In planning for retirement, travel often is high priority. Those who have not traveled extensively usually underestimate costs.

June 21 marks the 2015 Summer Solstice, the official debut of summer. In the minds of most, summer activities start Memorial Day weekend. What travel adventures are on your bucket list?

Families schedule around the end and beginning of school. Those without children may wish to avoid summer crowds in places like national parks or other tourist venues. Summer heat in Europe and the Mediterranean area is best avoided in favor of September or early October travel.

For popular tours and cruises, planning for 2016 should start early. Itineraries on upscale cruise lines for Winter 2016 will fill up fast.

Where to travel? Trip Advisor lists the Top 25 cities to visit in order from number 1 to 25 as Marrakech, Morocco; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Istanbul, Turkey; Hanoi, Vietnam; Prague, Czech Republic; London, U.K.; Rome, Italy; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Paris, France; Cape Town, South Africa; New York, NY; Zermatt, Switzerland; Barcelona, Spain; Goreme, Turkey; Ubud, Indonesia; Cusco, Peru; St. Petersburg, Russia; Bangkok, Thailand; Kathmandu, Nepal (avoid currently due to earthquake activity); Athens, Greece; Budapest, Hungary; Queenstown, New Zealand; Hong Kong, China; Dubai, UAE; Sydney, Australia. This writer has visited 19 of the Top 25...6 to go! How are you coming with your list?

In advising clients, travel dreams rank high on “to do” lists. But if you say, “Someday I (we) are going to...,” you don’t have a plan, you have a fuzzy goal. Until the affirmation “I will” enters your thought pattern, you will not do it. Decide on where you want to go, get on the Internet or contact a knowledgeable travel agent, and find out what your dream trip will cost in today’s dollars. If you don’t have the funds, set up a “travel bucket” account and start saving with a specific time frame in mind...2016, 2017, etc.

In planning for retirement, travel often is high priority. Those who have not traveled extensively usually underestimate costs. One couple mentioned Ireland as a dream trip. Odysseys Unlimited, one of my favorite small group high-style tour operators, quotes a 13-day tour of Ireland at $4,458 to $4,858 per person, double occupancy, air fare included from Atlanta. Add $500 to $1,000 for incidentals. Prices vary from other gateways. An Atlanta couple may wish to budget $10,000 in round numbers for a quality trip.

A 14-day cruise from London to Rome in September on Oceania Cruise Lines (mid-sized ship, maximum 684 passengers) in a Veranda Stateroom (private balcony) is priced at $9,649 per person (double occupancy with air fare included). Your budget for such a trip would be around $21,000 plus or minus. We quote costs for example purposes only. A good travel agent can arrange for discounts and other savings.

Tour operators who include air fare have contracts with specific airlines, and you may have to make connections or take a circuitous route. You can request a “land only” quote and see how you come out if you arrange your own air. You may be able to use frequent flyer points. “Air fare included” means economy class (coach). Some operators may offer business class or first class upgrades for additional cost.

A number of airlines offer a “premium economy” section. Air France out of Atlanta on selected flights has a separate cabin with wider seats, more legroom, and added amenities on Boeing 777 aircraft. It is not the “lay flat seat” of business class but it beats “squeeze ‘em in” coach and is worth the extra fare. If you arrange your own air, you may avoid middle seats, which can happen when you go with a group. This traveler recommends traveling ahead of the group. Arrive a day or two early and rest up from jet lag. You also have padding in case of delayed flights or lost luggage.

The stronger dollar makes travel to Europe, Southern Africa, Canada, and other locations compelling. American writer Henry Miller (1891-1980) observed, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” Save, plan, go, enjoy!

Lewis Walker is President of Walker Capital Management, LLC. Certain advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Lewis Walker is a registered representative of SFA which is otherwise unaffiliated with Walker Capital Management, LLC. lewisw@theinvestmentcoach.com