Once the school year is done and summer arrives it will be time to embark on our family vacation for 2012. Last year our family took a trip to Daytona Beach, FL and had a wonderful time, and there has been discussion about going back for our next vacation. I would like us to go to a new destination for a new experience, so here is how I will research and plan for our family vacation in 2012.
Getting Opinions
Talking with friends about their vacations is actually a great way to hear about new ideas for trips, the pros and cons of their experience, and the activities they enjoyed. For example, several friends told me suggestions to keep in mind about rides, using Fast Passes, and eating at Magic Kingdom in Disney World during our trip last year. Getting information from friends can be a valuable tool when planning for your own trip.
AAA
We are members of AAA and they frequently have vacation specials and deals. Though I don’t check out every deal that is available, I do check the details on the vacation packages that would suit our family and keep them in mind. AAA has a broad range of vacation spots, as well as discounts available at retailers to help keep costs down for traveling. To learn more about AAA, click here.
Season
When I mention season for consideration, I am talking about weather and local activities. For example, when I was looking at a time frame for our family vacation to Daytona Beach last year, I looked at the city calendar to see what large events were occurring. I made sure not to schedule our vacation during a huge NASCAR event or during biker week. I also made sure it wasn’t hurricane season when we were planning to be in Daytona Beach.
Groupon and Living Social
I signed up for these two sites for their local deals and they both now feature travel deals for vacations. I have had success with purchasing deals for things such as horseback riding lessons, hair salons, rounds of golf, and restaurants. I always read the fine print and all of the details on each offer before I purchase. I would hope that if I find a vacation package from Groupon or Living Social it would be just as reputable, so I will keep these two sites in mind when planning for vacation.
Magazines
Two of my favorite magazines that give first-person accounts of family vacations are Family Fun and Parenting. They both have articles from writers reflecting on experiences, prices, perks, activities, restaurants and accommodations from their own families that vacation in a variety of locations. I can us this information in making a decision on where our destination will be and have a reference to activities we would enjoy.
All of these sources will be valuable as I plan for our family vacation in 2012. Even though I know we’d enjoy the beach again I would love to see the mountains in Colorado or go to the East coast, as my kids have not been to either – yet.
Sources:
http://www.aaa.com/aaa/sem/sem.htm?redirectto=http://www.aaa.com/?area=JoinSEM2&skin=JoinSEM
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8187819/first_person_best_summer_vacation_2011.html?cat=16
http://www.groupon.com/louisville/?utm_campaign=Search&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_term=groupon.
http://livingsocial.com/deals/122837-vaser-cellulite-treatment
http://familyfun.go.com/magazine/
http://www.parenting.com/