Are you planning a family vacation? This task is one of the most important of your whole year. Most families only get one vacation a year. The anticipation and expectations will be high. No worries. Good planning and cooperation can make your family vacation hassle free.
Establish a budget before you start and stick to it. You don’t want to come home broke because you will need to start saving for next years vacation as soon as you get home. Budget categories are : transportation, lodging, food, activities, etc.
If you have a tight budget and are fairly new to family vacations, stick closer to home. A two to six hour drive is more conveinent and economical than commercial transportation.
Get the whole family involved in the planning by having them contribute their suggestions. Ask them what activities do they think are important to them. Activity categories are : relaxation, adventure, rest, learning, culture, sports, nature, recreation, arts, fun, etc. By being involved, they will share responsibility in making the vacation go well. Thank them for their ideas and remind them to respect the ideas of the other family members.
Choose well established lodging that caters to vacationers. They will usually have amenities and restaurants close by that will make life easier for all. A pool for fun and relaxation. A coffee shop to escape and read a book. Research the reviews to get an idea of what staying there will be like.
Planning activities is easy. Planning meals can be difficult for a family. Research all the dining choices to, from, and at your destination. Again, get the family involved in the choices to curtail complaining. Avoid busy times at restaurants such as noon to one and five to seven o’clock. Also research the nearest grocery stores at your destination so you can buy snacks and beverages to have on hand.
My favorite rule of a hassle free family vacation is to come home one or two days before you have to go back to work. You really need a vacation after your vacation.