Planning a Family Vacation: How to Plan Your Dream Vacation

You want to travel to the most exotic and exciting place in the entire world?   How big can you dream?  

Ideally, you want this to be your dream vacation. Your family should become excited about it, so they enjoy it too.

How do you start to plan a family vacation like this?

Begin with a well organized, but flexible vacation plan. Flexibility is important when travelling, so have a back-up plan, just in case. Now comes the task of organizing the vacation, in such a way that it makes everyone happy. Family members have personal preferences, as their dreams, thoughts and ideas can vary.

Begin to talk to your family seriously about travelling. Encourage them to find travel brochures or magazines, with information about exotic locations. Include stay at home, cross-country travel and vacation options. 

Have a family meeting to learn everyone’s personal preferences regarding destination, availability and tourist attractions. Where do they want to go? Be prepared to have an open mind. What you picture as your dream vacation, may be less appealing to teenagers. Some destinations are more appropriate for small children. 

Parents and grandparents have personal likes and dislikes, too.

Take everyone’s thoughts and ideas into consideration, remembering to plan things in which everyone can participate. Find out what activities are available for you and your spouse, your teens and small children, as well as their grandparents.  

Plan to travel as a family unit, but if this is not possible, allow for other options.

For instance, as a family, you may decide to stay in the country or take a cross-country vacation to the mountains. Consider purchasing a luxury motor home. Look at different models, suitable for everyone.

Maybe you, your wife and children prefer to travel in one motor home, while their grandparents want to travel in their own motor home. Consider purchasing a second one! Children and teenagers might prefer camping. Be prepared for a list of camping supplies.  

Perhaps your personal preference is a luxury vacation, in an exotic location. Go online with your family and find tentative destinations. Inquire about reservations. Consider flying there as a family. Maybe your parents are already vacationing in some exotic location where you can visit them.

A dream vacation, with no additional cost factor means the sky is the limit, so go for it!

Consult travel agencies with regard to travel date and time options. Find out the best season for tourists to visit certain countries. Is there travel insurance available? Are there travel restrictions? Will there be a variety of accommodations? What security measures are necessary?

Make certain that the ultimate dream vacation is appropriate for all family members. Change family schedules to accommodate everyone. Set up new school or work schedules. Consider home schooling, as a possible travel option. Decide what you need to take with you.     

Inquire about necessary immunization. Arrange doctor’s visits ahead of time, as several shots may be required. Be certain everyone is healthy and will have necessary medications.

This is just the beginning. 

Make travel plans for your pets or arrange appropriate care for them. 

Make certain that your home, vehicles and personal possessions are safe while you are away. They should be secure and insured. 

Plan a wonderful, well-organized dream vacation and you will have one.