Contemplating a family vacation? If you are ready to roll, here are five ideas to consider:
- 1. Invest in proper planning
Planning a vacation takes time, knowledge, patience and perseverance. In an era of rising prices, changing global dynamics and a continuing expansion of travel options, the process can be mind-boggling.
This is where a travel agent can become a valuable member of your family’s travel planning team. The pros are up to date on the latest cruise, resort, airline and destination information as well as documentation requirements and health-related recommendations.
They understand different kinds of travel insurance and can make knowledge and experience-based recommendations. A good agent will get to know your family’s needs, discuss budgets, bucket lists and offer suggestions for trips that fit your current comfort levels and interests. Then, they’ll use their experience and skills to make even the most complicated itinerary your vacation reality.
For more: www.Virtuoso.com
Some family members thrive on routine, and travel can mess with the order of things. Lost luggage? No problem. If you’ve stashed medical necessities, proper documents and perhaps a change of clothes into your carry-ons, it’s all good.
Buy what might be crucial (and get reimbursed by your airline or through your travel insurance). Then focus on what you do have. You and the gang will quickly learn that less is more. With fewer choices and a lightened load, there will be more time to enjoy the adventures at hand.
And when it rains on your beach vacation or the wind howls during a camping trip, it is a great time to look for the alternate opportunity. Search for seashells without fear of a sunburn. Break out the board games or learn a new card trick. Campers can stow the tent in the back of the car and check into a hotel with a great indoor pool.
Stay flexible. Be creative. And uncover what is possible. Often, the pesky mishaps are the moments that become family lore and are cheerily recounted year after year.
- 3. A family vacation doesn’t have to break the bank
Part of the holiday mindset includes saying no to checking work email, text messages or taking distracting calls. For a week or just a weekend, agree to make family the focus.
Visit a new restaurant, go to a ballgame, take a long bike ride or play board games at home. Museums, festivals, lectures, parks, concerts, farmer’s markets and libraries are all sources of family fun where the admission is often gratis. Check local web sites and create your no-cost itinerary for the length of your “vacation.” Look for online sources of self-guided walks or history tours and enjoy the discovery.
You might also consider teaming up with a friend or family member in a nearby neighborhood who is willing to join in the fun by trading houses. Think about it: new toys in the closet, bikes in the garage, playsets in the back yard and cereal in the cupboard. (Agree up front on what is included in the deal.) Trade information about local walking paths, parks, museums, restaurants and movie theaters. Then enjoy the new view.
- 4. Embrace remote living and learning
Why not incorporate travel into your family’s educational plan? With more families learning and working remotely, zero in on destinations and lodging options that can maximize your current lifestyle.
Are you interested in boosting the year’s planned curriculum by adding literary or historical sites to your travel itineraries? Do you want more art, music and theater in the mix? Consider crafting a week, month, summer or multiyear plan that marries your family’s educational goals with your evolving lifestyle and love of travel.
- 5. Know that travel builds character
Travel provides parents and grandparents the opportunity to model what matters most. Will you exhibit patience when the line snakes around the corner, your hotel room is not ready, or the restaurant server accidentally spills a drink on your table?
Delayed flights, weather changes, poor service or a rocky road help all of us learn to live in the moment, share resources, manage unexpected consequences and see the bright side of the occasional travel mishap. How adults respond to challenging scenarios will influence young adventurers.
