Vacation planning is always part inspiration and part annoying logistics. Most people want to focus on the former — imagining all the fun and interesting things they will do and the great stories they will have to tell when they return. However, without good planning, the best vacations can turn into disasters, with lost tickets, dropped reservations, and families being stranded with no idea where to go next.

Anyone who is planning a trip to Banff is likely looking forward to spending days wandering the national parks of Alberta and some of the most breathtaking scenery Canada has to offer. They dream of spotting rare wildlife and taking the Banff Gondola for an aerial view of the region. Some may be planning to go hiking or canoeing or to explore the vast Columbia Icefield. That is all the inspiration of the trip.

The logistics are definitely more boring. They need to arrange for their flights to and from Calgary, reserve seats on the Banff airporter , and, maybe, rent a car once they are in Banff. They need to book a room at a hotel, inn, or bed & breakfast. They should check on the hours and fees for the national parks and any other attractions they plan to explore. They may want to spend some time researching shopping and dining options in the area. If they are coming from a foreign country, and that includes the USA, they will need to have a passport and appropriate customs documents for their flight.

It may seem like an awful lot of work, but if they hold on to their inspiration — the exciting trip ahead of them — the planning will be less of a chore and just another way of anticipating their trip.