Planning next year's vacation over the holidays with AAA Travel

AAA Travel is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living Live

During the holiday season, friends and family gather to celebrate and spend time together. These special gatherings present the perfect opportunity to start planning next year's vacation. Plus, there's a big perk to planning ahead: If you book next year's vacation before the end of 2012, you could qualify for early booking discounts.

To start the planning process, determine who you will be traveling with. Carve out time for the group to present their ideas to each other, and make a list of the various types of places and things people want to do. In doing so, you may see a trend, such as a destination or vacation experience, like a cruise, start to appear.

If kids will be traveling with you, involve them in the process.  This is a great opportunity to interact with them, get their ideas about where and how to travel, and educate them on the cost of traveling.    

Once you narrow down destination choices, start talking through the details of a potential trip, including travel dates. This may help narrow down your destination choices. Finally, discuss budget, and develop a clear understanding of who is paying for what to avoid confusion and unexpected costs down the road.  

Of course, it's always a good idea to enlist the help of a travel professional, such as a AAA travel agent. As the largest leisure travel agency in North America, AAA Travel offers travel guides and can assist with vacation planning to any destination.

AAA Travel's Sonoran Living Offer: Book next year's trip & save!

Through Dec. 27, 2012, book and pay in full for a 2013 Europe & Britain Insight Vacation and save up to $1,920 per couple!

For more information, visit AAA.com/travel or call 1-877-731-3926.

Don't forget to connect with AAA Arizona on social media! Find AAA Arizona on Facebook and Twitter at AAA.com/social .

AAA Travel is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living Live