Our budget travel tips for making Holiday Getaways more affordable.
Besides using one of our guidebooks to get unique ideas for places to go, here are some other suggestions we offer.
1. PLAN 2 – 4 ACTIVITIES within a one hour drive time of each other. Base you choices on the season of year. Holiday Trolley Tours are so fun – singing carols and sipping hot cocoa…invite cousins, grandparents, etc. along.
2. If your budget allows, have the VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A TV unit. Play Christmas movies all the way…
3. Choose FAMILY FRIENDLY LODGING. Our family “vacations for a living” so we found budget hotels the norm. We joined hotel memberships and charge cards. We look for hotels with indoor pools and free breakfast. For some reason, if they offer both, they are more likely to be clean and family-friendly environments.
4. HISTORY is easy, if you SNEAK IT IN! Engage your kids by learning with Santa and his elves. Historical homes are basically boring to tour in the summer, but near the holidays, what stuffy old house doesn’t smell sweet with the scent of cinnamon and gingerbread cookies?
What about you?
Do you have some tricks you’ve learned that make traveling to visit relatives at Christmas less stressful but still inexpensive and fun?
If you plan to drive on your next road trip, take along our travel tips to help kids work off some of that pent-up energy during the trip.
Besides using one of their guidebooks to get unique ideas for places to go, here are some other suggestions we offer.
PLAN 2 – 4 ACTIVITIES within a one hour drive time of each other. Base you choices on the season of year.
Know DIRECTIONS & PARKING INFORMATION before you leave. In addition to the site’s website, GPS are good resources for directions.
If in doubt, MAKE RESERVATIONS, especially for tours. Find out what is SUGGESTED TO WEAR, especially for factory or transportation tours. When in doubt, DRESS DOWN and DRESS IN LAYERS.
For the road, PACK SNACKS and BEVERAGES. Also, PACK TRAVEL GAMES & TOYS and plenty of TOILETRIES. Click on the graphics below for some great suggestions like Travel Bingo, Magnetic Games, and Invisible Ink Books.
If your budget allows, have the VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A TV/VCR unit
PLAN PICNICS along the way. (Allow time for a rural/scenic route to take advantage of free, clean picnic facilities).
Choose FAMILY FRIENDLY LODGING.
HISTORY is easy, if you SNEAK IT IN! Engage your kids by learning state facts (people, places, history, etc) using fun and educational activity books found at many gift shops.
Gravitate to MUSEUMS that are HANDS-ON.
SOUVENIRS are fun for kids to pick out and keep as a MEMORY of your visit of favorite places. (They can even be practical, too!)
Think the family budget has no room for a family weekend trip right now?
Read our budget travel tips for making a quick Seasonal Getaway more affordable.
Besides using one of our guidebooks to get unique ideas for places to go, here are some other suggestions we offer.
1. PLAN 2 – 4 ACTIVITIES within a one hour drive time of each other. Base you choices on the season of year. Holiday Trolley Tours are so fun – singing carols and sipping hot cocoa…invite cousins, grandparents, etc. along.
2. For the road, PACK small wrapped gifts of TRAVEL GAMES & TOYS the kids get to open every couple of hours. Why wait for all the gift giving on one day? Spread stocking stuffer giving out there & back.
3. If your budget allows, have the VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A TV/DVD unit. Play Christmas dvds all the way…
4. Choose FAMILY FRIENDLY LODGING. Our family “vacations for a living” so we found budget hotels the norm. We joined hotel memberships and charge cards. We will not stay in places that are dirty. We look for hotels with indoor pools and free breakfast. For some reason, if they offer both, they are more likely to be clean and family-friendly environments.
In suburbs, I spend no more than $70 per night. Beach properties, no more than $100. Those rates are with the extras I look for. For some other family lodging tips read: Three Tips On Choosing Budget Family Accommodation http://bit.ly/1qANyJ.
5. HISTORY is easy, if you SNEAK IT IN! Engage your kids by learning with Santa and his elves. Historical homes are basically boring to tour in the summer, but near the holidays, what stuffy old house doesn’t smell sweet with the scent of cinnamon and gingerbread cookies?
Each Week in December we’ll choose more Holiday Travel Tips and share some examples.
What about you?
Do you have some tricks you’ve learned that make traveling to visit relatives at Christmas less stressful but still inexpensive and fun?
Ok, moms, not only do you have to plan the next great family vacation, but you’re also the person who should hold, in your care ONLY, a wondrous backpack that keeps peace. Here is a Suggested Checklist:
Extra set of house and vehicle keys
Medical Insurance Cards plus prescription meds handy
A secure assortment of OTC meds – esp. ibuprofen – kiddie & adult versions
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