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'Book early:' Travel experts give best vacation booking practices ahead of busy season | Travel Smart

Travel experts give advice on where and when the best vacations deals are for the upcoming summer travel season.

PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Spring is officially here which means the travel season is ramping up ahead of what is expected to be another summer busy with vacationers. 

Experts say if you plan on taking your family somewhere nice this year, the best time to look is now.

"It’s pretty easy to [explain] in one sentence, really with two words, book early," said Gary Goldstein, manager at Pan World Travel, a travel agency based in York County. 

Goldstein suggests solidifying your 2024 vacation before it’s too expensive and too late.

"Travel bookings have been up once again this year, May is going to be very busy. June, July, August are huge family travel times," said Goldstein. "They all tend to go up in price as the dates get closer and people are booking."

However, the big question many travel seekers have is the destinations and times of year that have the best deals for a vacation. Experts say stick with the popular destinations during the unpopular times of the year.

Frequented European spots like Italy and Greece in the winter and Caribbean destinations in the summer are your best bet for the best prices.

"The most frequented destinations have more flights [and] more hotels," said Goldstein. "That’s where you’re going to get your best deals."

However, once that vacation is booked well in advance, the biggest mistake experts see is travelers remembering small details when their trip arrives.

From flight dates and times to proper necessary documentation, they urge travelers to revisit their travel plans and fully understand them as the vacation nears.

"The pace of life is rapid and you just need to settle down, review exactly what you have purchased, exactly what your plans are and do that in advance, before you are on your way to the airport," said Goldstein. 

They add to always be prepared for the unexpected. From flight changes to unpredictable weather, flexibility and awareness when booking early is everything.

"When you travel basically everything is out of your control," said Goldstein. "You just have to go with the flow, make some changes to your plans if you have plans that are affected, and you just have to be conscious of your surroundings. Be a smart traveler no matter where you are."

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