Planning to take a trip in 2018? It is a great year to do so! There is a ton going on around the world and it is the perfect time to make memories. However, you do have to be smart about when, where, and how you book your vacations. If you are smart, you will be able to take better trips to create even more memories – or you may able to get another vacation out of the year.

Here are some of our favorite tips for booking your vacations in 2018:

Plan in Advance

Planning as far in advance as you can will help you to go at your ideal time, if you absolutely have to plan it all out. Certain destinations will book around the more popular times of the year, so if you dream about spending New Year’s in NYC or going to Disney in June, you want to plan as far in advance as you can.

Or Be Spontaneous

If you have more flexibility, you can consider going somewhere at the last minute. This often will get you the best deals on hotels, and you won’t have to worry about “overplanning” anything.

Think About Packages

One thing you might want to do is purchase a package deal. Getting a hotel and a flight packaged together will save you money in many instances. Sometimes, you’ll get the flight free if you book with a certain hotel. These aren’t always the best option, so you will have to do quite a bit of research on your own to crunch the numbers.

Buy Airline Miles

Another great option? Use the miles that you have with your credit card. With your credit card rewards program, you will get access to some of the best rates available. If you don’t have enough miles, you can always buy miles and use them – which will still often be less than buying an airline ticket outright.

Look Off the Beaten Path

If you want to go somewhere that a celebrity recently traveled, you probably will have to pay more than if you are going somewhere a little bit left of center. The most popular locations will always have high price tags because there will always be people who are willing to pay it. Going one town over or looking on the outskirts of town will help you to save some money, and maybe experience something more authentic.

The most important thing to do is relax and not stress out of your vacation bookings. When you do this, there is a chance that you will make a mistake.