One of the easiest and best ways to plan any type of trip, is to do so online. You have endless resources and a wealth of information at your disposal, 24 hours of the day. Whether you are researching train routes in Spain or need to find a vegetarian restaurant in Italy, you can be your own travel agent and find it all online.
The internet itself is a technology marvel -- so there aren't even words to describe how the integration of certain websites and search engines put the power of planning a 21 day trek across Europe at your fingertips. The internet not only provides you with the convenience and ease of planning and, of course, customizing any type of trip from start to finish, but it also saves you money. There are dozens of "trip booking" websites out there that offer sales, specials and discounts at any given time. For example, for quite some time one well known travel website has been offering a no strings attached and no black out dates $200 off coupon for any 6 night trip booked through them. That's $200 right off the top of your trip by booking it online. Other sites are currently running anywhere from 10% - 25% off specials so if you are booking a particularly expensive trip, that 10% - 25% can be huge savings. Online travel planning sites also offer discounts for booking your hotel and your flight together versus separately. Imagine a discount for doing something that already provides a super convenient service to you. How can you beat that?
Planning your vacation online also allows you to do as much, nor as little, research as you like on any aspect of your trip. It also easily allows you to comparison shop to see where and how you can get the best deal. You may have wanted to go to Aruba for your summer vacation but after some online research you discover that several hotels in Anguilla are having huge sales during that time, and you would save 50% by going to that particular Caribbean island versus the other.
Online travel planning also allows you to find out government travel requirements and restrictions as well as very specific, local information about your intended destination(s). You can even renew your passport online! From checking out pictures of your hotel's bathrooms to booking a private driver for an excursion in Jamaica, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home, with a simple click of the mouse. Happy travels!