Just one look at any retail store is a potent reminder that the holiday season is here. For many Iowa State students, that means it’s time to head home for break.

For most students, home is just a long — and possibly tedious — car ride away. However, for some, going home can involve extensive travel plans.

Lisa Crockett, sophomore in psychology, flew home to Washington, D.C. for Thanksgiving break.

“Every break I fly home,” Crockett said. “The only time I drive is at the beginning and end of the year to take my stuff.”

Crockett said she almost waited too long to arrange her trip home.

Tracy Kirby, travel consultant for Travel and Transport, 133 Welch Ave., said while there is no one major destination for holiday travel, it is still a busy season.

“Often students are going home for the holidays; therefore, there is a wide range of destinations,” Kirby said. “Many people travel out of the country. A lot of people go to the Middle East, Africa and the Orient.”

One student traveling out of the country this season is Jose Yeh, junior in electrical engineering. Yeh will be traveling to Bolivia, where his family lives.

“I’m leaving the Saturday after finals,” Yeh said. “I don’t go home for short breaks. This is my second year here, and [last year] I went home for December, too.”

Yeh said there are many important things to remember when traveling overseas.

“Sometimes even when I book the trip over the summer, I have trouble getting the dates I really want,” Yeh said. “Price is an important issue — you get what you pay for. If you don’t pay much, you get fewer options.”

Yeh has had his share of problems with the airlines.

“Last [December] I had booked a flight, but at the counter at the airport they said I didn’t reserve a seat,” Yeh said. “I argued with them, but they forced me to wait one day. So they paid for my stay in Des Moines.

Kirby had some advice for travelers.

“You need to plan as far in advance as possible,” Kirby said. “You need to pin down when you’re going and how long you want to stay.”

Kirby also said it’s not too early to be thinking beyond this holiday break.