7 Tips For Planning The Perfect Family Vacation

Family vacation getaways can be one of the greatest experiences in a family. Some of the best memories (and snapshots) are created during family visits to the beach, theme parks, or historical parks or museums just hanging out having fun.

Family vacations are known for bonding times but they're perhaps as equally well known for being stressful times. So, how do you make sure that those memories are all good? Here are some surprisingly simple tips for keeping your family smiling on your next family vacation.

1. First and foremost, think through your Family vacation getaway carefully.

Sara* and her husband have always taken their children to the Bahamas for a week. Two weeks before they leave, she finds out she has been laid off. They still go to the Bahamas, but with the layoff looming over their heads it just isn't the same good time.

In this economy, the number one tip is to make sure you can comfortably afford your trip - and have enough extra in case an unforeseen emergency arises. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than worrying about how you're going to pay the electric bill when you get home.

2. Don't forget; the best memories aren't about where you are, but who you're with. If you can't reasonably afford a week-long trip to the beach this year, try taking a "staycation," and going somewhere nearby. Maybe two trips a month or so apart. You'll have quality, fun time with your family, and still be able to stick to your budget.

3. Head to the internet or your local chamber of commerce to find some new ideas for planning your next trip. There are thousands of places you can go on vacation in any part of the country. Keep your mind open, and you just may be surprised at some of the places you find to go.

4. Use Vacation Packages.

Mark* always stays at the same hotel when he goes on vacation. It's pricey, but he likes the amenities and the location. One day, he's on the internet, and visits a budget travel site on a whim. He finds out he can not only save money on his trip, but can stay in a hotel that's just as nice for nearly half the price. He books the vacation package and uses the money he saved for activities he might have missed out on otherwise.

Some resorts, offer a two night family vacation package for up to four guests for less than $400 that includes a home cooked breakfast, light lunch and hearty dinner, free tea, hot chocolate, popcorn, and lemonade. They also have a five day and six night family package for just under $800 if you're looking for a longer stay.

Also don't assume that just because you're visiting an out of the way area, or staying at a small, quaint bed and breakfast that they don't offer vacation packages. You may be surprised at the convenient, cost saving offers you may find. NOTE: Not all packages are created equal, so before you commit to one, make sure to read all the fine print. Some packages have cumbersome requirements or hidden fees. If you have any question at all about an offer, call or email the offering company and have them clarify. Be sure you get the name of the person you spoke to, and keep any correspondence you get from them.

5. What about the Food Costs and What are you going to do once you get there? Is the food included? If not what will that cost you per day per person? What amenities or activities are offered? Do they cost extra? Be sure you have enough money budgeted to cover all your vacation plans. If you are on a tight budget consider an all-inclusive package so you know everything else you spend really is up to you. Be sure of course to carefully check what all is and is not included in the all-inclusive package as not all travel packages or resorts are created equal.

6. Consider a Staycation. If you've gone through all the steps, and you're just not excited about a long trip anymore, why not consider a much closer destination. Pick a hotel an hour away instead of a half a day away. Or break away from the hotel box and choose a local resort. A local resort in the next town can feel exotic when you're away from home.

Marybeth* and her family always go out of town twice a year for vacation. It's been a tough year for all of them, and cumbersome travel plans are just not looking appealing right now. After seeing a commercial on television, she decides to research her local parks and recreation, and is stunned at the number of things there are to do within an hour of her home.

Go back to your Chamber of Commerce and find information on what's available in your own backyard. Search the internet using your city to narrow down something nearby and perhaps family vacation package in.... (your local town). Visit a state park and swim or fish or camp out. Go see that museum you've always driven past but never stopped to see. Stay in that gorgeous Bed and Breakfast you've always wondered about.

7. No matter where you go or where you stay, family vacations can be some of the best times of your life. So, whether you're driving down the street or flying to an island in another country, taking a few simple steps and planning ahead can help make any trip go smoothly. Go on; get out there and start planning your next family vacation.

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Tips For Holiday Packing

You have packed your bags and prepared your house for your absence. It should be the perfect holiday. But once you arrive at your holiday destination you find you have forgotten to pack something important. That "one thing" you must have.

Nothing can be more frustrating than arriving at your holiday destination to find you have forgotten to pack necessary items. It can put a damper on your whole holiday. Fortunately, with some simple pre-planning, you can avoid this unpleasant situation.

The minute you have made your travel plans is the also the time to begin planning to pack. This does not mean you have to drag out the suitcases and start piling things in.

Once you have a trip booked you should take the time to make a packing checklist. Include everything you need to pack for the trip such as clothing, medicines, and toiletry items.You can even list items you are not sure you will need because you can edit the list at a later date.

This list is going to become your best friend as you prepare for your trip. Post the list in a conspicuous spot, maybe on the fridge or the bathroom mirror, so it is always visible. Every time you think of something you forgot to put on the list, ad it as soon as possible.

Using the list is simple. A week before your trip you should lay out all the suitcases you will be taking with you on the trip. Start at the beginning of your list and start packing. Every time you place an item in the suitcase you should mark that item off your list. If you have 10 t-shirts on your list mark 10-shirts off your list when you put them in the bag.

You will come across items you may want to pack toward the top of your suitcase or after you have packed other things. If you lay these items aside to pack for later do not mark them off your list yet.
No item should be marked off the list until it actually goes in your suitcase. In out t-shirt example above you may find you have 8 t-shirts ready for packing but must wash 2 others. Don't mark of the 10 on your list until you have packed all of them.

This packing system may seem extreme. But if you think about planning for past holidays you might remember how hectic things become and how easy it is to leave things behind, especially if you are packing for more than yourself.

You might also remember getting to your destination without some necessary items. By taking the time to make a packing list and being dedicated to marking items off as they are packed you will save yourself the regret of leaving important items at home and the expense of replacing these items at your holiday destination.

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How to Be a Green Traveler

With the summer upon us many people are finalizing their holiday plans if they haven't already done so. In these difficult financial times many are opting to stay within the UK rather than venture abroad, providing a great opportunity to get to know our own country and also reducing the need to travel by plane. For those still traveling to other shores, there are also many different ways to travel, which can in fact be an adventure in themselves.

Traveling by plane produces vast quantities of greenhouse gases, and reducing or cutting air travel out altogether can make a big difference to your carbon footprint. Especially when traveling abroad, it is easy to instantly think about flying to your destination, but there are often alternatives which will almost certainly be greener, could be cheaper and will often become part of the fun of the holiday.

Within Europe in particular there are plenty of options to travel by ferry, train or coach. The numerous UK ferry ports travel to various destinations in both northern and southern Europe with the longer journeys often a mini holiday in themselves. Once at your destination, look into train or coach travel for the remainder of your journey. Coach travel from the UK is also an option with companies offering various packages across Europe.

You can, of course, travel by train direct from the UK to mainland Europe using the Eurostar. There are all sorts of travel tickets available allowing you to work out the most cost effective and quickest (or longest if you want to take in some more scenery and locations) way to travel. With sleeper carriages on many long distance trains, you can travel in comfort with the whole family.

If you are traveling further than Europe, the options are of course more expensive and take longer, but it is worth looking into the options available as you can make the journey part of your holiday.

Whatever your travel plans this summer and beyond, do consider alternatives to flying; it will probably make a refreshing change to your traveling and will also help the environment.




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