the same without taking your dog, this requires another level of planning.

The first step is to set your dates and determine your budget.  If you’ll be driving to your dream vacation spot, have your car serviced and tires checked. (Don’t forget to service the spare tire as well.) If you’ll be flying to your final destination, place a watch on an air fare itinerary for several weeks to ensure the lowest fares for your family tickets. If you have the flexibility, consider flying out of smaller, regional airports instead of major hubs to save on airfare. Cheaper fares are also available when traveling mid-week versus weekends. Confirm with the airline in advance on pet policies, fares and airport arrival times. Take advantage of the awesome deals offered by Groupon coupons and select from the travel crate options available from Petco.

When selecting accommodations, be sure to check about pet policies, weight limits and any additional security deposit requirements. One of the increasingly popular accommodation options is the rental of private vacation homes. These have many advantages over hotels for vacationing families. They are often less expensive per night, allow pets and afford much more space for the family to spread out, lounge and enjoy relaxing evenings dining together. There are many reputable websites that lists homes for rent in just about every major destination. Read the description carefully and be sure to connect with the owner directly via phone or email before sending and deposits. Unfortunately no industry is immune from scammers and this includes vacation home rentals. Best of luck to you on planning your family vacation that will be filled with memories to last a lifetime!