It’s not often that you’re able to take time off from work and other responsibilities to spend with your family. Since such occasions are far and few in between, making sure it is filled with fun and entertainment is at the top of your list. Whether you’re on a budget or money isn’t an object, mapping out your trip will reduce the stress and ensure that each moment is enjoyable. Without further ado, here are the steps you’ll want to take when planning a getaway with loved ones.
Choose a Destination
Before you can get into the specifics of planning a vacation, you need to know where you’re going. There are a lot of fun places to visit, and where you go, will depend on your budget, schedule, and personal interests.
If you don’t have any ideas of where you’d like to go, you can always search the internet to locate the best family attractions in the US. They may list locations like Hilton Head, SC, San Diego, CA, Orlando, FL, and Washington, D.C.
Find Affordable Accommodations
Now that you know where you’ll be spending your time, you’ll need to find the best living accommodations. Not only should your accommodations be affordable, but it should also be convenient by providing you with the right amenities to enjoy your trip.
If you have a large family and have chosen to stay in Hilton Head, SC, you may consider Hilton Head vacation rentals instead of a standard hotel. Designed for extended stays, such rentals have several bedrooms, bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and additional rooms like a living room and outdoor deck or pool.
Determine What You’ll Do
While you might enjoy swimming in the pool or lounging on the deck in your vacation rental, you’re going to want to venture out at some point. That’s when it’s great to have an itinerary or list of things to do and see.
Based on where you’ll be staying, search for the best tourist attractions and upcoming events you might be interested in. You might also research the best places to shop and dine. Purchase tickets and passes ahead of time, and be sure to upload directions to the destinations so you don’t get lost.
Time to Pack
You’ve gotten all the specifics about your family vacation planned. Now, all you need to do is get packed. When traveling as a family, whether by car or plane, packing lightly is ideal. To try and get your belongings into one carry on bag each and perhaps one more piece of luggage, consider these packing tips:
- Pack articles of clothing that can be paired with anything. For example, black pants or a pair of jeans can be paired with several shirts to make different outfits.
- Try to pack light on shoes too by either packing one pair that matches everything or by packing shoes like flip flops and sandals which can easily fit into the bag.
- Roll, don’t fold your clothes to get more space.
- Skip the toiletries and just purchase affordable ones while you’re there or use the complimentary ones left by the hotel.
Keep the Kids Entertained
Though your plans are to have fun while on vacation, getting there can take some time. When you’re traveling with toddlers or young children, you’ll be doing yourself an injustice if you don’t plan entertainment for the road. To keep the kids from killing each other from boredom and anxiety, consider these quick tips:
- Pack their favorite toys or books
- Charge up devices the night before and download entertaining games and movies
- Pack healthy but quick snacks in case they get hungry
Family vacations are supposed to be stress-free, fun time with the ones you love. By planning your trip ahead of time, you reduce the stress, save money, and most importantly, ensure that everyone has a good time. Now that your trip is planned, your bags are packed, and the kids are well entertained, all that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy your time together.
