Travel Tips from a Pro! A Guest Blogger Fills In!

I hope everyone had a great weekend, ours was pretty much spent in the bathroom trying to get Bear over this croup! Needless to say it wasn't our best weekend, but we made some memories :)! I'm so excited to introduce Kendra Thornton. Kendra reached out to me to post some great travel tips for the families. I thought this would be a perfect post for this week, especially since lots of us will be taking our trips before the kiddos head back to school.We leave for Rosemary Beach in 2 weeks, so I know I could really benefit from her tips! Kendra is a mother of three and before she decided to stay at home she was the Director of Communications at Orbitz. Having said that, you know she is well traveled and can provide us all with lots of good hints.

There Is Still Time! Enjoy a Family Vacation This Summer

Have you taken your vacation yet?  It may be August now, but there is still time to put together a great family vacation!  There’s still a few weeks of summer left.  Traveling with kids can be fun, exciting and educational; with some planning ahead of time, your best vacation yet still awaits.

Tip 1: Where to Go

Do a little research, and remember you’re taking the kids with you.  What do they like to do?  Have they outgrown the petting zoo?  Is a waterpark with enormous slides too extreme for their personality?  If your family’s ages and interests cover a wide spectrum, look for a place that has something for everyone.  Hiking, swimming, and camping are fun activities that everyone can enjoy.  You know your kids the best, so determine a destination they are going to enjoy.

Tip 2: The Fun of Getting There

With the ever-increasing cost of airline travel, many families are opting to travel by car.  Plan ahead, and allow plenty of time.  For kids, it’s often more fun to stop along the way to stretch and play, or visit interesting roadside stops.  Play some fun car games together, and take advantage of electronic devices (iPads, portable DVD players, etc.) to keep the kids occupied as the hours of traveling add up.

Tip 3: What, Where, and How to Pack

Car-top carriers can seem like a much-needed addition of space, but their wind resistance can play havoc with your gas mileage.  Try to fit everything within the car’s trunk.  More importantly, keep a “travel pack” with you that has any essential items that might be needed at a moment’s notice.  Have this readily available (and not in your check-on luggage, or packed away in the trunk), and keep in it things like medications, a change of clothes, some snacks, a bottle/pacifier, or some napkins.  Just remember to double check what can go through airport security if you’re flying.

Tip 4: Where to stay

If you’re planning on staying in hotels, or at a resort, do some research before you make your reservations.  Does the room(s) have a microwave or fridge?   Will there be a high chair or crib available for your little one?  Are there fun kid activities on the premises or nearby?  What about nursery or baby-sitting services so you can enjoy adult activities or an evening out?  I used Gogobot to look through a list of reviews on Orlando hotels, and found one that offered a free continental breakfast to my whole family.  Make sure to find a hotel that suits all your specific needs.

Tip 5: Surprise the Kids!

Wake the kids up early one morning with their bags all packed and ready to go, and tell them you’re going on vacation!  They will be thrilled at the prospect of going to a new location.  If this seems too extreme, drop little tidbits of information about where you’re heading without actually giving it away in the weeks leading up to the trip.  The little breadcrumb trail of clues will peak their excitement, and the anticipation will be huge leading up to the trip.  If you choose to do this, make sure the destination is somewhere the kids will really be excited about so they don’t feel let down, though.

The end of summer is rapidly approaching, but that is all the more reason to start planning your family vacation today!  I hope these tips help your family while on vacation this summer, and remember to have fun!