Hello there! So you're interested in traveling! It's a fine thing, and you don't have to wait until you are an old man or old lady to do it. You can begin right now by saving a portion of your butter and egg money and before you know it, you'll have enough to go on that power vacation. It may take 2 or 3 years but that's all there is to it, no kidding. You simply must want to do it and plan for it.
Here are a few things you need to know to begin:

● You must obtain a passport. You can get the forms at any larger US Post Office.

● Many countries require an "entry visa." For most, you can visit their website online and take care of that.

● Unless you plan to go really exotic, you shouldn't have to worry with special vaccinations.

● You'll need plane tickets. Cruise the internet travel sites to find your best deal. By the time you are ready for the big leap, you'll know what to do, if you have done your homework well.

● You need a plan: If you are not up to it, have the most expensive travel specialist you can find to tell you where to go and what to do. Otherwise, do your own research and decide what YOU want to do, where, and when. At the very least, by doing your own thinking, you can tell when the expensive travel specialist is jerking you around. Something to think about.

I believe planning for the Vacation of a Lifetime is almost as exciting as doing the Vacation of a Lifetime. Here is my argument for taking the ball into your own hands...
If you are used to having other people do everything for you, or must have instant gratification, a top level cookie cutter travel agency is the way to go. They have already thought everything out for you. The downside is that this will cost more in more ways than the obvious. That smiling service is not free, my friend.
By the same token, an independent travel agency may give you more bang for your buck, but they are probably hooked up in subtle or not so subtle ways with the big organizations anyway, so it really boils down to the same thing.
Where you really shine is when you deal directly with the local companies where you plan to go. It's not as safe, secure, and dull as the other choices, but by and large, again, if you do your homework, you'll be able in most cases to see who is legit and who is not. For example, most travel companies in other countries are accredited by their country to be in business. They are proud of this, since they are paying handsomely for it and you'll be able to check up on them.

Two examples of in-country agencies:
● Incoming Free Travel Brochure: This is a larger in-country company that makes package tours with...
● Receptive Agencies: A local company in your choice country that conducts local tours.

You want to hook up with an Incoming Operator or if you are especially adventurous, deal directly with the local receptive. In the end, it is the receptive that makes your vacation work by providing local tours, accommodations, and backup.
Here is how you get that bang for your buck...though you may not necessarily save money. And, since it's your Vacation of a Lifetime, money should not be your first consideration anyway.
Ok, you decide to go with the "Very Large Vacation Agency" here in the good old USA. They set up your vacation through an Incoming Operator or directly with the Receptive. The price for the ground portion of your vacation, say, is $500. By the time everybody gets their cut, something must go. Chances are that you, being a beginner, and not very bright in the process, won't even notice what you're missing. In this scenario, what happens is that the Receptive, who offers 10 tour options for say, $100, reduces your tours to 5 when their cut is only $50. Makes sense, doesn't it?
The point I'm making is that for the money, you can get much more from that local receptive if you deal directly with them. Cut out the middleman, as they say. Pay the $100 directly and get it all.
Through diligent study of your chosen vacation spot, you can get the most bang for your buck.
The keyword, "travel" is and has been the #1 search term on the Internet since it began...by far the largest. It's one area where the net really shines, and by using the vast resources at your fingertips, email and the like, you can make your arrangements yourself and have all the fun doing it...and learn something in the process. Your vacation will be far far richer for your effort.
A final note. I made references to the helpless among us. This isn't you, my friend, else you would not be here reading along. You will do very well in your travels. I'm sure of it!
Mr. Morrison operated BrazilAmerica.com for four years which was the internet portion of an incoming tour operator in Brazil.

Click to visit BrazilAmerica.com for ALL your Brazil Travel!