Organize Your Family Vacation
April 13, 2009 by Nikki
- Vacation
Your Family Vacation
It’s spring and many of us now are starting to plan our summer vacations. How can you do this in an organized way, so the frustration is minimal? Preparation is key… Just like anything in life, the more you prepare, the more organized you will be! Here are some simple tips to follow when planning your next vacation!
Travel Notebook - Have one notebook or file, which is filled with everything you need to know about your trip. Keep everything in the same place, this way you will never wonder where the printout of the hotel went? You will know exactly where to go. Separate the file or notebook into categories, for example: Budget, Hotel, Meals, Important Phone numbers, Tourist Attractions.
Destination- Have a family meeting and decide on some different places you would like to go. It’s not always easy to decide and there may be need of compromise. Research the destinations prior to deciding. Look at all the activities, sites and options available.
Set a budget - How much money do you have to spend on this trip? This could be a main factor of where you end of going. If you have a lump sum saved, figure out a budget by breaking down what each piece of the trip will cost. For example, transportation to and from and in between, hotel accommodations, meals, activities, mementos, etc. Be on the safe side and over estimate! Nothing is worse in than going on vacation and running out of money, or feeling guilty because you overspent. Plan and be wise, look for discounts and deals on the internet. Ask friends and family what there experiences have been like.
Bookings - Research what needs to be paid for in advanced. What places need reservations, what short cuts can be taken. Be prepared, so you are not left disappointed later.
Packing- type up a general packing list for each member of your family. When preparing to leave, print them up and hand them out as a check off list. This way no one will forget their toothbrushes, however they only get to check off when it’s packed! Make sure to leave room for purchases.
Away from Home- Have a to do list ready which includes everything you need to do to take care of your home while you are away. Depending on the length of the trip will determine how long your to do list will be. Examples – stop your mail, stop your newspaper, get a timer for lights in your home, notify a neighbor you will be gone, leave contact information with the neighbor, garbage collection, pet care, lawn mowed.
Last tip- be flexible, things do not always go as we plan, be as prepared as you can be, have fun, and make memories with your loved ones!
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Great blog on Organize Your Family Vacation! Those were very definite points that WE will definitely follow on our next trip. And great organization / layout for the blog.
Very well done! Keep up the great work!
bk
[...] my blog post, Organize your Family Vacation, I talked about different organizing tips to use while planning for your trip. This blog post [...]