Whether you are celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary, a graduation or retirement, or simply checking off your bucket list, a dream vacation is one of the best ways to create lasting memories for you and your family.

What’s your pleasure: A deserted island, a backpacking adventure, a mountain get-away, a month-long cruise, or a trip abroad? If you can go there in your dreams, you might be able to turn it into a dream vacation. Traveling is an impactful and transformative experience and once those memories are locked away, they are forever cherished, and the experiences are priceless.

When planning a dream vacation, it might be easy for you to choose a general location or region. But, if the choice isn’t clear, then begin with some research to narrow down the list and eventually choose your spot. No matter the time of year or place you choose to visit, you’ll find great spots to explore and enjoy.

 Define your Dream

“Dream vacation” means something different to everyone. To some it might mean disconnecting from all electronics for a week or two and doing nothing but treating yourself to spa days and smoothies. To someone else, it might mean packing in 10 or 12 hours’ worth of activities each day, and to others it could mean two weeks of bouncing around to different theme-, water-, and rollercoaster-parks each day. No matter which camp you fall into, there are always ways to treat yourself and your family to the vacation of a lifetime.

Keep the Adventure on Track

Planning ahead will ensure your dream vacation is filled with fun and that it stays on track. Start with a budget and do some research and try to schedule activities in advance. The last thing you want on your dream vacation is an unwelcome surprise, like finding out the main attraction you traveled to see is closed for renovations or maintenance. Consider splurging on a travel agent who can assist with everything from airline tickets and travel insurance to museum tours and personal chefs.

The Locals

If you plan to travel to an area with a different culture from what you have previously experienced, don’t be shy about getting out to explore everything the culture has to offer, whether it’s interesting cuisine, art, or nightlife. Ask the locals where they go for lunch or afternoon coffee. These are usually the most interesting spots to truly enjoy the local culture. Imagine what exhilarating stories you’ll have to tell for many years to come.

You Deserve a Guide

Consider all the possibilities when it comes to new experiences, learning new things, and your dream vacation. If you’re fly fishing in Montana, find the best local fishing guide to take you and your family out on the water. When trekking through a rainforest, try and book your trip with a group or a private tour guide. If you’re near the ocean, how about some surfing lessons? You won’t regret splurging on a pro to make sure you and your family are safe, happy, and enjoying every last drop of the goodness that comes from a dream vacation.

Snap it Fast

We all know how important it is to capture the moment, but sometimes the moment can be lost when viewing each one through a camera lens. We recommend snapping those photos and then staying present and truly experiencing your get-away. It’s important to find a balance between capturing and missing the moments. If you’re traveling in a group, maybe you could appoint a different person to be the photographer for the day (this could be part of the planning process). Then, every evening, get together and share the daily photos with the rest of the group or family. This is one sure-fire way of staying in the moment and not missing the excitement of your dream vacation.

Remember, a dream vacation is what you say it is! Mountains, beaches, railways, or walking tours. No matter what you choose, it’s a time to be generous to yourself and your family and plan the vacation of a lifetime.

At Classic Funding, we believe everyone deserves to experience the possibilities. Are you ready to see what you qualify for? Start HERE with a short and simple application to instantly see loan offers with no impact to credit.