No matter how exciting a vacation may be, the planning and preparation part is enough to drive you up the wall. However, taking the planning phase one step at a time can help you plan an awesome family vacation, all while retaining your sanity. Before you even start looking for a destination, make sure you and your family has their passports. Don’t panic if you can’t find them or if the dog ate them. Passport replacement services are always getting easier, so you can replace yours without having to jump through too many hoops. If you are looking to go on a vacation, there is no such thing as planning to early. Getting your flights and everything else a head of time can end up saving you a lot of money.Start with the exciting part: picking a destination. When considering where you want to go, be sure to keep in mind exactly when you’re traveling and with whom. You don’t want to take the kids to Tijuana. So look online and do a little research to see what sort of attractions are available that are fun for the entire family. Keep the weather and the season in mind when you’re planning your trip. Traveling to the Caribbean during hurricane season could be disastrous.The paperwork involved in your travel plans end up being some of the most important tools when planning a trip. If you can’t find your passport or if you have a damaged passport, be sure to renew as soon as possible, because sometimes it can take up to six weeks to process a passport request. Call the embassy in whichever country you will be traveling to and see what kind of vaccines you will need, as it varies by country. Also inquire about if you will need a visa or if you will have to pay entrance fees.Making a budget is a sure-fire way to reduce stress associated with planning a vacation. Talk with whomever you’re going to be traveling and establish just how much money you’re going to spend. An inexpensive vacation can be just as memorable as an expensive one without leaving you in the hole. Search for cheap flights and ask friends and family members where they’ve gotten the best deals in the past. There are tons of websites that offer cheap hotel, flight, and rental car packages that offer a one-stop solution to travel planning.Leave important phone numbers and a copy of your itinerary with a family member or friend if you’re going to be gone for a long period of time. Also leave this information with babysitters, pet sitters, and house sitters so they can always reach you. Refill any prescriptions and have enough medication for those who need it for the trip.