Beach Vacation

Are you planning a beach vacation? You're in good company! Every year, as soon as the weather turns warm, millions of families all over the country get away for a few days of body surfing and sunbathing. Can you blame them? What can be more relaxing and pleasurable than a few days spent at the beach?

Plan Early

If you're making plans for a beach vacation, it's important to make your arrangement months in advance. Vacation homes and hotel rooms fill up quickly, some a year in advance! If you're going to a popular spot such as Cape Cod or the Jersey Shore, you might have trouble finding a place to stay if you don't plan at least six to eight months ahead of time-even that might be cutting it close! If you're unsure of how early to make reservations, contact the place at which you would like to stay and ask for their recommendations. If a hotel, motel or summer rental is already booked, ask the manager or booking agent where there might be an available opening. Most are quite accomadating and will be happy to offer alternatives.

Budget

Before you decide where to stay on your beach vacation, you'll want to plan a budget. Knowing how much to spend in advance will help you to decide whether or not to rent a house, a condo or motel room. Besides lodging, there are other costs to consider. For instance, will you need to board a plane or rent a car? Transportation costs can eat away a large chunk of your budget, so be sure to include this in your planning. Your third major cost consideration is food. Will you be making your own meals, dining out every day or a combination of both? Other considerations are entrance fees, souvenirs, and wardrobe and equipment updates.

No matter what your budget, you'll want to be sure to have emergency cash, credit card or travelers checks set aside. While we don't plan on injuring ourselves or denting our cars, it might happen. It's best to pack with a "better safe than sorry" approach.

Packing

What will you pack for your beach vacation? What you pack, and how much you pack, depends mostly on what mode of transportation you will be using to get to your sunny destination. If you'll be traveling in an automobile with plenty of trunk space, you can pack a few extras. If you'll be traveling by plane, train or bus, you'll have to travel a bit lighter. Go through your arsenal of beach gear and decide which are your most important items. Once those are packed, see what else you have room for. In addition to clothing and toiletries, some of the essentials include:

• Sunblock - SPF 15 or higher
• Lip Balm - SPF 15 or higher
• Beach blanket
• Towels
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Wide brim hat
• Light weight cover up clothing
• A good book
• Beach toys for children
• Plenty of water
• Water shoes

If you have room:

• Beach Umbrella
• Beach Chairs

Before you Go

Look for other area attractions. While you may want to spend every single day lounging surfside, other members of your party might prefer to venture away from the beach. Research the area attractions that might appeal to your party before you embark upon your journey, and make a note of their locations and phone numbers. It would be a good idea to look up restaurants and shops in the area as well. If you're staying in an area with few attractions and hardly any dining or shopping choices, you may want to re-think your location. If you're traveling with kids, you'll want to find an area with plenty to do.