All good vacations have one thing in common, careful planning. Just because you are going away on a pleasure trip does not mean you do not have to do a little bit of homework.

1. Involve every member of the family in the planning stage, including children. Adults often think they know what their children want to see, but rarely bother to ask them. To ensure that children feel part of the vacation, let them help in the planning.

2. Research before making reservations. When you pick your destination, read up on it. Find out what there is to do and see, where to stay, how to get around and the best way to get there.

3. Libraries, travel agents, and tourism organizations can also provide abundant information.

4. If money is a concern, make a budget and stick to it. Decide how much you want to spend.

5. Divide that amount by the number of days you plan to stay. Be sure to keep a certain amount for any unexpected expenses.

6. Know what your rights and responsibilities are as a travel consumer. Read and understand the fine print in any travel agreements you sign.

7. Plan a few specific activities for your vacation. Curb any impulses to plan for every hour of your trip, but also do not leave the time completely unstructured. You don't want to waste your vacation wondering what to do.