Preparing for a family vacation is the easy part; actually getting on the road or traveling by train or plane is where the fun part can become a bit murky.  Family vacations, while they can have their ups and downs, can still be enjoyed by utilizing a couple of pre-vacation tips and ideas to make the road less bumpy.

Ready, set, go!  If you are traveling by plane, ensure everyone in your family has passports.  With the new rules and regulations for plane travel in place, you can make the experience more palpable by making sure the entire family gets a good night’s sleep before the eventful day.  Also, have a good breakfast and prepare to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to flight time.  You can check on line with the airline carrier to determine what can and cannot be taken on board the flight.

Bring some games for the kids to play with, along with coloring books and crayons for the younger children.  This will keep them busy while waiting to board the flight.  If the kids are flying for the first time, bring some candies or gum which will help alleviate any ear problems due to pressurized cabin.  Check to see what amenities the airline has to offer.  If they don’t, ask if you can bring along certain games for the kids to enjoy on the flight. Certain electronic games may be prohibited.

If you plan on a family vacation by car, there are several tips which can make the driving experience for the entire family a pleasure.  Have the car checked to determine if the tires have enough air (including the spare), the oil and filter need changing, the windshield wipers are working and there is enough windshield wiper fluid, and the air conditioner is also working properly for the trip.  Ensure the car seats are appropriate for the smaller children and they are comfortable and secure.

Bring along games for the kids to play with, specifically magnetic or electronic games which will hold their attention.  Stop frequently at rest stops and lunch as well.  If you are taking the scenic route, there are always places to stop and stretch your legs while the family enjoys the view.  Pack some snacks in a cooler and keep it in the back seat.  Add water, juices, and fruits as well.  A blanket and first aid kit, along with a roadside kit in case of an emergency, is also recommended.  These items can be kept in the trunk.
It’s also a good idea to have the trip mapped out, either through AAA or online via MapQuest.

Planning a vacation by train can be a bit more exciting for the kids, and a lot more relaxing for the adults.  Trains have plenty of space for the kids to move about, and the sleeping arrangements are quite suitable for families as well.  While the high end trains, such as the Orient Express or similar lines offer three meals a day, check to see what your particular line is offering.  You may have to bring your own food.

By the way if you plan on an ocean cruise, passports must also be updated.  Choose a fun cruise which has activities for kids such as Disney World Cruise or Carnival Cruise Line.  This is probably the most relaxing and enjoyable mode of transportation for any family vacation.

Family travel can not only be a fun time, but even if something goes array, you can always look back in laughter at the mishaps and problems which seemed insurmountable then but which are hysterically funny now.  Bon Voyage!

When deciding upon a destination for a family vacation, it is important to choose places which are conducive to kids and adults as well.  Including a mixture of fun, learning, and adventures are prerequisites for any great family vacation.

For example, a trip to the Grand Canyon is not only fun but educational as well.  Perhaps you have a teen who loves photography.  This would be a perfect place for him to exercise his photographic skills.  Or perhaps one of your kids is proficient in a specific second language, such as German.  Traveling to Germany can afford the teen the opportunity to practice the language and engage in conversations with local people throughout the trip.

Introducing children and young adults to different cultures, whether in the US or abroad, can become an invaluable tool both educationally and socially.  A trip to the Amish country can be just as rewarding as a trip to Japan.  In addition, the more children and young teens travel, the better equipped they will be when heading off to college as well as gaining a better understanding of other cultures and people.

As children, we didn’t have the opportunities most kids have today.  A family trip was more for enjoyment and relaxation than anything else.  Today, families can venture to far off places where, for a short time, they can learn about local customs, recipes, music, and the daily lives of those living in a small town.  For example, perhaps you are taking the family on a trip to Greece.  One of the most magical places is Santorini, an island off Greece.  All of the homes are white, and the town’s main source of food is derived from the sea.   Donkeys are used to transport people up the hilly slopes to the center of town.  People come from all over the world to watch the sunset in Santorini.

Kenya is another place in which a family can enjoy the activities offered and, at the same time, learn the significance and importance of wildlife conservation.  Visiting a Masai village to learn how they live, work, and play is an experience no child or adult can ever forget.  For example, photographs of Masai women are forbidden as they believe it steals their souls.  Respecting the tradition of other cultures is just part of the learning experience when traveling to any foreign country.

Experiencing life in different countries, up close and personal, is important for our kids.  Learning tolerance, respect, and preservation of our environment and wildlife are equally important.  The next time you decide to take a vacation, think about the places which are not only enjoyable but offer more than just a typical vacation.  Whether it’s traveling to Lancaster, Pa. to learn the customs of the Amish or taking a flight to Africa, where wildlife conservation has become more urgent than ever before; family vacations can incorporate activity, involvement, and a learning experience unlike any other.

One can spend hours and hours online researching the many different destinations around the world suitable for family vacations.  Whether you are a seasoned traveler, or taking a family vacation for the first time, finding a place that is both affordable and unique can be like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack.

More often than not, you may find that packing light layers of clothing, getting in the car, and traveling to bed and breakfasts within your state may not only be a surprising, but delightfully unexpected experience.  There are a myriad of bed and breakfasts around the US which offer accommodations for kids.  In fact, you can find B&B’s from New York to California online which offer you the opportunity to explore new areas within your state, which have a wide variety of activities specifically designed for families.

One such place is Santa’s Village in Chicago.  This 55-acre theme park has been around for 40 years.  It offers over 20 rides for kids and adults, and has recently added Coney Island, Santa’s World, and Old MacDonald’s Farm.  There is also a petting zoo, pony rides, and a host of other activities which your family can enjoy at an affordable price.   In addition, next to Santa’s Village is the Racing Rapids Water Park which offers a wide variety of water rides for the entire family.

Indianapolis is another state which offers B&B’s and is home to the famous Indy 500.  With its well-known Indianapolis Zoo, you can participate in the Dolphin Adventure and visit over 300 animals in their habitat, or walk through the indoor garden where you will come upon thousands of butterflies and tropical plants.  This is just the beginning of an unexpected adventure.  There are museums, the IMAX movie theatre, and an incredible array of foods that will soothe your taste buds and delight your kids as well.  If any member of your family is a sports fan, a visit to Victory Field will leave them in awe.

On the flip side, you may come across some websites which are offering weekly specials to the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.  Travelzoo.com offers incredible packages for families.  For example: There is an all inclusive one week stay in Cancun with an upgrade to a family suite.  Kids are free!  At a price of $99.00, you can’t beat this vacation in the affordability category.  Air fare is not included.

There are many roads that lead to surprising and unexpected results.  Whether you decide to go camping, stay at B&B’s, or spend time in a city that has theme parks and an abundance of activities suited for the entire family, the most fun and pleasure can be derived when the planning stage is removed from the equation and you just wing it!

Do you remember your first trip abroad?  Did you have a problem communicating with the concierge at your hotel, or perhaps the waiter at a restaurant, or perhaps a shop clerk didn’t quite understand you.  This happens time and again for those of us who never learned a second language.  It also may diminish the ability to fully enjoy a foreign city and all it has to offer.

Studies have shown that children can learn a new language from very early on and this is most beneficial to them in their adult years.  More importantly, most public schools today house students who speak a combined language of over 30 or more, and it would be wonderful if all children were able to converse with their peers by learning several languages as well.

A lot of children really enjoy learning a new language and will fully immerse themselves in the process.  If your children are young and you think they may benefit from being bilingual this is the time to get started.

Like most of us who have tried to learn a second language, older adults find it much more difficult.  Perhaps there is too much on our minds to be able to absorb the new language in all its complexity.  Therefore, when we travel to foreign destinations we make sure that we take along a dictionary so that we can at least learn specific words that are important.

Teaching a child how to speak a foreign language early on is important whether they travel with their family or whether they find a pen pal and decide to meet them sometime in their adult life.  Moreover, foreign languages are not only complimentary to the ear, but allow one to fully become immersed in the culture and the history of the country visited.

While many people from foreign countries come to the US and at least attempt to communicate through the use of English, it is only fitting that we respond in kind by learning a second language to be able communicate with others no matter where we travel to.

Fear of travel; whether by plane, car, ocean liner or train is not only a challenge for the person affected by it, but for those who are traveling with the person as well. There have been many cases in which a family member, for example, is at the airport and suddenly has an anxiety attack either before or after boarding the plane. So too, perhaps a vacation by car may cause distress for the driver who fears tunnels or bridges.

While the fear is real for the person experiencing it, the toll it exacts on family members can literally ruin a trip. There are ways in which the fear of travel can be alleviated. For example, those who have a fear of flying can be helped either through therapy or by simply visiting the airport a few times and watch the planes take off.

For more serious anxiety, there are groups available which deal with the fear of flying and literally teach people to overcome the fear by taking them on a parked plane and allow them to come to grips with the overwhelming fear that is within them.

For those who fear tunnels and bridges, there are also groups which help people overcome anxiety by driving with them through tunnels and over bridges, and teach breathing exercises and other methods to calm them.

Just as there are groups who help people overcome agoraphobia, which is the fear of being in open and public places, there are a myriad of groups which can offer hands-on therapy for those who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks associated with travel.

Ever since September 11th, there are a small minority of people who have been afraid to board a plane. This is understandable. There is a general anxiety among most people who fly. The problem is that when the anxiety overtakes one’s ability to enjoy life, such as taking a vacation; this is the time when intervention is needed.

Of course, in mild cases, taking a different route by car to a travel destination may be the answer. However, it is unlikely that one would be able to avoid a bridge or two. In this case, the best advice is to talk with those accompanying you; open the windows, breathe in the air, and realize that nothing will happen once you approach the bridge. Yes, you will feel anxious and you may even experience lightheadedness, but you’ll never faint, have a heart attack, or anything as dire as you imagine.

For traveling on a flight, the best course of action would be to talk about the fear if you can; breathe deeply, and focus on something other than what you are experiencing. Although it is easy to say, it is quite hard for the person affected. Remember, however, anxiety attacks do not last longer than five or ten minutes, even though it may seem longer. They do pass. The fight and flight symptom of the anxiety attack diminishes when the body no longer thinks it’s in danger.

Anticipating that something will happen can trigger a negative response. Take a short flight to another city. For example, a 30 minute flight from NY to Boston or DC. Drive with a friend or loved one and take a tunnel or a bridge. Do this a few times before the actual vacation. This can help you to overcome your fear of travel as well as dissipate the negative anticipation which sets off the anxiety thereafter.