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Tips for a Great Family Getaway

Take a step back and make sure that you have some idea as to what you’re planning on doing and how you plan on doing it before you bring the family out for your next vacation. A little bit of planning can be the difference between making or breaking your next family outing.

Author: Rich Gonzalez
Date: Jan 7, 2010 - 4:00:24 PM

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Growing up, my family would always take our annual vacation to one of two places –either the mountains of Vermont or to that euphoria place where all the little kids dream of going – Walt Disney World.

 

Aside from the one time that two families rented an RV and discovered the United States together, our family vacation was filled with 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 guide lines could make a world of difference when traveling with the family.

 

Below are eleven 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 wide scope, but with some planning that scope becomes a little bit smaller.

 

1. Breathing room.   This is a vacation, after all, and even though you are traveling with the family, some alone time is defiantly 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 and instead budget wisely on things like food, activities and souvenirs.

 

3. The family that plays together stays together.   Since the point of taking 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 be a part of the planning of a 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.

 

5. Who’s the boss?   This could be a second point to #4 - Involve the children in planning the days’ itineraries.   Perhaps give each child one day where they get to pick the recreational activity and lunch option for the family.

 

6. 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.   Enjoying the local cuisine for example, or taking in 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.

7. Two words: 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-gen vacation!

 

8. 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 simply 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.

 

9. 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 one a recent family outing and was surprised at how different something looks from a child’s point of view.

 

10.   Stay connected.   With the technology that is popping up everywhere, it easier now then ever before to keep connected.   And on family vacations with everyone off doing their thing, this technology is perfect to have on hand.   Bring along walkie talkies and pass them out to your groups.   That way, a meeting place and time can change on the fly without anyone missing a beat.   This works especially well if on a cruise.

 

11.   Keep it 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.

 

Your family is the most important thing – so make sure that your vacation is as memorable as it is fun and relaxing.   Incorporate other tips and planning before you venture out with your loved ones.

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.

View all articles by Rich Gonzalez

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