Planning for family travel can be daunting. Endless doubts and uncertainties crop up in our minds. By the time we meet all of them, we may end up drained and lose enthusiasm for travel. However, traveling with a family is one of the memorable events for anyone. The holiday pics with your cute ones smudged in beach sand or posing along with the locals dressed in the local ethnic attire remain lovely memories once we look back.
With some care and proper planning, heading on travel with family can be an easy-breezy affair. Here is a step to step guide to plan a perfect family vacation that helps achieve this.
1. Choose a suitable destination
The Earth is full of travel destinations. Some are romantic, some adventurous. While some offer fun and outdoor activities, some offer serene nature exploration. But when traveling with kids, it is crucial to choose a destination that puts them at comfort. Skip tropical climates and heavy rain areas. Say no to adventure zones like scuba diving activities or hill stations with extreme weather. List top choices of travel and opt for kid-friendly places from among them.
For instance, Dinosaur Valley State Park makes an excellent choice for kids between 5-11. Similarly, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sounds perfect for families with kids aged 11-16. So, research as per the age of kids and choose kid-friendly locations.
2. Plan flexibly
Traveling on its own is a tiring task at the end of the day. Those long walks, endless shopping, and activities during the day leave us exhausted by the time we hit our hotel room at night. So, when traveling with kids, make sure not to draft a full tight schedule. Include some time for resting and re-bouncing before hitting for the next activity in the itinerary. Focus on quality vacation rather than quantity to cover up a greater number of places.
3. Pack smart
Think twice before including items in luggage. If going on long journeys in your car, pack all the beddings, strollers, and essentials with you. A sturdy Tacoma roof rack might just turn savior to make sure you can pack all the essentials. When traveling on flights or trains, consider using the baby essentials from travel desks. Most airlines and train stations contain strollers and high seats, and it might be redundant if you carry them.
As another instance, kids’ diapers are one of the highest space consuming items in luggage. A wise idea would be to order them in advance to the hotel or stay so that they are delivered when you check in there.
4. Mind the budget
It’s a beautiful idea to give a memorable vacation to the family. But be realistic when it comes to spending. Let’s say if you want to treat your family to a dream-like lunch at The Cheesecake Factory while holidaying in LA, be prepared to pay as minimum as 150USD. If such things sound heavy on the pocket, take time and research quality and affordable food and dining choices before heading out on family vacation.
5. Do not forget insurance
Carry medical insurance documents all the time when on vacation. Be it domestic travel or a trip to foreign lands; the family health insurance might help deal with unforeseen situations. Remember, medical expenses might be scary, especially if any medical emergencies crop up in foreign countries.
6. Research on hotels and accommodation
Dig deep into the internet and make a list of hotels suitable for families. With perfect family accommodation, the tiredness at the end of a hectic travel day can be eased smoothly. Besides, it might happen that travel plans might just change.
For example, due to bad weather, outdoor exploration and sightseeing might not be possible. In another case, your little one might fall sick, making it problematic to step out.
In such unforeseen situations, you might even have beautiful memories of the day at the hotel enjoying their in-house amenities.
7. Pack ample food
When traveling with infants, make sure to carry food in ample. Travel might involve delays, cancellations, and unwarranted situations. Plan carefully for such events that might trouble your babies. When traveling on flights, prepare formulae after the security check to avoid added security procedures and routines.
Carry non-leaky ready to eat foods such as biscuits and rusks, if allowed, might help satisfy kids’ hunger pangs during odd hours.
8. Check for company
Ask the help of elders, in-laws, parents, or close friends to accompany you on the trip. While they take care of the baby, you can use that time to grab Instagram pics in that favorite bikini lying in the wardrobe for a long. Besides, asking parents and in-laws to join with you helps boost the family bonds and provides the time to spend together as a family.
9. Consider health emergencies
Kids are easily prone to travel sicknesses. Blame it on the change in weather, waterborne infections, or food incompatibility, kids may complain of stomach ache or nausea while traveling. Be prepared for such situations. Carry prescriptions or medicines, as suggested by your family doctor. Make sure the kids get flu shots and other emergency necessary vaccinations. Invest in portable water purifier bottles, sanitizers, and masks to travel with peace.
10. Make reservations
Surprises might not sound lovely all the time. Flight cancellations or delays might sound as dull as a canceled trip. Be in touch with the destination’s weather and health warnings to make sure your travel plans are in place.
Double-check with the hotel for accommodation. Inform them of hygiene and special needs, if any, for kids. Plan and book tickets for sightseeing activities, concerts, or other such entries on the itinerary to avoid your family’s last-minute disappointments.
Conclusion
Travel means fun. Travel means joy. Invest in time for research and planning and amp up the fun and joy quotient for the whole family. Every minute spent planning for family travel brings memorable moments that you and your kids can cherish for the entire life.
