Did you enjoy your last summer vacation?  Did your hotel tick all of the boxes?  Could you do what you wanted, when you wanted, eat sleep and drink when you want?  Possibly you did, but could it have been better?  What's stopping you from booking your next holiday directly and making all of the arrangements yourself? Well for most people, fear is the big factor stopping them making their own arrangements.
 Crazy I know, but true.
 So what should you do to make a holiday perfect and hassle free?   First of all, start off with flights.
 The flight business on the internet is growing rapidly.
 Searching for flights has become easier and easier and the price comparison sites now do a fantastic job of plotting flight prices against each other.
  Now the question you should ask is do I need guarantees?  Budget firms do a great job of getting you to and from a destination for a great price.
 But what if it goes wrong?  Let's face it, we hear more and more stories of travel firms going into administration and people losing their money or being stranded in a foreign country.
 But don't think that it's just the people who book the holidays themselves that this happens to - no no no, it also happens to the package tour operators.
  So what if it does go wrong?  What do I do?  Well this is where you offset flight prices against security.
 If you need reassurance that you will have compensation or a definite flight home, then you need to make sure that your flight operator is part of the ATOL scheme.
 This way you have some recourse and points of contact when you need them.
The bad news of course is that you'll pay more for it.
 Think it over, and decide what is the most important to you!   And now for your accommodation.
 First of all, make sure that you use a good quality website that allows you to search for holiday homes.
 Set your criteria carefully and then make your initial enquiries.
 Initial enquiries are fine by email or website contact forms.
 This is your introduction to the property owners.
 In this initial contact, always ask about availability and of course a price.
The owners will then come hopefully come back to you.
 At this stage, before you book, firm EVERYTHING up in writing.
 Ask for a confirmed TOTAL price (inclusive of all extras) and confirm that your chosen holiday villas, holiday apartments or other holiday accommodation are available at the time you want them.
 Get your reply in print, and make sure you have a hard copy.
 At this stage you can now pay a deposit.
 I wouldn't recommend paying in full at this stage.
 Always make sure that you ask for, and receive, a receipt for any monies paid.
 However, it is advisable to make verbal contact before paying anything.
 That way you know that you are dealing with a real person, and not being misled.
 Holiday Rentals websites will not take any liability for any losses that you incur,  and by speaking to people you'll get a much better feeling that you're doing the right (or wrong) thing.
  So you now have all of your confirmations in place, you're OK to proceed further.
 Agree a payment schedule with the property owner and make arrangements for receiving keys, paying bonds, linen and towels and how to settle the final bill.
 Then a week before you get set to go, make another confirmation phone call and review all of your arrangements.
That's pretty much it!  It's very straightforward!  Go on, get booking and enjoy your next holiday!