When I was young, family vacations with my parents consisted of driving for a week from place to place in a hot stifling car. My parents had the knack of picking the hottest week of the summer to do so. In spite of that, we still had fun, managed to find interesting sites to explore and those are the memories that I still have.
I discovered the joy of travel to far reaching destinations on my own by the time I turned 18. Jumping on a plane and heading off to Brazil, Europe or cruising the Caribbean, has turned into a life long passion my whole family now enjoys with me.
Family vacations have evolved over the years. There have never been more choices, more variety and more options available for family vacations as there is today. Especially since 9/11, the focus on family and community and played a strong role in our society. The travel industry has noticed and has geared up for families. From all-inclusive vacation packages and cruises, which are equipped with kids clubs and special activities; to resorts that supply a nanny for your stay, it's never been a better time for families to travel.
Still not sure? Here are just a few of the benefits of taking a family vacation:
1. The family that plays together, stays together.....
It is a time to get away from it all. Away from work, the phone calls, the kid's activities, the daily to do list. This is a great opportunity to spend time as a family and get to know each other. Go for a hike, build a sandcastle, explore a museum. There is more time to talk and spend time together without the daily distractions.
2. Teach your children well....
Travel is an excellent learning tool for kids. They can have the opportunity to learn about things first hand they may have learned in school, read about or saw on TV. Any destination can offer this learning experience whether it is a few hours drive away from you home or in Europe. Family vacations will teach children about different cultures, food, history, geography, climate, environment and so much more. The best part is that it's way more fun for them then learning it through homework!
3. New experiences they will never forget.....
Family vacations provide a whole new venue for experiences that your kids never would have had otherwise. We took a family cruise last winter, and it was my 9-year-old son's first cruise. We told him all about the ship and showed him pictures but I don't think he could quite grasp what it was really going to be like. We landed in Fort Lauderdale and as we were driving to the port, we could see our ship in the distance. He was excited but still very nonchalant. Once we got to the port and pulled up alongside the ship, he looked up and up and up at the enormous ship, his mouth dropped open and he gasped in amazement. That reaction was worth the price of the whole trip and is something I know our family will always remember.
4. Life is an adventure, especially on vacation....
Even if you are not particularly brave there are still many ways to experience the adventures that lie in every corner of our planet. It may be as simple as going to the zoo at your destination and seeing the animals that are local to that habitat or taking a jungle tour though the Amazon. There is so much to see and do, pick the adventures that appeal to your family and do them together.
5. You kids won't be kids forever....
Doesn't seem like yesterday that the teenager that just borrowed your car, was in diapers and day-care? Most parents agree that time seems to fly by quickly and those babies are grown before you know it. There will come a time that your children will have lives of their own and sad as it may seem, spending time with Mom and Dad will not be anywhere near the top of their list. Take the time for a family vacation while they still want your company.
6. Time to kick back and relax......
Now this part is important. One of the main reasons to take a vacation is to get some rest and recharge. It is important for everyone so don't over do it. Try and schedule an active day followed by a more relaxing day. It's hard to do in some destinations where there is so much to see and do like Disney World, but trust me. The kids will be less tired and cranky and it will give you a reason to come back to the destination again!
I know this all sounds so good, it makes you want to book that trip you've been putting off doesn't it? Well, I will add in a dose of reality here and include a few negatives. There are some natural stresses to travelling. Planes get delayed, kids get cranky, families can have too much of a good thing and get on each other's nerves. The list can go on, but don't let that discourage you, the advantages are too numerous to ignore.
So whether you choose to pack the kids in the car or fly to more exotic destinations, the benefits are the same. As far as memories go, we tend to remember the good things; the time spent together as a family, the new things that were discovered, the new friends we made, the places we saw. This is what your children will remember and, the fact that you were there with them to enjoy it.
Jolana Klobouk is a former travel agent who has traveled extensively for work and vacations with her family. For more travel information, visit her travel websites: http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com and http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com
move in cleaning service Lake Forest ..Considering a romantic or family Costa Rica vacation? You're choosing... Read More
You've thought and dreamed about it for months, planning each... Read More
Lodging Hotels in Davenport, FLThere are numerous choices for lodging... Read More
The typical scenario goes something like this: your casual mention... Read More
Once you make up your mind to on a vacation,... Read More
Hilton Head Island is a vacation destination for over two... Read More
Cheap vacations can still be relaxing, fun and whatever else... Read More
Originally founded in the early 1800s as White Oaks, Gatlinburg... Read More
Traveling with children will be a memorable event ? the... Read More
Planning a Tropical vacation full of lush jungles, secluded beaches,... Read More
Everybody knows someone who has been on one and an... Read More
Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More
Hospitable to all of our visitors, rental agencies on Hilton... Read More
When I was young, family vacations with my parents consisted... Read More
You are the owner of a timeshare and have decided... Read More
The main difference between North and South Lake Tahoe is... Read More
The bed and breakfast experience is unique. You get the... Read More
I have a 17-year-old daughter who is finishing up a... Read More
Making the decision to dive into the world of timeshares... Read More
As a family, we have been visiting Orlando since 1998,... Read More
There are a few patterns to consider when looking for... Read More
Of course you are anxious to take a vacation this... Read More
Rooms for rent! No, not the kind where you are... Read More
Italy is a popular vacation destination for families because it... Read More
Car rental insurance has to be one of the most... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Glenview ..If your vacation time is coming up and you are... Read More
An Award Winning Vacation, Golf, Tennis and Beach ResortIf you... Read More
If you're dreaming of a unique vacation experience, but don't... Read More
Three major cascades at Havasu Creek create a landscape that... Read More
Vancouver will receive a lot of attention as the 2010... Read More
Plan your next vacation where most people call paradise...the Bahamas... Read More
Cairns Rainforest Retreat is ideally located for your unique rainforest... Read More
The home away from home but a little bit more... Read More
More than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year.... Read More
Edinburgh and beyondRoadtrips around BritainIt's hard to overstate the poetry... Read More
"I'm coming home. I've been away too long. Been away... Read More
Bahamas vacation villas are the way to go if you... Read More
Rooms for rent! No, not the kind where you are... Read More
When vacation time rolls around, some people choose to stay... Read More
At the heart of Central Florida lies one of the... Read More
The secret treasure of Davenport's and Kissimmee's townhouses.Though usually Orlando... Read More
Motels became prominent in the United States after the advent... Read More
Families have flocked to Hilton Head, South Carolina as long... Read More
Bahamas vacation resorts are great places to look into if... Read More
Hotels are a large component of Pigeon Forge lodging. As... Read More
Those looking to invest in real estate should not overlook... Read More
This article is meant to be a guide for those... Read More
This may seem like a very strange title for an... Read More
If you are thinking about renting a condo in the... Read More
When staying in Orlando, you really do have a lot... Read More
Vacation Rental |