Planning a vacation doesn't have to be difficult. Granted it is more complicated the more people that are involved. The key is to find out what people like to do, see if there are any common bonds among these activities and then do the research so that everyone feels involved. Let's get started.
Pick a Destination
That can be harder than you think. Can you afford air travel? Do you want to explore within your own country or outside of it? Do you have the time and energy to plan an overseas excursion? If not, can you pay to have someone do all the booking of hotels, restaurants, etc. for you? Even when you cruise, you need to get passports and budget for extras. Before long that all-inclusive package becomes somewhat limiting, unless you are willing to spend a lot more. And for a person, who has not traveled much, you never stop to think if you could have somehow done it more efficiently yourself.
Decide Whom the Vacation is For
Talk to people or try to remember your earliest travel experiences. As a child, do you remember the Eiffel Tower? If you don't remember your childhood travels, it is pretty safe to assume that your children won't either. Thus, don't try to make the vacation revolve around your children until they reach an age where they can appreciate it. You sacrifice a lot for them and always will. Even though they will be accompanying you, keep your priorities in perspective.
Determine What You Like to Do on Vacation
If one person's idea of a vacation is to visit his mother and sit on a hot, humid porch, while long lost relatives come by to visit, then don't expect your spouse and children to be overcome with joy. Likewise, if the kids want to go to Disneyland, make sure there will be things there that will interest adults as well. Try to get everyone to make a list of not only places they would like to visit, but also things they would like to do on this visit. Keep in mind what you like to do in your everyday life (draw, dance, play sports) and find a connection with your destination (art museums with pencil drawings, a dance exhibition, a sports hall of fame). You get the idea.
Narrow it Down.
It is often the case that vacations planned by others can be so crammed full of sightseeing that it takes on the pace of your rat-race lifestyle. On the other hand, stopping for ice cream or other activities with a busload of fellow travelers can use up a big chunk of your precious vacation time. Either way you are not able to absorb life around you. If you do plan your own trip, keep your activities to two or three items per day. Between eating, taking photos and bathroom breaks, not to mention actually getting to your destination, you will do well to accomplish that.
Be Flexible.
If you do bite off more than you can chew, consider another visit sometime in the future. We are seldom able to do and see everything we want to on a vacation. Perhaps that is not such a bad thing. Happy accidents can occur. Let's say you are driving to your next destination, and you see a road that looks interesting. It doesn't require any special equipment, you have plenty of gas and there is food and water on board. It's time to explore. Sometimes being spontaneous can lead you to the real nature of the place you are visiting. Experiencing the unknown can be one of the most memorable moments of your vacation.
So do your homework. Even though you might resent having to work so hard to have fun, it will pay off when that vacation date finally arrives. Don't be afraid to delegate and get other members of the family to find out about reservations, travel times, costs or just downloading maps of the areas you will be visiting. Thus, your family vacation can be an affair planned and shared by all.
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