Make a list of the people travelling with you. Include everyone's full name, date of birth and any medical conditions. Check whether any of them already has travel insurance, and if so, make a note of the policy details. Now the exciting bit - choose where you want to go! The world is your oyster but with so many places to go and see, you may find it hard to find the pearl.
Most of us base our holidays on our budgets and dates we can travel; however, the most important decision is where to go. If you are new to travelling, or are not sure where you want to go, research a handful of destinations and then pick the one that most appeals to you.
Start collecting brochures for ideas. Don't know where to start? Have a look at the helpful links on our Useful Info page! Research will also provide you with details on the best times to go. The Caribbean may sound like pure luxury, but make the mistake of going in hurricane season and it could turn into the wind-lashed holiday from hell.

Read upbeat hotel reviews! How much can you afford? Be realistic, work out your budget per person and agree to stick to it. Often, the prices you see online or in travel agents' windows are for dates and times that no-one wants, or the accommodation may be "allocation on arrival", meaning that you won't know where you're staying until you arrive. So always get a formal quote before you get your hopes up.

Go to the currency converter When do you want to travel, and for how long? Can you be flexible with these dates? If so, by how many days? You might be able to take advantage of those super online deals if you can travel when few other people can.

If you are using a travel company, choose it with care. Rule number one: always book through a reputable company, preferably one who is part of travel organisations such as ABTA and ATOL. Look out for those abbreviations on the tour company's materials. Travolaa suggest using companies such as:
Thomson
Expedia
Kuoni

Travel Republic
First Choice

See our Useful Info section for more info.

Choose which airport, railway station or port is most convenient for everyone in your group, both in the UK and at your destination. Decide what kind of accommodation and board you want – if you've seen the place of your dreams, make a note of the full name and location. Even if it's not available or within your budget, it'll help the company you're booking with understand what you're looking for and give you a benchmark to work from. List any special requirements. Are you travelling with someone who needs assistance? Does your whole group want to sit together? Do you prefer an aisle or a window seat? Do you want to book into a special, upmarket airport lounge? Do you have any special dietary requirements?

If you're taking a cruise, do you want your cabin to be inside or outside? For information, including contact details on most of the charter and schedule airlines based in the UK, we recommend visiting: www.touristnetuk.com

Whoever you're booking with, make sure you have the answers to the following questions. You can expect to pay between £50 and £500 per person, if you're booking more than twelve weeks before your departure date. You may need to pay in full if you're booking within twelve weeks of departure. Cash, cheque, debit or credit card? Is there a charge for using a debit or credit card? You may be charged 5% for using a credit card, however you might decide it's worth it if gives you payment protection. Check with your credit card company if you're not sure. Whatever your method, have it ready! You don't want to fumble around looking for it in the middle of booking. Always worth asking, especially if you're a large group, or you're booking for a special occasion. Again, it does no harm to ask! Many companies offer loyalty schemes. The booking staff can be a useful source of information about the local area and the best time of year to go, so get them to share their knowledge with you!

Go to our Tried and Tested section for reviews on destinations we have visited, or visit our Useful Info page for links to other handy websites Make sure you are clear about the maximum weight and number of bags you can take. Paying for excess baggage can be very expensive! You can generally take 15kg- 23kg per person, plus one item of hand luggage. Airlines tend to stick rigidly to the rules, and charge you heavily if you exceed the limit. Don't give them the chance!

Scheduled airlines usually have a generous luggage allowance; charter airlines less so. Some budget airlines may ask you to pay extra for anything except hand luggage.

See Useful Info for a description of the different types of airlines.
Phew! Seems like a lot to think about doesn't it? Luckily, we've put a list together for you. It should look something like this:

Person 1

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Any known medical conditions
• Own insurance? Y/N

Person 2

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Any known medical conditions
• Own Insurance? Y/N

• Available dates, duration, flexibility
• Destination
• Accommodation and location
• Budget (£per person)
• Preferred tour operator, preferred method of transport
• Flying from and flying to
• Special requests

1. Deposit amount?
2. Final balance due?
3. Credit card charges?
4. Special discounts?
5. Air miles or loyalty scheme?
6. Visa requirements?
7. Luggage allowance?
8. Info about local area?