Family travel can be tricky, especially when family members have diverse hobbies and tastes. Multi-generational travel adds an additional layer of complexity, when trying to find activities that seniors, adults, teens and toddlers can all enjoy together. The keys to making a family vacation work are easy, but require a little extra planning and positivity. Here are my four tips on how to plan a successful and stress-free family vacation:
1. Make a family travel wish list: In the planning phase, all members of the family should write down 2-3 wish list items – things each of you would love to do on vacation! Then begin researching destinations that can satisfy all (or most) of the wish list items. Scour travel blogs, read reviews, and talk to friends about vacations that have worked for them!
2. Plan for time together and time apart: Don’t plan on spending every waking moment together – you’re destined for a stressful vacation. Break up your family into smaller groups. For example, organize mother/daughter day, and a father son day. Or mom and dad can plan a spa day together while the kids do an activity with their grandparents. Spending a bit of time apart while on vacation is a much more balanced approach, and will enhance the moments that you do spend together as a family.
3. Bring an open mind: To make a vacation the best it can be, some compromise is required. That’s not to say that you should suffer on your vacation, but have an open mind and try new things. You may discover a new-found hobby or passion!
4. Work in down days: A tired family is a stressed out family. To avoid getting burnt out, work in low-key down days where lounging, relaxing and doing nothing are the main orders of business!
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I found it helpful that you explained how every family member should create a list of things that they are interested in doing while on vacation. Now that my youngest son is old enough to walk, we would like to go on a family vacation, but everyone has varying activity ideas for the trip. Maybe we should create a list so that we can properly determine how we should spend our time.