October 24, 2009

Family Vacation : Family Vacation Time - 10 Tips to Help Plan the Perfect Family Vacation

Family Vacation

Summer is fast approaching. And when summer time comes around, school will soon be out and the kids will be stuck at home, bored stiff. They will endlessly ask for things to do so be prepared with a really long list. Better yet, why not go on a family vacation? Summer is definitely the best time to go on a vacation and have quality family fun.

Don't be scared of the seeming numerous things that you have to do and prepare before you can actually go. Let this article help you from the planning, choosing the places to go and do, and the things that you have to pack with you. Stress be gone - its for you to get excited.

For starters, think about where you want to go and what you want to do. Don't forget to consider your budget, of course, because everything pretty much relies on how much you are willing to spend. To make everything more fun and exciting for everyone, you should involve your kids with the planning. Find out their interests and what activities they enjoy doing. If they're old enough to read, you can look at brochures together. If you're dealing with toddlers, you can try showing them pictures of the places you're thinking of going. Making them involved will up the anticipation and they'll definitely look forward to your family vacation.

Here are a few suggestions on where to go and what to do:

1. Theme Parks - it's great to go to theme parks because the entire day slips by so fast. You're not left to worry what to do next because there's never a dull moment in theme parks. The best part is you don't have to go anywhere else. It's a one-stop-shop. Some theme parks are even so big that you wouldn't get to see and experience everything in a day.

2. Water Parks - When the temperature's soaring, you need to cool down. What's the best thing to do? Head to where the water is! What's great about water parks is that they give your usual swimming-by-the-pool a twist - literally. They have slides of different heights, water falls, waves, and geysers. It's a fun way of beating the summer heat.

3. Beaches - no matter which beach you choose, the kids will love to play in the sand and swim in the waves. So if your budget is tight, you don't have to go to fancy resorts. Just head to the beach and soak up the sun.

4. City Tours - go somewhere you've never gone to before. If you've got kids who already go to school, ask them which city they want to go to that they've taken up in school. There are lots of great cities around and each one is welcoming you to do a little sightseeing and experience their local hospitality. Historical cities are your best bets because of their educational value. Most cities also have museums for kids that they'll love to roam around in. And don't forget to taste their local dishes.

5. The Great Outdoors - are you in for a nature trip? The Great Outdoors is the best place to teach your kids to appreciate flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Depending on how adventurous your family is, you can check adventure companies for packages designed for families. If you want to do it on your own, you can always check out National Parks. You can go hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, canoeing, or kayaking.

6. Other Side of the World - if your budget permits, why not go on a family travel to other parts of the globe? Your kids would sure love to experience firsthand the places they only read in books and learn from school. It's like going on a city tour on a larger scale. Just be sure to secure the necessary documents for travels abroad.

7. Train Tours - Hop on the tourist express and explore different places while on the railway. Some tourist trains even transform themselves for holidays and special occasions. Maybe you'll get to go on a special trip.

Upon reaching a decision on where to go and what to do on your family vacation, you're probably thinking what's next? You can try having a dry-run. Especially for families who've decided to go on a nature trip, you might want to stretch those muscles to prepare for the outdoors. If you've signed up for a hiking trip, you might want to start the kids with walking short distances, then on to longer ones, so that they would be up for your adventure.

It would also be a great idea to read up on your destination. You can engage the kids in a little reading time by going through brochures or books about the place or places you'll be seeing. It will pique their interest on the upcoming trip and at the same time, educate them all the more. If you have older kids, they can go online for more information.

When packing clothes for your trip, consider the weather or climate in the place or places you're visiting. Take note if you need waterproof clothing or airy, breathable pieces. If you're going on an outdoors adventure, better be equipped with the proper gear and gadgets.

Among the most important things that you should take with are the following:

1. First Aid Kit - there are ready first aid kits available in the market. You can easily grab one. But just in case you would like to make your own first aid kit, there are first aid kit lists online for your perusal and/or printing.

2. Medications - this could refer to vitamins, antihistamines, anti-asthma, or medicines for daily maintenance. Do not rely on the medicine's availability in the place where you are going. It's better to be prepared than sorry. Also, include bug spray and other insect repellents to your kit.

3. Extra eyeglasses - this is especially important to those who are blind as a bat without their glasses on. You never know what incidents may happen, so it's better to take your extra pair with you since you're never sure if there's an eye doctor who can immediately produce one for you where you are going.

Other things that you may also want to bring are photocopies of important documents such as driver's licenses, passports, and significant phone numbers. If you're traveling to exotic places, don't forget to consider taking vaccinations. Also, pay attention to travel advisories given by the authorities.

Visit Varezo for more information on Family Vacation Planning. If you want access to a ton of free vacation information, then visit Vacation Planning Resources.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Varezo


Family Vacation : How to Turn a Family Vacation Into a "Eureka!" Moment - The Ultimate Vacation Planning Opportunity

Family Vacation

Just because you're going on vacation with your family doesn't mean that young minds have to go to sleep, and loose their sharpness. A well-planned vacation can be packed with exciting activities to stimulate your child's mind. This is the ultimate vacation planning opportunity, a chance to bond with your kids, and celebrate the learning experience together.

Even a vacation to the beach can awaken in your youngster a range of interests that could lead to truly rewarding careers in biology, bio-physics, astronomy, language, writing, and who know what else...

Most kids complain that school is boring, so why not use your vacation time to awaken their potential. For example lets see how we could turn a Caribbean vacation into a life changing "Eureka!" moment: Instead of planning to spend every day at the beach, use some of this time to explore topics that will awaken the sleeping giant of possibility dormant within your little genius.

For starters consider Caribbean islands like Trinidad and Tobago when planning your vacation, islands that offer more than just pretty beaches and blue seas. Islands where your child's interest in biology could lead you to investigate the numerous species of bird and animal life that are easily accessed in the tropical rain forests, swamps and marshlands of Trinidad and Tobago.

Fostering Your Child's Interest in Biology

Consider a trip to Tamana Bat Caves to experience first hand tens of thousands of bats, a plethora of species including vampire bats, exiting the hidden depths of the earth as they journey forth each evening on their nightly food gathering and hunting forays. Or...

Consider a kayaking adventure into the Nariva Swamp and Bush-Bush Nature Reserve for a face-to-face encounter with an endangered West Indian Manatee, or sea cow. Or a nighttime adventure with giant leather-back sea turtles, dinosaurs of the deep that have been laying their eggs on beaches since the dawn of time. Or go turtle watching when the babies of these lumbering sea giants make their way into the blue Caribbean Sea to begin their own adventures.

Or perhaps simply exploring the tropical gardens of your Trinidad and Tobago hotel to find the minuscule tropical tree frogs whose nightly serenades fill Caribbean night with their song might spark your child's interest in biology.

Fostering Your Child's Interest in History

An interest in history could be sparked by examining Caribbean Pirates and adventurous like Sir Walter Raleigh, and searching out some of the many old colonial forts of Tobago, visiting such romantically named beaches as Pirates, Bloody and Man-O-War Bays, and discovering how these early Caribbean explorers lived.

Fostering Your Child's Interest in Cooking

An interest in cooking could develop after discovering the unusual candies enjoyed by children in Trinidad and Tobago. Candies, or sweets as the are called locally, like Sour-Sweet, which turns your turns blood red; Tamarind Balls, made from the tart fruit of Tamarind trees mixed with cane sugar, or Chinese sweet-and-salt plums, and a range of other delights that even you might find excitingly enjoyable. So...

These are just a few ideas but with an open mind, a little forethought and some preplanning you can keep your kids occupied with educational activities, which they won't even recognize as teaching opportunities because they were having so much fun.

Caribbean family vacations, such as these, become investments in your family's future as much as they do memorable adventures.

Escape with your kids, and learn a thing or two in the bargain...

For more information about exotic miniature tropical tree frogs visit http://www.amazing-trinidad-vacations.com/tree-frogs.html, and for old colonial forts and a range of other exciting possibilities visit http://www.amazing-trinidad-vacations.com/colonial-forts.html.

Edwin Johnson is an editor of Amazing-Trinidad-Vacations, an independent Trinidad and Tobago travel guide filled with exciting personal experiences and local insight.

Copyright - you may freely republish this article, provided the text, author credit, active links, and this copyright notice remain intact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edwin_Johnson


Family Vacation : Enjoy Fun Filled Adventure on a Family Vacation Cruise

Family Vacation

Cruises aren't only for romance, adults, and college kids. You can take your entire family on a cruise and have just as much fun as you would on any vacation. Many cruise ships today offer family cruise packages with fun stuff for kids and a good, clean atmosphere for the entire family. These usually don't have the typical "partying" atmosphere as many spring break cruises and cruises for adults only. Let's see what family vacation cruises have to offer.

Cruisin' with the Kids

Kids might find a normal cruise boring, but with family cruises, there's a long list of things to do. A cruise that caters to families and kids will allow you to have a great time without having to constantly come up with ways to entertain the kids. There are swimming pools with special kiddie stuff such as water slides or water games, video arcades, on-board games for kids of all ages such as shipboard Olympics, pizza parties, miniature golf, magic shows, sports, concerts, fun educational projects, and more. Some cruises have family-friendly movies and skating. Many offer on-shore kids' adventures and tours to enjoy as you reach each destination.

Where to Go

A tough decision to make is where to go on a family vacation cruise. Some places are just not suitable for families. They might have too much of a party type atmosphere catering to couples or single young adults. Some places are just too boring for the family to enjoy. Compare cruise offerings to find a destination that caters to families with attractions such as zoos, children's museums, amusement parks, water parks, tours of historic sites, or family fun centers. Teens might enjoy more adventurous activities such as snorkeling, parasailing, and hiking. When you exit the boat, you can pick and choose among several attractions to make the whole family happy.

Some great cruise destinations for families include Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida (with Disney Cruises), islands of the Caribbean, Hawaii, California, and Alaska. European cruises are also great for families, allowing you to explore interesting sites in Europe by sea and land.

A Break for Parents

One luxury you'll enjoy on a family cruise is you can take breaks from the kids occasionally. They can enjoy supervised games and activities while you relax in the Jacuzzi, enjoy a romantic dinner, try out a casino, or just sunbathe by the pool. Many cruises have a trained youth staff for various age groups to direct the children's activities. A schedule of kid's activities is provided so parents and kids will know how to plan each day.

Find the Perfect Family Cruise

Family cruises are easy to book using the Internet. Check out some of the main cruise lines to find out what they offer and what destinations are available. Some of the most popular are Disney Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, and Costa Cruise Lines. You can easily choose a cruise package that will fit your family's budget. But be sure to book a cruise that offers activities your family will enjoy. It should be a vacation to please everyone.

Some online resources to book a family cruise are Travelocity, Expedia, Travelzoo, and Orbitz. You can usually get discounted tickets by securing an all-inclusive family cruise package. An all-inclusive cruise will include meals, lodging, transportation, and some forms of entertainment. Be sure to find out what's included and what's not so you'll know how to plan financially for the trip.

If your family vacations seem a little drab lately, a family cruise can provide the new, thrilling adventure your family has been longing for!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson


Family Vacation : Adventure Vacation Package - What's in and Out?

Family Vacation

An adventure vacation package is always a priority for travelers. Before deciding what part of the world you want to go to, a review of the package you received from the tourist company is a great help to enjoy your trip. This will make you aware of the coverage of all the money you spend for the trip, and to evaluate whether the tourist company has been generous to you or not. You may also want to make comparisons before you decide for your next trip.

Here are common things that tourist companies include in an adventure vacation package. It will surely cover your airfare during arrival and departure assistance and transfers. All entrance fee and sight seeing programs are in the deal. Do not pay for any fee during a round trip, because it is the company that pays, but exclude your personal shopping at the place. When it comes to your lodging, it is the travel agency that makes arrangements for hotel reservations. This is always included in the package. Also, all local flight tours and other transportation fees are in the adventure vacation package already. Lastly, the licensed escort or tour guides are to be paid for by the company.

On the other hand, here are the things not to expect included in the deal. First, your laundry bill is not already the concern of the travel agency. This is the same for your telephone, wines, or liquors bill. Do not expect your travel agency to be in-charge of paying your Visitor's Visa. They may only help with your stay on it. Most especially, be aware that whatever your stomach asks for during the trip is not their concern. Foods and beverages are not included in the deal. You will spend for your own meals during the vacation, but there are also tourist agencies that offer meal service during the trip, but at different rates of course. Your shopping is also not included in the adventure vacation package.

While you are still planning for the trip, make comparisons first. You may surf the net to locate interesting websites for the travel. This will surely help you decide for the best package deal that you can have. Read travel reviews on the internet about the travel agencies that you are planning to contact. Be aware of those who offer fair discounts but still provide good service. You may want to look for suggestions from friends and chat with those who have already been to that place. Adventure vacation packages are a key to successful travel.

Planning the perfect vacation really does mean finding the right adventure vacation package for you and your family. What's right anyway? To figure out the vacation that's right for you, visit my site at http://www.adventuretravelpost.com and discover the perfect vacation. It may be closer than you think!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaila_Lynn


Family Vacation : Looking For a Family Vacation Adventure? The Grand Canyon is the The Ticket!

Family Vacation Adventure

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is enormous in size. You can't just drive to the gorge, spend some time looking around and then leave. To really make the most of a visit to this National Park, you must take a few hikes, ride the Colorado River and explore each corner open to tourists. The many different views the Grand Canyon can give you will certainly be a surprise.

The Canyon attracts millions of people each year with its colorful landscape, immense size, and awe-inspiring geology. This natural wonder presents obstacles that can leave even the experienced hikers emerging sore and fatigued, including the scorching heat during the summer months, an altitude of 7,000 feet and steep, rocky, winding trails.

Here are some ways you can take in the mystique of the Grand Canyon:

The South Rim. Aside from the view of this magnificent gorge, you get a close look at some historical buildings and ruins.

Toroweap Overlook. This popular overlook is on the North Rim and is 3,000 feet straight up from the river. This gives you a breath-taking view due to the steepness of the gorge.

Grand Canyon Skywalk. This gives you quite a scary view and really gets your heart pounding since it is a glass-bottom walkway that extends out from the edge of the gorge. The Skywalk is officially open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

Lipan Point. Also at the South Rim, this marks the starting point of the Tanner Trail. Take some time to grasp the beauty of the Canyon from Lipan Point before heading down the trail.

Tanner Trail. This trail heads towards the floor of the gorge and can be a challenging hike. The view of the Canyon from this trail is overwhelming.

Bright Angel Trail. The South Rim is where the most popular hike exists. The Bright Angel Trail is located near the Grand Canyon Village. On the North Rim, North Kailbab is the most popular hiking trail.

Whitewater Rafting. Some visitors prefer to go down to the bottom of the river by foot, while others prefer to ride the river. Being at the Grand Canyon bottom where you are thrown by the water, and surrounded by huge rocks can be an astounding experience.

Aerial View. Some people prefer the aerial view from a helicopter from one of the many charter services that will give you a bird's eye view of the Grand Canyon. Tour operators can be located at the Grand Canyon Airport, which is five miles south of the park or in Sedona.

Mule ride. Take a mule ride down the side of the Canyon. There are several companies who perform this magnificent view as you travel down the inside of the Canyon.

The Grand Canyon can be a great family vacation adventure on a budget. If you like camping The North Rim is open for campers free of charge. Also there are plenty of benches and tables set up for eating. So make sure you pack your sleeping bags, tents and food so you won't need to spend any money for lodging or dining while visiting the Grand Canyon!

Doug Maxwell is an online marketer of family vacation ideas and as well as high quality products at great prices with exceptional service. Check out my travel blog for more family travel ideas at Family Vacation Deals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Maxwell


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