How to Plan a Family Vacation

By Trust Travel

Taking a vacation can do wonders for you and your family. In addition to giving you a much-needed break from the demands of work (and even improving your health), a vacation can be a special chance for the members of your family to bond together. Taking a vacation can give you the opportunity to spend quality time with your children while also letting them see a new part of the world.

List your interests as a family

What kinds of activities do the members of your family enjoy doing as a group? Do you enjoy going on hikes together, swimming, or Overseas Travel? Listing some of these on a piece of paper will help you narrow down a list of potential places.Here are some common types of places to plan a vacation: A beach. The beach has a number of obvious attractions for families. Playing in the sand and rolling waves will provide hours of entertainment for your kids while you will be able to enjoy lying in the sun with a great book. A lake. If you are in a more landlocked location, a lake can also provide an excellent water destination for your family. You can teach your children how to use a canoe or kayak while also enjoying the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake.

The mountains. If your family loves to hike and learn more about nature, a vacation in the mountains can be a wonderful opportunity to grow closer to a family.A city. If you want to experience museums, inspiring architecture, and new restaurants, then a city can be an excellent vacation destination.A cruise. A cruise can also be a great option, especially for families, since many cruises provide shows and group activities for kids.An amusement or water park. These will be a big hit with your kids, but you should make sure you will have things to do that will interest you as well.

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Define your budget

Often your budget will determine how you will pick your destination. A beach vacation in the U.S. can often be more affordable than a beach vacation in another country. Some things that you will need to budget for include: Transportation costs (airplane ticket booking, train ticket booking, or gas money). Be sure you factor in the price of a ticket for each member of your family. If you plan to rent a car or take taxis once you arrive, you should count this in as well. Accommodation. Hotels are a common option, but if you have a larger family, you might want to consider renting a house, condo or cabin.Food. You will probably have to account for the cost of eating out in a restaurant, but staying in a place with a kitchen will help you save money here. Entertainment. If you plan to attend amusement parks, shows, concerts, or museums, you will have to budget the cost of these tickets for your family.

Plan for potential dates

Summer is a popular time for a family vacation due to school schedules, but it is not the only option. Spring break and winter vacation are also good times to plan a vacation.Generally, the cheapest time of year to travel is in the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas (the two most expensive holiday travel dates). But this can be a tricky time of year for your kids, especially if they are in high school and have final exams or end-of-year activities like holiday concerts. Make sure you clear your schedule with your children’s academic calendar if you plan to travel in this period.Travel to popular destinations is cheaper when the conditions are a little less than ideal. Most places in the northern hemisphere will be most expensive during the summer. You will generally find better deals to travel to Europe in the fall or the ski slopes in the late spring because these are not the ideal times of the year to visit these places.If you plan to take your children out in the middle of the school year, be sure to plan ahead. Talk to your children’s teachers as far ahead of time as possible so your child can complete their work ahead of time.Do not plan to take your child out during a time when they have to take standardized tests. These can be very hard to reschedule for your children.

Purchase airline tickets

If you are planning on purchasing plane tickets, be sure to buy them well in advance to get the best fares. You should aim to purchase them roughly 6-8 weeks before you plan to leave. Remember that kids under two years old can fly for free, but you will have to hold them in your lap for the entire flight. Comparing prices will ensure that you find the best deal at the best time. Southwest often has competitive prices, so you can check their website for daily deals as well.Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the cheapest days to fly whereas Friday and Sunday are the most expensive. Keep in mind airline limits on luggage; most airlines limit your luggage to two checked pieces of luggage and one carry on bag per person. Encourage your children to pack lightly; the last thing you want to worry about it cumbersome luggage.

Book your accommodation

You should scout around and compare prices at different hotels. You can also find rental homes and condos on websites like VRBO, Home Away, and Airbnb. Consider various factors in your accommodation. Is it in a central location where you can walk to different things or will you need to rent a car or take a cab? Does it have a kitchen where you can prepare meals?Check the reviews for your accommodation online. Does the hotel appear to be clean and safe?You might also include booking a reservation at an all-inclusive resort. These places will generally provide all your meals and drinks in the price of your accommodation so you won’t have to leave the resort.

Build memories with your family

Ask your kids to collect memorable items from your trip such as ticket stubs, candy wrappers from their favorite sweet shop, seashells, even a little jar of dirt or sand from your favorite beach.

Source: Wikihow