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Travel

Family traveling tips Make your vacations relaxing, not nerve-racking. By Susan BelknappPublished: April, 2009

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Taking a family trip with young children is valuable photo album fodder and the stuff of life-long memories. However, the reality can often be a hair-raising and harrowing event.     Case in point, our family’s three-week national parks trip when I was 4: a blizzard in June, bears raiding our campground and eating all our food, me lobbing a battery into the fire because I thought it qualified for kindling. Who knew a battery will explode with the force of an acid-spewing grenade if tossed into an open flame?     Then there was the suitcase that blew off our car on the highway. “Good Samaritans” doubled back to save it, but decided it might be worth something, so they drove off with it.     Add to that breakdowns in the desert, brothers getting left behind and a close call or two on a cliff’s edge, and you have stories for years to come.     But if you’d like an enjoyable, relaxing vacation with your family, here are some tips from Jo Andrews, a travel agent for more than 35 years and owner of Go With Jo in Huntington Beach: > Pick a kid-friendly location. A resort with lots of activities, kid’s programs and a kid’s menu is ideal so Mom and Dad get a break too. “There are some amazing values right now, for whatever you want to do – relaxation, adventure, family-fun time,” says Andrews, who recommends all-inclusive resorts and cruises. > Request “connecting” rooms rather than “adjoining.” Adjoining rooms are side-by-side but may not have a door between them. > Pack a goodie bag with snacks, games, favorite books and special toys that are only brought out for this occasion. > Include older children in the decision-making process > Book direct flights whenever possible to avoid impossibly long days and the hassle of layovers. > Encourage your kids to visit Web sites and do their own research about where you’re going. Anticipation is half the fun for everyone. > Maintain your child’s sleep cycle. Don’t plan activities too early or too late if your child doesn’t keep that schedule at home. > Pack a one-day supply of clothing and necessities for the family in a carry-on bag in case luggage gets lost. Ask your travel or booking agent for a checklist. Source: gowithjo.net              Continued ... 1  |  2

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