Plan Now for Your Family Adventure Vacation
Believe it or not, there is a positive side to the economic downfall that has put so many countries on their heads recently. All over the world, people are hurting for cash, and that means there are deals to be had for those smart enough to take advantage. Travel prices are lower than they have been in decades, so if you have been dreaming about an epic family trip, now it the time to make it happen—with a lot of planning of course.
Once in a Lifetime Family Vacation is Worth the Planning
It used to be that only travel agents could get really good deals on car rentals, flights or hotel rooms. Thanks to the advent of the internet, anyone can book a cheap vacation deal using one of the hundreds of online trip planners. There is a tool for every taste, and knowing where to go for information can save hundreds of vacation dollars.
Family Road Trip
If the thought of driving for hours in a crowded car actually sounds like fun, you’re in luck! Family road trips are one of the cheapest vacations around. Driving to a destination not only saves money, it naturally includes together time that is often missing from over-scheduled vacations. Time spent in the car can become the best part of the trip. Forgo the usual in-car DVDs and try searching for “family car games” on the internet for ideas that will keep everyone laughing. Reading a cherished book aloud is also a great way to pass the time and the miles.
There are things to see virtually everywhere from kid-friendly museums, to theme parks, to the wonders of nature. One of the best options for a family road trip is to rent a recreational vehicle (RV). A family RV trip makes travel easy because the bathroom, kitchen and entertainment center is build right in to the vehicle. To find an RV rental in your area, Google “RV rental” followed by the name of your town. AAA’s website also offers a great free trip planner with premium content with a paid membership—a good idea for anyone hitting the road.
Renting a Vacation Home
If you are traveling with a large group, try the new vacation trend of renting a whole house. There are a lot of advantages to staying in a house, not the least of which is having common space where the whole group can spend time together. Often times, rental rates for vacation houses are comparable or even cheaper than staying in multiple hotel rooms. Add to that the savings from cooking and eating meals at home, and renting a vacation home is clearly an economical choice.
Renting a house is usually best for visiting one specific location like a beach, theme park or city. There are also plenty of vacation houses for rent in less-visited areas. Rates at these locations are often lower than at other destinations frequented by tourists. VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals By Owners) is a great place to start looking for vacation rental homes in the United States and Internationally.
Family Camping Trip
Although tents and campfires may not be the first thing that comes to mind for an epic family trip, they can actually be the gateway to some amazing adventures. Some of the most beautiful sights in the world can only be appreciated through camping. Camping out with the family is a natural lead in to a lot of wonderful activities like trout fishing, hunting, mountain climbing, and white water rafting. Why go for a hot tub when mom, dad and the kids can relax in a natural hot spring instead?
Family Camping doesn’t just have to happen in the backyard. Foreign countries are honing in on the camping trend as well. Many dream vacations (think African Safari or the Jungles of Thailand) are now offering amazing deals for families willing to camp out all or part of their vacation. Search for “family adventure travel” to find dozens of companies ready to cater to campers in the making.
Although travel may seem out of budget, there are a lot of ways to save right now. A little planning, and the use of all the tools the internet has to offer ensures that there is a dream family vacation out there for every budget.
