Taking a family vacation is a great time to bond, but long travel times can make even the most patient children antsy. This can lead to unnecessary bickering and a damper on the family fun. This article will help ease some of the travel-time tension by giving you some ideas to keep your children entertained throughout the whole trip.
Dress in layers and you are sure to be ready for any weather. Weather can be unpredictable, especially if you are visiting an unfamiliar place. By having several layers of clothing, you can add or remove pieces depending on the temperature. This is especially useful for all day adventures which start in the cool morning but warm up later in the day.
When selecting a location to travel to, there is no better source of information than a fellow traveler. Other travelers with similar needs and plans, can tell you what destinations are must-sees and what areas you should try to avoid. No guidebook can replace the first-hand experience of another person or family.
Before leaving on a trip, find out and write down the addresses of the American embassies in the countries you’ll be visiting. While the embassy is not a traveler’s aid office, they can help you if your passport is stolen or if you find yourself in some kind of unexpected legal trouble while overseas.
Staying calm and collected on board your airplane can help you avoid a major breeding ground for travel stress. Conditions are cramped and unpleasant, most flights are boring, and everyone is eager to get the ordeal over with. The way to keep these stress factors from getting to you is to focus on the fact that they are inevitable. When you eventually arrive at your destination they will melt away; try not to obsess over them on your way there.
Only pack things that are necessary. The less things you have with you, the less chance you will have of losing valuables or risking having them stolen. Limit the number of shoes you bring along since they are usually the biggest and heaviest items people carry with them.
Select a hotel in an older, more central part of town if your travel budget will possibly allow it. While these centrally-located hotels are usually more expensive, they are also much more vibrant and memorable. They are right in the middle of the action. Suburban hotels can be cheaper, but the hassle of their isolated locations often offsets your savings.
Audio books are great to keep you and the family entertained when traveling! Did you know that most people can check audio books out for free if they have a valid library card? Many times you can even browse the selection of books that are available online and complete the checkout process right from your vehicle or even the airport!
A family vacation is a great time to bond, but as stated at the beginning of the article, long travel times can lead to boredom and bickering. Hopefully, this article has given you some great tips for easing the travel boredom, and will make your next vacation a memorable one.