Do you find yourself rushing out the door every morning on the way to work dragging a crying child or two and forgetting to grab your briefcase in the rush?
Start planning now to avoid this senario on your family vacation this summer.
Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, but without careful planning they can be far from stress free.
Here is a list of 10 things you should do now to insure that your family vacation this summer is as relaxing as it can be:
1. Talk to your family members about what they want to do, see, and experience this summer. You can’t please everyone during the entire trip, but knowing that they will get to do what they want to do also, makes everyone easier to get along with.
2. Make a vacation budget. Stick to the budget as closley as possible while you make your plans.
3. Contact the local tourism board and Chamber of Commerce for the cities and towns that you are interested in visiting and request information about special events that may be happening. Knowing that there will be a hot air balloon festival in one of cities on your list may make choosing your destination easier.
4. Search out coupons and discounts for the events and places you will be attending.
5. If you will be traveling to another country take some time to learn some of the language.
6. Check with your insurance carrier to see if your coverage extends to the places you will be traveling. Purchase extra insurance if necessary.
7. Schedule your annual physicals now for everyone in the family. Last minute medical procedures can make traveling difficult and putting off a needed procedure can make the trip stressful. Getting needed medical attention now can prevent last minute surprises.
8. Make sure every family member has a current, valid passport. These will soon be necessary to travel into Mexico and Canada; bettter to take care of this necessity now.
9. Inspect your luggage. Replace it or get needed repairs done.
10. If you will be traveling in a city where subways, streetcars, or elevated trains is the best way to travel, start familiarizing yourself with the routes you will need to take.
Stress free family travel involves a lot of details. Taking care of them a few at time will make your vacation much easier, more enjoyable, and much less stressful.
Smooth Sailing!
Paula Farris
P.S. For over 200 ideas on saving money on your family’s travel check out my ebook 201+ Ways to Help YOUR Family Travel on a Budget.”