Planning a vacation on a budget? These expert tips will show you where to save, where to splurge, and exactly how to turn that dream vacation into a reality — one step at a time.

1. Choose a location (rationally). Think of the top five places that you would visit in the world, then narrow it down to just one place by considering what’s most important to you. For example, if you’re looking for adventure, a sleepy coastal village may not be the best choice.
2. Determine your budget. You’ve likely already saved up some money to put toward your vacation, but ask yourself honestly how much you’re comfortable spending. Factor in airline costs, lodging, and day-to-day expenses.
3. Choose when to go. Now that you have a budget and a location, do some research about when that destination is the most affordable. Be cautious, however; while you don’t want to go at the peak of tourist season, you also don’t want to go too far into the off-season when many local businesses are closed.
4. Find affordable airline tickets. Because this is usually the most expensive part of any international trip, you want to be very smart about your plane tickets. Check travel comparison several times throughout the week to find the best rates, and don’t forget to look into smaller carriers.
5. Book lodging. Save this for last, as there are usually a wide variety of places from budget hostels to luxury resorts where you can rest your head.

How to Plan a Vacation [WikiHow]
How to Plan Your Dream Vacation [USA Today]
How to Plan Your Next Vacation in One Breezy Sitting [Mashable]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Kat