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Extended Family Trip Planning

Plan a memorable trip for the whole family.

By KevinPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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After logging many miles in the family roadster searching for such attractions as the largest ball of twine or the site of the turning point in the Civil War, or flying cross country visiting places like amusement parks and national attractions, you might be ready for something more. But just because you are ready to show your family the world does not mean you are prepared. Traveling with the family can be daunting if you are not prepared.

Planning

Take the time to develop a feasible timeline and budget. The earlier you begin planning, the more time you will have to cut spending without sacrificing quality. But that's a whole different article. When planning, keep the activities simple (i.e., easy to get to, low cost, etc.) before upgrading to more adventurous outings. If you are traveling overseas or in a different country, especially since you plan on traveling with your family, there are some necessities that might not have occurred to you.

There are many vacation packages that include active itineraries. Don't get lost in the shuffle and keep track of your family. It is much easier to communicate with the members of your family if you know where they are and will be. What do you do if separated from the group? This could be as simple as prepaid cell phones. Establish regular check in times and emergency meetup locations if you happen to get separated. Establish an itinerary and stick to it.

Currency is a necessity, as you will, at the very least, have to deal with exchange rates when making purchases for services such as dining. To alleviate time consuming decisions, pinpoint places that not only appeal to all the family members’ pallets, but are also easily accessible and safe (see "food allergies" below). Also, familiarize yourself with the transportation system in your destination. Are you going to depend on cabs, or are you renting a car? If the latter, you should take some time familiarizing yourself with the traffic laws.

Not only should you check and stay up to date on the weather both before and during the trip, you should apply the same regimen to other possible sources of delay. For example, stay up to date on what is or is not allowed from the countries to which you are traveling by visiting the Transportation Security Administration.

You need to consider if another language is spoken, make sure you know how to ask basic questions (i. e., where is the bathroom). Other considerations on your list of travel basics, whether you are traveling abroad to see the cliffs of dover or taking an eastern Caribbean cruise vacation, are medical in nature.

Medical

What happens if you or a family member gets sick or injured? What about food allergies? Look into getting travel insurance, which usually includes allowances for hospital visits. Know where to go in case of medical emergencies. Certain food allergies might not even be an issue in other countries and they might not have the same accommodations as there are in your country. Not everywhere you go will have your favorite food chain available where you know what you are getting. Know the local cuisine and which dishes might pose problems for those with allergies.

Supplies

Of course you should take your toiletries, but as the novice traveller, upping your travel game will require supplies that will make seemingly trivial aspects of your trek easier. Go over with your family members what they need. Discern between necessities to carry on their person at all times (i.e., passport, IDs, etc.) and what items can stay in the room. If anyone is taking medication, how will you secure it? (Also, make sure you take enough to last through the whole trip).

Weather is another consideration. Are you traveling to an area that has a drastically different climate than the one you are used to? Are there seasons that are more vulnerable to drastic swings in the weather? Traveling from a warm to a colder climate can be problematic if you forget to pack the winter coats. Is there an area to which you are traveling that is known for inclement weather?

Whether it is across the state or around the world, you should always plan out your trips. Having a set itinerary, being mindful of language barriers, keeping the more adventurous activities until later in the trip, and keeping tabs on your family members are all considerations when planning a trip to a different country. Medication, food allergies, and medical insurance are also things to keep in mind when thinking about the safety of your family. You might have to rethink what is necessary, but you will experience a much more fun and safe trip if you take the time to plan.

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