What I Consider When Planning A Family Vacation

Planning family travel is so much more than where, when and how much. 

There is a lot that goes into curating a vacation that suits people of varying ages, interests, and needs. When thought is not given to these variables, the memories you hoped to make together can take a bad turn. 

Here are a few things I consider when planning travel for a family: 

You learn a lot about people when you travel together (even your kids) that you might not have noticed in day-to-day life. For example, your kid might come out of their shell when you are traveling and be open to trying new things when they are outside of their routine. Alternatively, the opposite can be true as well. A first trip can be as much about discovering new places as it is about discovering each other.  

This helps me get to the bottom of their family travel style. Sometimes we don’t know exactly what caused us to love or hate a destination but I can uncover for you whether timing, execution, or fit were factors in your past travel experiences. 

There is a lot to consider when it comes to choosing the right hotel accommodations. This is the place where you will relax and rehabilitate from a long day of travel activities – being able to get the rest you need will help ensure you get the most out of the next day. Cranky kids, moody teens, or unrested parents don’t make great travel companions. When the option is available, suites can be a great investment to ensure everyone has the space and rest they need to make the most out of their time together. 

We all want to make the most of our time off from work or school but we have to be careful not to overbook ourselves to the point we feel we need a vacation from our vacation. That is why I like to build truly restful days into any trip. This can look like a full day at home post trip where you have no pressing matters to get to so you can return to your routine rested and ready to go. Restful activities at the end of the trip such as beach days or days reserved for reading by the pool. And even making sure we ease into our vacation as to not overwhelm kids who are getting used to new sights, sounds, and people.  

This is a big one that many people who book their family vacations don’t have time to consider or do research on. This is where a travel advisor can give you your biggest return on investment. We know the local area and resort offerings and can help you find the best activities for every member of your family. Have a budding artist, scientist, or musician? I can point you toward the workshops, museums, and festivals that will take your trip from typical to memorable.  

This can range from dietary needs to mobility concerns and more. I have the contacts in destination to confirm your family’s needs are cared for just like at home. I know this can be a huge stumbling block for families that cause them to choose the familiar but by trusting a travel advisor to take some of the stress off the planning process, you can hopefully take a step outside the box and create some new memories.