Vacations are a break from your daily monotonous routine and what better way to unwindrnthan with the company of your loved ones?
Family vacations are a great time to relax and spend some quality time with your lovedrnones. These vacations are important and special, especially for the kids as they make a lot ofrncherished memories which last for a lifetime. Here are some easy tips to remember whilernplanning a vacation with your kids.
When to go?
This is the first question that needs to be addressed whenever planning a vacation withrnfamily because when going solo, the only needs to be taken care of are yours but with kids,rntheir studies, exams, the total number of holidays to apply for and n number of otherrnfactors have to be taken into account.
Best times to plan vacations are definitely are the seasonal school breaks –spring, summerrnand winter. There is no need to worry about missing out on classes and other schoolrnactivities.
You can also go to places during their off-peak season and save some extra money. Forrnexample, places in the northern hemisphere are more expensive during summers than inrnwinters, so you can take advantage and plan your perfectly economical trip during this time.
Where to go?
This is another crucial question that pops up as soon as planning for a vacation starts. Morernthe number of travellers more will be the interests and suggestions for places to go.
To address this, keep in mind that continuous long journeys can be very exhaustive and thatrnplaces with extreme climatic conditions should be avoided when travelling with kids,rnespecially when they are small. Try to accommodate everybody’s interests when deciding
where to go.
The developing countries are relatively cheaper than the developed countries. Theirrneconomic prosperity has no correlation to their touristic value. Countries like Bhutan, Nepal,rnand India etc. are known for their natural beauty, rich culture, heritage and otherrnattractions.
Create a budget
It is easier to lose track of the expenditure incurred on a trip so it is important to have anrnestimate beforehand about how much you will be spending depending upon the number ofrndays, where you are going to stay etc.
Make early arrangements
When travelling with kids, it is prudent to make early arrangements like booking earlyrntravelling tickets and hotel rooms to avail great deals, save money and avoid last minuternrush. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly while Fridays and Sundays arernthe most expensive to book flight tickets for.
Where to stay?
Vacation rentals like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO are a great way to get the local feel ofrnthe place you are visiting at an economically viable price and also can have the option ofrnself-cooking if your children are not comfortable with eating outside food. Do check forrnonline reviews and testimonials before booking your hotel/stay.
Packing all the essentials
When
travelling with family and kids, planned packing is never enough. You also have to tryrnand prepare for the unplanned. For example visiting a place like Leh-Ladakh in India wherernthe weather is highly unpredictable, carrying warm woollen clothes is a must. Similarlyrncarrying common medicines for headaches, stomach aches, nausea and the common cold isrnadvised.
Also if you are going for a trekking expedition away from the city, then you also need tornpack other essentials like mosquito repellents, raincoats, torch, batteries, power bank, dryrnpackaged food, nuts and energy drinks for quick energy refill.
Local sightseeing
It is best to hire a local travel guide or extract information from
local travel agencies aboutrnthe best places to visit locally. They have accurate information that even famous searchrnengines don’t have. Also when visiting a new land with a different language, try learning arnfew useful phrases like saying ‘hello’, ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘thank you’, asking directions for thernwashroom and ‘goodbye’. This will help you get around without any hassle.
Planning activities with your kids
Along with local sightseeing, you can plan a set of activities that will enhance the overallrnexperience of your vacation. These activities can include local bike rides, visiting museums,
art galleries and theme/adventure parks. Try the local cuisine with your kids to get them torntry something new and know about the diversity in food across regions.
Capture the trip
Click lots of pictures- not only of the big highlighting moments but also the small fleetingrnones. Months and even years after the trip these photographs will bring a smile to you andrnyour family’s face.
Buy small souvenirs like fridge magnets, cups, local handicraft etc. which symbolizes thernplaces you go to bring them back with you when you return.
Enjoy, relax and be present in the present
Last but not least, don’t forget that the core of any vacation is to relax and unwind. Try notrnto cram too much onto your ‘to-do’ list and leave out the relaxing time.
Be present in the present with whom you are travelling, your mobile phone, calls, messages and social mediarncan wait and will be for you even once you return. So make your family the number onernpriority on your list and be present with them.rnThese small moments together will make all the big differences and will bring you all closerrnas a family. So open your calendar, pick out the suitable dates and take a beat from thernchaos of life and start planning a vacation with your family today.