For most of us, there is great joy in planning a vacation - the anticipation and research can be thrilling, but it can also be a little overwhelming.  With the summer travel season in full swing, there are countless insider tricks and tips travelers should arm themselves with to guarantee a smooth vacation experience, and most importantly, maximize savings. Travel Expert Sarah Gavin shares her tips to help us find those deals and make the most of our remaining summer vacation time.

MThere are many reasons to visit Stratford - the legendary theatre (of course!), the incredible culinary scene, the arts, the beautiful setting, and the kind and interesting people who live there.

For whatever reasons you're visiting Stratford, there's ONE thing you need to do first. We did, and it informed and influenced our entire visit.

Belize - gorgeous waters, perfect for diving and snorkeling; ancient ruins; rainforests and caves; the tallest waterfall in Central America; wildlife and marinelife; and a deep culture that entices you to explore more deeply. Affectionately called "The Jewel" by locals, this is a destination worth exploring.  I recently read Moon Guides Belize, by Lebawit Lily Girma, and let me tell you - I'm impressed.

Travelling with an older family member can be a great experience, particularly when it is a trip that you all have wanted to do for some time. Although travelling with older people might not necessarily consist of mountain trekking, scuba diving, or a whole list of extreme sports, it can be a really fun time, especially on an inter-generational trip with their grandkids. However, if you are travelling with older people, you might have to think more carefully about what you need to pack.

In graduate school, a friend of mine had just returned from studying in Malaysia for a year. Her stories of the culture, food, and living there entranced me (yes, even the durian). Since then, I advise study abroad students who want a unique experience to look at programs in Malaysia (you included!).

Mexico’s famed Riviera Maya – a long stretch of land along Highway 307 in the state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula – is much more than tourism in Cancun. It’s a perfect place for adventurers, families, history buffs, divers, ecologists, foodies, and luxury travelers.

 5 surprising things about Riviera Maya

You’re investing a great deal of time, energy, and money preparing for your study abroad journey – and it seems that the list of things to do and buy still is endless. But it doesn’t have to be that way – and it doesn’t have to cost that much.