I was inspired to write this post offering some travel tips for families after an interview I had with Hartyln Kids about family travel.
There are a few misconceptions out there about what travel is and what travel means. And unfortunately, the “idea” of travel is what keeps many families from doing it. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Travel is what you make of it, not someone else’s ideal. And a family that’s looking to travel, but who has felt constrained in some way, should create that experience in their own image.
In its most basic form, travel means going from one place to another. Keeping that in mind, and no matter what place you decide to travel to, here are 5 travel tips for you and your family if you’re looking to travel:
TRAVEL TIP 1:
Create a travel savings fund.
Travel is not cheap and with the economy being in its present state, it’s a luxury for many families. But even luxury took some forethought. Traveling where you want and how you want to with your family doesn’t have to be an impossibility if you plan for it.
TRAVEL TIP 2:
Develop a travel planning system and live by it.
On this site I offer a free Honey To Do List for hubby and a set of Packing List Cards for the family. In general, everyone should have their own duties and responsibilities if they’re able to walk, talk, and use the bathroom on their own.
TRAVEL TIP 3:
Embrace social media for travel.
Get to know your deal sites. Sign up for fare and price alerts via email, text message, Twitter. Like the Face Book pages of hotels, airlines, and attractions to get the inside track on upcoming events, specials, or coupons and discounts.
TRAVEL TIP 4:
Travel in your state.
Discover what your home state has to offer. We often overlook what’s right in our backyard and take it for granted. For families who can’t afford to take a Disney trip or a vacation to the Galapagos, this is a viable option because I guarantee there’s something in your state/country/local area that you never knew was there.
TRAVEL TIP 5:
Relax, be flexible, and be patient with yourself and your kids.
Traveling with young kids is not always a vacation – you’ll need to do a solo or couples trip for that. Family travel is about creating lasting memories, expanding you and your kids’ horizons, and having family fun.
Have any travel tips for families of your own that you’d like to share? Where do you want to travel next?
I love this post. I agree with you a vacation is more than just going somewhere.It really is about making memories.So many people think you have to go somewhere and travel far.When it comes down to it you can make a memory that will last a lifetime in your own state or even your own house.
Exactly – you have to “live” where you’re at. Thanks for stopping by.
Deal sites are a definite must for traveling!! A friend just got a trip to Africa for $900 – including airfare, hotel, tours, etc.
I agree with you about the deal sites Jenn. They are becoming more and more popular and the more that enter the market, the better it is for the consumer. I would caution that people are very careful and read the fine print, especially families because what may appear to be a deal may wind up costing a lot more in the long run.