Growing up, my parents were sure to make sure that each and every year consisted of at least 2 family vacations. There were years that we didn’t have a lot of money to be taking lavish family vacations, but they always found some way to get all of us together and give us lasting memories. That’s what life and quality time is supposed to be about – the memories that will last a lifetime. There were years that they splurged and would fly all of us to Disney or the Bahamas.
Most of our family vacations were spent at the beach or camping in the wilderness. Camping didn’t cost very much money and somehow always ended up being a really peaceful vacation. All of the family fights and arguing seemed to be put on hold once we were out in the great outdoors. My parents had purchased a huge, two room tent one year to accommodate their growing children, and it was so much fun for us. My dad would let us stay up late and tell us stories while we snuggled into our sleeping bags. My mother would pretend to be annoyed that we were staying up past our bedtimes, but she was always smiling when she said it. The family vacations to the beach were always thrilling as well. They would rent a house or apartment a few blocks from the beach and we’d spend a week laying in the sun, jumping through the waves and running around in the sand.
It isn’t cheap to plan and take family vacations nowadays. Prices have skyrocketed and the price of fuel can cut some trips short. People are tending to not venture as far away from home to save money. Family vacations to Disney are often advertised that they are discounted or on sale, but even the lower costs can really add up for a larger family. The actual airfare and hotel might be reasonable, but you have to think about all of the food and drinks that add up on those relaxing family vacations. The admissions to the theme parks are amazingly high.
For families who are wanting to take family vacations that will be peaceful and memorable, you don’t always have to spend a fortune. My favorite memories of spending time with my family weren’t in the islands or theme parks, they were of camping. Of course, not every family craves spending time in the great outdoors. I know some families who can’t live without electricity and a comfy bed. There are other options. If you’re looking to travel someplace, see if there are package deals that might include all of your meals. That could save your family quite a bit of money. Visit the beaches in the off-season to take advantage of lower rates and smaller crowds of people. Visit local destinations instead of venturing farther away. And remember, family vacations aren’t always about where you go or how much money you spend – it is about [...]
Archive for March, 2010
Fostering Harmony Using Family Vacations
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Vegas Vacation
The Griswold family hits the road again for a typically ill-fated vacation, this time to the glitzy mecca of slots and showgirls, Las Vegas.Running Time: 95 min. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: PG Age: 085392885725 UPC: 085392885725 Manufacturer No: 28857
Product DescriptionVEGAS VACATION (DVD/WS/NATIONAL LAMPOON)Amazon.comJust when you thought it was safe to go back to the casino, along comes the Griswold family from the popular series of National Lampoon’s Vacation movies, raising a ruckus in the now family-friendly gambling capitol of the world. Clark (Chevy Chase), the bumbling Griswold patriarch, gets into his usual quota of trouble–especially on a sightseeing trip to the Hoover Dam (where puns on the word “dam” come f… More >>
Vegas Vacation
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Best Travel Deals For Your Holiday
The greatest secret to getting an affordable airfare or best travel discounts is to know your budget and what do you really want. Additionally, you should shop and compare deals until you run out of options and choose the best among them.
And importantly, always plan ahead. Nothing is too early when it comes to vacation planning. This will give you ample time to search and choose.
Whether you’re a business traveler or planning a family vacation, here are some travel tips to save you money and choose the best deal:
1. Buy your ticket directly. Travel agents usually charge between $15 and $35 per ticket.
2. Buy your ticket all at the same time instead of buying one at a time. Booking fee may be discounted.
3. Booking for a package tour could be a wise choice for some destinations.
4. When planning a more complex trip, a travel agent can save you more time and money.
5. Compare prices online for the best deal. There are websites that help travelers to shop and compare. Some also provide travel tips and guidelines.
6. Play the seasons. Some travel destinations are cheapest at certain times or season of the year. Booking for an off-peak season also would give you the best deal.
For both air and car travel, avoid the crowds by traveling during the week, especially from Tuesday through Thursday. An added bonus is that airfares for travel Tuesday through Thursday are usually cheaper.
Mid-morning and late afternoon flights tend to be less crowded, plus you can really avoid commute traffic during this time. This site also offers the load on late-night flights (also known as red-eye flights for obvious reasons): these flights can help you avoid traffic but it’s only effective if you can sleep sitting up-right on a plane!
And did you know that traveling off-peak means traveling during holidays (not before or after) when airfares are lower and there’s less road traffic?
Some of the most affordable travel deals of the year can be found in the fall. If you find super off-peak dates that fall between major holidays, strike while the iron is hot. Book immediately with your discount travel broker. Never hesitate!
7. Be flexible with travel dates and times. Some airlines and hotels offer substantial discounts if you book one or two days earlier.
8. Smaller airlines often have lesser fees. Additionally, small airlines don’t necessarily mean smaller airplanes.
9. Alternative airport also could provide you with substantial discounts. Ask your travel agent about it.
10. Plan ahead. The earlier you book, the better deal you will have.
11. Buy trip insurance. Insurance will not only save your life but also could save you money. If you end up being sick in foreign country, your insurance back home might not cover it. Thus you might end up using your vacation budget on hospitalization.
12. Sign up for hotel and airline awards programs. Chain hotels usually have award programs; take advantage of it especially if you are a frequent business traveler. Finally, never stop bargaining, always explore the possibility of lower [...]