A frequent dilemma of travelers these days is how to go about choosing a vacation. Not just any vacation, but a vacation that gives them the most value for their dollar and gets them as far away from home for as long as possible while staying in their budget. While this wish list of items is all right to have, too many travelers work themselves into a frenzy by focusing too much on getting the lowest price.

A better approach is to think first about what you want to do on your vacation. This will in turn help you decide where you should go. It sounds simple, but it is amazing how many people first choose a destination before understanding what the location can offer. If you want to go sailing, think Annapolis, Maryland. If you want a sports vacation, think Baltimore or New York City. If you want history, think Washington, DC. For beaches, think coastal Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. If you want hunting or wildlife adventures, think West Virginia.

When you have thought about what you want to do, and where you want to go falls in place, you can rest assured that wherever you go will have activities and attractions that interest you. If you go to West Virginia, for example, for a fishing vacation, there will also be theater and shopping nearby. You need not worry that wherever you choose to go will not have enough for you to do. In fact, if a vacation is supposed to be about getting away from it all, why leave one fast-paced schedule at home only to envelop yourself in another while you are away.

After settling on a destination, the next issue becomes price. When you sit down to compare prices, be sure to keep in mind those activities you had clearly defined as what you wanted to do during your trip. Do you really need the hotel connected to the 18-hole golf course if you never plan to tee off? Sure, it may be a great hotel, but you will be paying for the golf course if you stay there, whether you use it or not.

A better use of your dollar might be to stay at a cheaper hotel and use the savings to extend your trip by another day or two. You might also take the extra savings and use it to fund a side trip to a nearby city. A trip to Philadelphia could now include a fun side excursion to Delaware.

Choosing a vacation does not have to be a hair splitting exercise. Just choose what you want to do while on vacation, think about where you can go to do those activities, then find the best travel package that gives you what you are looking for. It's simple, and it works.