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Tips for Budgeting a Vacation for the Entire Family

guider — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:38:57 +0000

Vacations can be expensive, and if you are on a limited budget, it may seem impossible to take your family on an enjoyable vacation. There are a number of ways that you can make a great family vacation affordable. These can allow you to treat your family to the vacation that they deserve without having to break the bank to do so. Here are a few ways that you can take a family vacation while staying within your family budget.

One of the most basic tips for planning a vacation is to introduce a vacation fund into your family budget. Even if you only give $10 per week to the fund, you still have $520 at the end of the year. This allows you to slowly accumulate money that would otherwise be unavailable for a vacation. You may choose to supplement the vacation fund with money from income tax returns or other money that would not normally be a part of your weekly income. This provides more opportunities for adding to your vacation fund.

Research your destination and discover the best time for traveling. There may be discounts available if you are flexible about when you would be leaving. This allows you to travel to your destination without paying full price. This can often save you quite a bit of money when you consider how much full admission prices can be for your entire family. Along the same lines, check to see if there are any airlines or hotels running specials that you can take advantage of to save money on your travel and lodging expenses as well.

Another option to help keep your family vacation within the confines of your budget is to choose a vacation destination that is not going to be exceedingly costly. Visiting state parks, beaches, and other public areas can allow you and the family to have fun and enjoy the time spent together without the added costs of amusement parks or other attractions. Be sure to consult both your spouse and your children when trying to come up with vacation ideas so that you know everyone can be excited about the trip.

While on vacation, consider packing sandwiches or supplies for making your own meals instead of stopping for every meal at a restaurant. Preparing your own meals can help you save a lot of money because restaurants become expensive after a while. This also provides your family with extra money for other amusements. If you still insist on eating your meals at the local restaurants, you can use the food you brought with you for light lunches or travel food. This can still help you save quite a bit of money in comparison to the cost of eating out for every meal. An added advantage is that certain foods such as fruits and bread do not go bad while you are away from home; by packing them for your vacation, you can avoid wasting food while you are away.

Depending on the vacation that you want to take, you might find that you do not have enough money to be able to afford everything that you need. Should you have enough room in your family budget to be able to add another monthly payment, you might consider taking out a small personal loan to help pay for your vacation expenses. Before you do this, however, you should make sure that you can afford the loan payment and that you are not going to be overextending your finances by trying to pay it off on time.

Shop around for quotes from different lenders so that you can get the best deal on the money that you borrow and compare the repayment terms carefully to find the loan that best meets your needs. Save this as a last resort in case the vacation you are planning is very important to the family, since borrowing money is a serious responsibility and can lead to major credit problems if you are not able to repay what you borrow. If you can afford to add the loan payment to your monthly budget and are able to repay the loan in a respectable amount of time, it can be perfectly acceptable to borrow a little bit of extra money to help make your family vacation dreams come true.

A vacation is a great time for a family to spend time together. Vacations are possible no matter what your budget is. When you are planning your vacation, try to put a few dollars aside each week. This helps you accumulate money over time that can be used towards you family’s vacation. When you leave for your vacation consider packing sandwiches and other snacks. This can save you money since you do not have to eat at a restaurant for every meal. These tips can help your family plan a much-deserved vacation even on a tight budget.

Comparing All-inclusive Vacation Resorts: How to Choose One

guider — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:38:47 +0000

All-inclusive resorts give travelers great tourist options. Similar to a cruise, your entire trip is planned in advance, but (unlike a cruise) you have flexibility to leave the resort whenever you want. With an all-inclusive vacation, you pay one price and then you are done, which can be really nice for budgeting purposes. It also cuts down on the amount of planning you have to do – a definite advantage if you really want to relax on your trip. Not all resorts, however, are equal. With so many choices available, you might be overwhelmed when trying to decide which all-inclusive resort is right for you. After you have done your research and looked at room choices, meal places, and more, are you still trying to decide between a handful of resorts? Here are five tips for choosing the best one for your vacation:

Tip #1: Choose your location first – Before you start checking out resort options, try to narrow down your vacation destinations. The particular resort you choose might help you make your final choice, but at least have a clear idea where you do not want to go. You may also want to narrow down your choices by area of the world. For example, do you want to stay in the United States or visit another country? Are you interested in a tropical resort or a place in the mountains? Make sure you check out plane ticket prices, as flying to a resort in one location might be hundreds of dollars more than flying to a resort in another location. Your travel arrangements are the one thing never (or at least, very rarely) included in the all-inclusive resort stay, so this could make a major difference.

Tip #2: Consider what you get for your money – “All-inclusive” might sound self-explanatory, but it’s really not. Sometimes, all-inclusive resorts include just a room and three meals per day. Other times, there are special events, free local tours, and complimentary services. Does your all-inclusive resort include free drinks in the price? Does your all-inclusive resort have free beach access? Does your all-inclusive resort have a gym on the premises? Even though the price of one resort might seem like a bargain, when you take into account what is included, it might not seem as special.

Tip #3: Check out the tours available – Whether you have to pay extra for them or not, most all-inclusive resorts have buses that take you to various destinations throughout the area. If there are certain things you want to see, check out which all-inclusive resorts offer tours to those destinations. If they do not, you will have to make your own arrangements, which kind of takes away from the nature of an all-inclusive resort! In addition, if you have to plan the tour yourself, you might find yourself shelling out extra money on top of the money you have already paid for your stay at the resort.

Tip #4: Research special events at the resorts – Sometimes, all-inclusive resorts hold special events on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis. These events range from resort-wide parties and singles mixers to large festivals open to the public. Once you have your travel dates confirmed (or at least a general idea), check out what events are going on at the resorts you are considering. Make sure to find out if the events are part of your vacation package – sometimes tickets cost extra or you have to make specific reservations to be on the guest list. Otherwise, you might not be able to get into the event.

Tip #5: Ask for advice – At the end of the day, no matter how much online research you do, sometimes you should just really get the advice of people who have actually been there. Take what you read online with a grain of salt – some resorts pay writers to post good reviews, even though they have never been there. Look instead for user-based websites, or, even better, you can ask a travel agent for advice. Sometimes, a resort could look really nice in a brochure, but not nearly as nice in real life. Get as many recommendations as possible when you are comparing all-inclusive resorts.

There are dozens of all-inclusive resorts in every area of the world. Choosing one for your next vacation can be difficult and a little confusing. With so many choices, you just want to simplify the process so you can have the best vacation possible. By using the above tips, you can make sure that the all-inclusive resort you pick is the right one for you. There are resort choices exclusively for couples (adults only), families with children, single adults, senior adults, or just about any group you can think of. It is important to choose a vacation that has the type of activities you and your traveling companions enjoy – otherwise, even the best resort on the planet will not make you happy. But remember, resorts are in the business of pleasing their customers, so chances are, as long as you choose from a reputable operator, everything should be smooth sailing!

Cruise Etiquette: Making the Most of Social Opportunities on Your Vacation

guider — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:42:13 +0000

A cruise is a unique vacation experience, because you share it with a small, distinct group of people – everyone else on the cruise. Because quarters are somewhat close, depending on the size of the ship, it is usually encouraged for guests to meet one another and form friendships. Some cruise ships even arrange mixers, seat you at dinner tables with other guests, and run activities meant to spark conversation between guests. While on a cruise, though, it can be difficult to understand the lines of etiquette. If you are planning a cruise as your next vacation, here are a few suggestions to make the most of the social opportunities presented to you while still practicing good etiquette.

First of all, on a cruise, unless you go on a special family-friendly cruise where alcohol is banned, there will be plenty of opportunities to drink. On some cruises you do not have to pay for drinks, while on others all bars are cash only. Regardless, when you are on a cruise, it is important to show discretion with how much you drink. No one likes someone who has had too much to drink, and it can be a very dangerous as well. Keep in mind that no matter how comfortable you feel with the people you have meant, you should stop drinking as soon as you start to feel it.

It is important to know your limits with food just as with alcohol. On a cruise, dinners are often buffet-style, meaning that you can eat as much as you want. However, remember that you are on a ship and it can be easy to get sick. If you are ill because you have eaten too much, you will not be able to enjoy the social life on the ship, and you will bring down the mood of the others you have met. At least until you know how you will stomach the sea, refrain from eating too much!

To go along with dinner etiquette, remember to tip. Many cruises are “all-inclusive,” meaning that you do not have to pay for food or activities. However, unless there are specific signs that ask you not to tip, you should leave at least 15% for your waitress. If you do not tip, you are not only insulting the staff, but you will also make things awkward with your dinner company.

When on a cruise, remember to stay positive. It is natural to chat with those around you, especially if you are placed at a dinner table with others or go to events. The one thing that everyone has in common is that you are all on the cruise together and you are all traveling. It is really tempting to share your life story, including all the ups and downs, but keep in mind that this is a vacation when you should be having fun! No one likes complaining or whining, so unless your story is about a funny mishap or has a happy ending, try not to be negative in your conversation.

Speaking of conversation, what should you talk about? Almost anything goes, but try to avoid topics that are too personal. While it might be nice to exchange information about where you are from, for example, stick to general areas, like “southern Florida” or “near Boston.” Use the same caution here as you would online – do not give out personal information or ask other to share. Also stay away from conversations over things that are highly controversial, like politics or religion. Although some people enjoy debates, you do not want things to get heated. Instead, stick to positive, fun topics. If you cannot think of a topic, try talking about positive things relating to the cruise, like the food you have enjoyed, the activities you are planning to try, or your travel plans following the cruise.

Remember, you will not get along with everyone you meet on a cruise. Try to be patient with others, and realize that the ship is big. Most cruises have thousands of people on board, and there are no rules that say you have to hang out with the people you meet your first night on board. If you are not having a good time, politely excuse yourself and meet other people!

Keep in mind that not everyone is on a cruise to meet other people. Sometimes, people on cruises simply want to spend time with their families or by themselves. Although you should be friendly and polite, if someone seems a bit unreceptive to your conversation, realize that they may rather not get to know you – and that is not a personal attack on you, they would just rather be alone. While on a cruise, the most important point of etiquette for your social interactions is to give others their space, at least as much as possible on a ship.

Cynthia Andrews is freelance writers who writes about the singles scene and also travel vacations and packages for young people. Ms. Andrews also frequently discusses specific kinds of vacations such as cruises.

Fun-Filled Florida Vacation Attractions

guider — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:37:09 +0000

Florida, the Sunshine State, is home to much more than just beaches. The entire state is a wondrous place filled with numerous attractions for vacationers.

Sure, you might know about Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, but here are a handful of vacation attractions you may not know of. We’re going on a wild Florida vacation ride that will include everything from romance to history.

Let’s just see what we can dig up in Florida.

Let’s Ride

If you like to hike or ride a bike, the Grayton Beach State Park offers a four-mile off road trail. There’s even a 10-mile bike path along Hwy.30.

Bikers who like a leisure pace and eye-popping scenery will enjoy all this great park has to offer.

Romance

For the romantic couples out there, I have a perfect place for you. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are as romantic as it can get. Take a walk on the white sandy beaches. You and your loved one with walk hand in hand experiencing pure tranquility.

History

If you are looking for stuff to do with the kids, take them to Jacksonville Museum of science and History. It’ll be fun for the whole family, and educational at the same time.

Silver Springs – Ocala, Florida

Silver Springs is a beautiful 350-acre “nature’s theme park.” Here you can see the underground springs from the famous glass-bottom boat. The Silver Springs surrounds the headwaters of the Silver River, the world’s largest artesian spring.

The Wild

For my money, the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, which spans over 35,000 acres, is also another must-see attraction. Enthusiastic nature lovers pack your backpacks and your tents and let’s go camping.

Florida Beaches

Fort De Soto Park North Beach is a great Florida beach.

It’s located near St. Petersburg, Florida, the Fort De Soto Park’s North Beach was ranked as the #1 beach in the nation in 2005 by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman also known as Dr. Beach, an environmental studies professor at the Florida International University in Miami.

Next stop, Clearwater and St. Pete beaches.

If you like playing volleyball with friends, the St Pete and Clearwater Beaches is the place for you to show off your moves.

Sunset Key Guest Cottages

Sometimes where you stay is an attraction all by itself. And Westin’s Sunset Key Guest Cottages is one of those places.

The Westin’s Sunset Key Guest Cottages is one of the top 500 places in the world to stay.

The 27-acre private island is located just 500 yards from the “Old Town” Key West. The island has 37 guest cottages.

So Much More in Florida

Florida has countless opportunities to enjoy. As you can see from this short list, we have beaches, romance, history, water fun, nature and so much more. Florida really is one of those special places to visit.

I hope this sampling of vacation attractions sparked an interest and gave you more ideas. From the beaches to canoeing to culture to fishing, Florida definitely has it all.

Traveling With Teens: Top Five Tips for a Peaceful Family Vacation

guider — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:38:16 +0000

Understanding teens can be difficult, especially when you are planning a vacation. Your teen will likely want to stay home rather than vacation with the family, and even if you are lucky enough to have a mature teen who enjoys spending time with you, he or she will still likely be moody, easily embarrassed, and uncooperative at times. Do not worry – you are not doing anything wrong as a parent! Vacationing with your teen might be difficult, but in the end, the effort is worth the lasting memories you will make together. That said, you do not want to spend the whole time fighting. Here are five tips for planning and enjoying a peaceful family vacation together:

Tip #1: Cater to your teen’s interests – One of the hardest parts of planning a vacation if you have children of all ages is finding activities that everyone can enjoy. On one hand, you have to make sure that your younger children are not bored and throwing temper tantrums. On the other hand, if you want to avoid arguments, it is important to cater to your teen’s interests. Luckily, there are often a number of activities on any vacation that allow children and adults alike to have fun. More specifically, though, do not just find teen-friendly activities. Look for places you can go that specifically will interest your teen. For example, if your son likes music, stop by a vintage record shop or a store with music memorabilia. If your daughter likes water sports, arrange for some jet skiing or sailing. Even if your teen pretends to look apathetic, when you arrange for interesting activities, he or she will have fun.

Tip #2: Respect your teen’s space and give him or her some alone time – On a vacation, it can be a challenge to coexist in such close proximity to everyone else in your family. Teens especially need space, and on vacation, they usually do not get much privacy. Consider the ways in which you can give your teen a little time alone without ruining the vacation for everyone else. One idea is to allow your teen to stay in an adjoining hotel room (with the door open) or his/her own tent if you are camping. You can also consider inviting one of your teen’s friends on the vacation with your family. That way, they can do some activities on their own, but still make use of the buddy system for safety’s sake.

Tip #3: Get your teen involved with the planning – Although some teens will not be interested in the least, many young adults will be much more willing to cooperate if they get to make some of the vacationing decisions. You might be surprised at the activities your teen really wants to do versus what you would have planned. Maybe your teen really wants to go to the zoo, or maybe your teen would rather spend some time at an amusement park. Be ready to be surprised! Of course, you may not be able to allow your teen complete vacation planning freedom, but it is a good way to get him or her on board. As a bonus, this helps teens learn about budgeting and travel preparations.

Tip #4: Give your teen choices – Beyond planning, try to give you teen choices on a daily basis while you are on vacation. Saying, “what do you want to do,” can be dangerous, as your teen may want to do activities that younger children in your family cannot enjoy (or even worse, their answer may be “nothing!”). So, instead, come up with two choices and let your teen decide between them (ex. “would you rather go shopping or spend time on the beach?”). Teens like to know that their opinion is valued – and they are more likely to enjoy themselves when they have had a hand in the decision-making.

Tip #5: Choose your battles – Lastly, choose your battles. Remember, you are on vacation. Instead of fighting about everything, try to relax a little and only argue about the things that are really important, like the skimpy bathing suit your daughter wants to wear, rather than the things that are insignificant, like the fact that he or she brought a cell phone to text friends while on vacation. If there is a major problem, sometimes it is best to suggest that you both calm down and deal with the situation when the vacation is over. There is no sense in ruining a fun day for the entire family because of a dispute between you and your teen.

In general, you may not be able to stop every disagreement from happening, but you can lessen the blows a bit by following the above five tips. No matter where you live or where you are traveling on vacation, some teens will always be challenging, but that does not mean that you should skip a potentially fun and relaxing family vacation.