♦ Step 1

What castle sites do you most wish to see - from "Must Sights' to 'Optional Sights'?

♦ Step 2

How much time are you giving yourself to see these sites? Factor in distances from one site to another site.  How many countries, states, provinces, or counties will you be traveling through or staying at?  Make MAPS your best traveling partners and planners!

♦ Step 3

Will you be traveling solo or as a couple or as a group e.g. family or friends?

♦ Step 4

What is your 'Castle Getaway Vacation Budget' - the maximum amount of currency you are willing to spend including a 15% cushion for unexpected travel expenses?

♦ Step 5

This step will require some 'internet' research:

a) What are the modes of transportation you will be using e.g. airplanes, car rental, cruise ship, private limo, taxis, helicopters?

b) Which category mix of luxury accommodation or historic accommodations will you be choosing?

c) What kind of exotic cuisines and unique eateries will satisfy your taste for a memorable dining experience?

♦ Step 6

Now using post-it notes or colored index cards to denote each site or country - what 'Activities' do you plan to do at each site or country?  Consider - Sports Activities, Castle Tours, Nature Tours, Winery Tours, Indoor Spa Treatments, Outdoor Beach Reading & Relaxing, and attendance at a locally-held annual Festival.

♦ Step 7

Add DATES to each post-it note or colored index card.  Then line them up in chronological order and review your preliminary travel itinerary alongside the map or maps you purchased in Step 2.

♦ Step 8

Do you feel that you have an exciting castle travel adventure awaiting you?  Are you able to summarize your 'Castle Getaway Vacation ' quickly?

♦ Step 9

If you still have travel concerns, what type of specialty travel assistance will you need to meet your expectations and ensure your travel adventure success? For example will you require travel insurance? Will you need a tourist visa? We soon will be listing the best travel and tourism resources here online.