The middle of January is peak time for planning and booking vacations. Travel agents are busy, airlines are running promotions, and call centers are flooded with people looking for a vacation package to break up the winter doldrums.

But are you prepared with the proper information before you pick up the phone?

To make your vacation planning experience smoother, consider some of these tips:

1. Have a budget in mind.
   It’s so much easier to make decisions when you absolutely know what you’re able to spend. And, if you don’t have a specific vacation destination in mind but you just want to go somewhere sunny, a travel agent can make a better recommendation when she/he knows something about your budget.
2. Choose dates before you pick up the phone or visit the travel agency.
   By "dates" we don’t mean "spring." To get good service and a reliable price, be prepared to give the travel agent set dates. Remember that airfares are less expensive for midweek departures and returns. And, remember that the first flights to sell out will be the Saturday flights, especially around your town's spring break schedule.
3. Know what kinds of hotels you like.
   Are you five-star all the way, or is a locally run hotel with only a few rooms more your style? It's helpful to know this about your family or small group, because, once again, an agent can make a better recommendation. Do you like name-brand hotels or independents? If you are interested mostly in the beach and not as much in restaurants, a suite hotel (with a kitchen) or a condominium might be your best choice so most of your meals can be made in your room.
4. Consider fly time.
   Are there direct flights to your destination from your city? How long is the flight? Do you care about connections? If you only want a week in the sun and you don’t care where that is, maybe you should look for your hometown airline’s most direct flight. It’ll give you more time in the sun and less time in the airport.
5. Ask around.
   So you’ve been to Aruba and you want to visit the Caribbean again, but you're not sure where to go?
   The Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico and Jamaica may all sound great, but are they great for you?
   Do you know that Grand Cayman is known for diving? Or that Puerto Rico is home to great beaches as well as incredible rainforest and the home of NASA’s Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI)? Jamaica is the perfect destination for couples or families looking for all-inclusive resorts. Talk to your friends and family. Find out what they liked about a destination. Then, to make sure you’ve got the facts straight, call a travel agent.