Growing up, my family would always take our annual vacation to one of two places – either the mountains of Vermont or to that euphoric place where all the little kids dream of going – Walt Disney World.
Our family vacations were always about re-connecting with one another. There really wasn’t a set plan for our family getaways – but as the old saying goes: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Laying out some fundamental guidelines could make a world of difference when travelling with the family.
10 Tips for a successful family vacation
Below are ten simple things that you can do to not only include everyone, but to at least get everyone excited about the family vacation. Ensuring a ‘successful’ family vacation is a big task, but with some planning, it’s easier than you think.
1. Breathing Room. This is a vacation, after all, and even though you are travelling with the family, some alone time is always required. Allow some unscheduled, free time in each day’s itinerary.
2. Smart Spending. Don’t try to cram everyone into one or two bedrooms to save a few bucks. Spend the extra money on suitable accommodations, with amenities such as kitchens and kitchenettes, so that everyone can be comfortable. Instead, budget wisely on things like food, activities, and souvenirs.
3. A Family that Plays Together Stays Together. Since the purpose of going on a family vacation is to be together, make it a point to have at least one meal or activity per day together.
4. All For One and One For All. Having everyone play a part in planning the vacation will just help everyone get the most out of it. When kids sit at the big table with mom and dad and talk about where they want to go, it brings everyone that much closer. Involve the children in planning the day’s itineraries, allowing each child one day where they get to plan the day’s activities and meals for the family.
5. Play “Outside the Box.” Make it a point to try something new that you normally wouldn’t do, especially if it means doing it with one of your loved ones. Enjoy the local cuisine for example, or try a new ride at the amusement park. If someone in your family loves golf – offer to join them or if the kids love to go down a thrilling waterslide, beat them to the front of the line.
6. Date Night. Arrange for at least one “date night” to re-group away from the kids during your family vacation. Hire a sitter through your resort or, better yet, leave them with grandma and grandpa – one of the many perks of a multi-generational vacation!
7. Play Hooky. To get more bang for your buck on your next family retreat, consider booking trips over weekdays, when rates are lower, instead of weekends. Even checking in on a Sunday and checking out on a Wednesday could save you hundreds of dollars. Also, take advantage of multi-night incentives offered during the week.
8. Point of View. To make sure the trip is documented through everyone’s perspective, arm everyone, kids included, with their own disposable cameras. When you get home, your scrapbook will be sure to include the trip’s most candid, and often, most fun moments. I personally have done this on a recent family outing and was surprised at how different some things look from a child’s point of view.
9. Stay Connected. On family vacations with everyone off doing their thing, it’s good to have walkie talkies or cell phones on hand. That way, a meeting place and time can change on the fly without anyone missing a beat. This works especially well when on a cruise.
10. Keep Things in Perspective. When things get stressful – as they typically do – and you begin to feel like you’ve had a little too much together-time, remember to appreciate that you are all healthy and financially able to vacation together.
Family is important, so make sure that your vacation is as memorable as it is fun and relaxing!
If taking a family vacation is something that is in your future, check out Dunhill Vacations Family Vacation Specials & Holiday Deals for some ideas on where to travel: http://vacations.dunhillvacations.com/family-vacation-deals .