Once you’ve figured out what you want to gain from your vacation and picked where you want to go, learning more about that destination can be the most fun part of travel planning. Research what the weather is like throughout the year, talk with family and friends who have traveled there, start to identify things you want to see or do, find out what kind of transportation is available once you get there, and familiarize yourself with the customs and culture.

Your budget is another important consideration when traveling internationally. Some destinations may be tourist hotspots, which means everything from airfare to accommodations can be more expensive. You can save some money by traveling during the offseason or shoulder season, searching for flights to different airports, being flexible with your dates if schedules allow it, booking your cruise or flight during “off season,” or looking for family-friendly all-inclusive resorts.