Taking a trip with your family over the summer provides a great way for you to bond with your loved ones, but it’s not something you can do on the spur of the moment. Taking the time to create a detailed plan for your vacation will ensure it comes off without a hitch and everyone enjoys themselves. If you’re unsure about how to start making those plans, the following brief guide can help you get started with the most important aspects of planning any trip.
Choose a Destination
It’s never too soon to start planning your family’s summer vacation, and starting to make plans now can help you lock in better rates. Before you can start reserving flights and hotel accommodations, you’ll have to agree on a destination. There’s likely to be some disagreement about where you should spend your summer vacation. If you want this to be an annual family event, you might let one family member choose the destination each year. Perhaps let the eldest child choose first, or let the child with the highest grades choose the destination. You can create your own system for choosing your destination, but it should be a process that is fair to everyone in the family.
Create a Great Itinerary
Once you have a destination in mind, you should take some time to plan the itinerary for your vacation to ensure you do the things that are important to your family. If you have chosen a tropical destination, your family may want to spend a great deal of time on the beaches. It may be a good idea to do some research on the best beaches in the area and what each location offers. Look for things your family can do during the day as well. You can use your GPS and mobile apps to help you explore places of interest in the area. This can help you save on the costs related to paying for guided tours. Ask each family member to suggest three or four activities and research each suggestion to ensure it will be safe and entertaining for everyone.
Look For the Best Deals
The biggest part of planning your trip is setting up your travel arrangements and making hotel reservations. You can find great deals when you make your reservations online. Many different sites offer vacation packages that let you bundle your flight and hotel reservations together. You may also have a credit card that offers airline rewards or other incentives on purchases. In choosing an airline, consider a luxury private jet charter. Many families opt to charter a private flight because it’s safer and more comfortable than flying a coach. You can also find charter flights that aren’t much more expensive than traditional flights. Some charters offer discounts when traveling with large groups, so be sure to ask about the incentives they offer as well.
Save on Meals and Dining
One of the biggest expenses of taking a vacation is dining and meals, but you can significantly cut those costs by planning ahead. You should pack dry snacks, such as nuts and seeds, to curb your family’s hunger during travel. If you’re driving to your destination, you can also pack a cooler that’s filled with ice, bottled water, and perishable snacks. This can help you avoid stopping at expensive fast food restaurants during your vacation. When reserving hotel rooms, look for accommodations with kitchenettes. You can do a little grocery shopping and prepare meals in your room. Once or twice a week, take your family out for dinner to experience the cultural cuisine of the area.
Get Travel Insurance
Once you have your reservations made for your vacation, you should browse for travel insurance options. This is an excellent protection for your family in case something goes awry on your trip. For example, if a natural disaster forces you to evacuate your destination city, your insurance will cover the additional expenses. You’ll also be covered if you’re forced to return home due to a death in the family. There are many other ways travel insurance will protect the financial investment you made in planning your vacation, so you should talk to an insurance agent about getting covered.
You’ll also have a better experience if you involve your family in the planning of the trip. Ask them about things they would like to do or sites they want to visit. If you have older children, consider giving them a little free time to explore on their own. This will give them the opportunity to create their own memories, and you’ll still have plenty of time to bond with them.