A lot of people like to book their vacations as a vacation package where multiple parts of the vacation are purchased together, usually for a discount. Many online travel sites advertise that if you book your vacation as a package you can save up to 50% of the cost, etc. So, let's take a look at the best vacation packages:

Who you are and what your needs are will determine what your best vacation packages will be. For the family vacationing, coming up with activities, and finding places to eat with a bunch of kids can be difficult and stressful, so buying a vacation package that includes travel, food, lodging, and activities is what a best vacation package for a family would be. For an adventurous soul, having all of their activities structured and included may not be the best vacation package, just being able to wing it might be better for them, so a vacation package for them might include air and rental car, and then they would get hotels, and activities based on where they are on any given date.

So, as you can see, there is a bit of a conundrum trying to say that "this" or "that" constitutes the best vacation packages. So, let's take a look at what a vacation package typically includes, and what can qualify a package for the nomination of "best".

A typical vacation package is going to include a few things, such as flight and hotel; hotel and car rental; flight, hotel, and car rental, etc. It would not be a package if there were not multiple inclusions. However, a vacation package can include so much more than just transportation and lodging. Of course there are all-inclusive packages that include entertainment, food, lodging, transportation, etc. some even include gratuities.

But the best vacation packages are those that include the things you need most, whether that is hotel and entertainment, flight and entertainment, or all of the above.

When you buy a vacation package from an online travel site, the package typically only includes two or more of the following three things: hotel, car rental, and flight. Often times the more inclusions the better the discount, but this is not always the case.

If you book through a resort, or a travel agent, your vacation package might include some activities or meals as well as lodging, air, and rental car. Once again, the more inclusions in the package, the better the overall price, but this too is not always the case.

Let's take a look at what is not usually included in a vacation package:

• Food: Unless you take a cruise or stay at an all inclusive resort, then food is not going to be apart of a vacation package. Some vacation packages include gift certificates to restaurants, or discounts at restaurants, but not a full on inclusion of food. Most people prefer it this way as they like to eat what sounds good when they get hungry, and they want to be able to order at will, not stay within a certain price range, etc. However, for others, not having to worry about the food can be a huge relief.
• Entertainment. Some vacation packages will include event tickets, or theme park tickets, or sporting event tickets, but this is not usually the case unless you book through a specific resort known for such events. For example, if you book a package at a Disney resort, usually park tickets are included in that package deal. If you book a package where you stay at a casino in Vegas featuring a special show, usually tickets to that show are part of the deal. However, overall, entertainment is not part of packages, at least not a lot of entertainment. If you book a package for a week, you might get two or three event tickets with it, but that is not going to keep you entertained for seven days. So, plan on that expense in addition to the vacation package, or find a vacation package that includes this. Even if you take a cruise, which offers all sorts of on-board entertainment, there is the expense of the shore-excursions and activities that is not included.
• Gratuity. When you go to Hawaii, for example, you might book a vacation package that includes one event a day for the duration of your stay, a luau, a snorkel cruise, a bike ride, parasailing, etc. However, when you are out on the boat, at the luau, on the bike, etc. the tour guides are going to tell you that tips are appreciated. Most vacation packages, even those that include activities, do not include that gratuities expected. So, either find a vacation package that has gratuity included, such as some offered at the all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, etc. or plan on that additional expense. This holds true for cruising as well as on-land vacations.
• Souvenirs and photos. Believe it or not, some vacation packages include things like photos at the airport, or at the gates of the theme park, etc. However, most do not. So, if you want lasting memories through photography, plan on that yourself.

As mentioned previously, the best vacation packages are the ones that include the things you need or want most. Thus, it varies from person to person. The following are some great examples of vacation packages for some general categories of people:

Family Vacation Packages:

Adventures by Disney Vacation Packages: With Adventures by Disney, you get the whole deal, food, fun, lodging, tours, transportation. It is like one stop shopping for the best family vacation whether you want to go to Europe, Asia, or stay in the US. You get local tour guides, activities specifically geared to families, food that your kids will love, and of course world class service.

A big Island Family Vacation Package: With this package you get two guest rooms at the Fairmont Orchid, Full breakfast for four daily at The Orchid Court restaurant, and two full day Keiki Aloha programs. There is no minimum night stay requirement. All other activities, food, transportation, etc. is on your own.

Sea Island Family Vacation Package: With this family vacation package you get 4-nights luxury accommodations at The Cloister, breakfast daily, excluding room service, one 45-minute (children) or 60-minute (adult) spa treatment for each member of the family (ages 8 and up), Round-trip airport transfer, and you choice of 3 activities per stay:

• 90-minute cooking lesson with Wellness Chef
• One-hour family tennis lesson
• One-hour family horseback riding lesson
• 3-hour family salt marsh kayaking trip during pre-scheduled times with Sea Island Naturalist
• One-hour family shooting lesson at The Shooting School

If you are a solo traveler, the best vacation packages are as follows:

Anything to Vegas. It seems like travel agents can get great deals on packages to Las Vegas. Most of these vacation packages are going to include round trip flight, a standard hotel room, and a rental car. Of course, often times the hotel you stay in can get your discounts on event tickets, but buying those separate are usually a good idea. If you are a good gambler, you might even get those comped off for you.

Most solo travelers find the best deals when they book a hotel and a flight together, but leave the rental car to carrentals.com. You can get a significant rate reduction for hotels, by booking them in addition to a flight through Priceline, Orbitz, Expedia, etc. But booking your car separate will save you even more.

When you travel solo, you do not get as good a discounts because you do not get group rates, so buy your event tickets after you arrive, as you can often find coupons in the hotel lobby, etc. and that will mean a better deal than booking them as part of a package.

Anyone:

If you are looking for the best vacation packages it is a good idea to stay abreast of typical costs for flights, hotel, and activities. That way when a good deal on a vacation package comes along you can recognize it for what it is. Most travel experts agree that the best value for travel is a cruise. However, if you want to do something else, it is usually a good idea to combine hotel and flight, as you will generally get a good discount, but find activities on your own, as often you can find better deals on activities through things like smartdestinations.com go cards, or local coupons, then you can find with a package. If you simply want no hassle, look for an all-inclusive package, and then do your homework so that you know exactly what is included in the "All-inclusive" price. Most will tell you what is restricted, such as the gratuities. Or, book activities that are sponsored by the hotel or airline you are with, as that will get you a better deal. For example, if you are staying at the Hyatt in Maui, go to the Luau they have on their grounds, rather than a different hotel's luau.