| Trying to select the right vacation for your family | | | | wealth of information about almost every |
| can be a daunting task. Some want the sun, sand | | | | destination imaginable. Type in your destination |
| and sea while others want the dramatic scenery | | | | choices and read up on what they have to offer. |
| and history. How do you decide where to go that | | | | Also research the traditions and safety aspects |
| will satisfy the entire family with the least amount | | | | of your selected destinations. |
| of conflict? | | | | 6. Research the hotel choices available. Remember |
| 1. Make a list of the destinations that interest you. | | | | that a foreign hotel's star rating may be different |
| Keep the list to a maximum of four selections | | | | from yours at home. Sometimes a 5 star hotel in |
| and to practical destinations. Most of us would | | | | North America could be the equivalent to a 3 star |
| love to travel to the wilds of Africa but logistically | | | | hotel in South America. |
| it might not be that practical. Keep in mind that | | | | 7. Gather brochures from a travel agent and |
| small children and the elderly could be very | | | | combine the information with what you found on |
| uncomfortable traveling to destinations that have | | | | the internet. The more knowledge you have the |
| long travel times. | | | | better off you will be. |
| 2. Ask family, friends, and co-workers if they | | | | 8. Narrow your choices down to two destinations |
| have traveled to any of the choices you have | | | | and two hotels in each destination. Discuss these |
| selected. If not, ask where they have traveled to | | | | options with your travel agent. They can usually |
| and what they enjoyed about it. Write down the | | | | give you first hand information on your selections. |
| locations that sound most interesting. | | | | 9. Keep your price points in mind. Don't select a |
| 3. Make a list of the families must haves and nice | | | | particular destination just because it seems to |
| to haves. Must haves could include such things as | | | | have a low price. Sometimes a low price is there |
| an all inclusive plan, good beach, and water sports. | | | | for a reason that you will only find out about once |
| Nice to haves could include, private plunge pools, | | | | you arrive in that destination. These could include |
| golf courses and hiking trails. Keep the locations | | | | a beach located across from a major roadway, a |
| that contain most of your must haves. | | | | three hour drive to your hotel from the airport or |
| 4. Cross off the choices that are almost | | | | limited running water during your stay. |
| impossible to have on one combined vacation. For | | | | 10. Make your final choice by seeing how you feel |
| example, if one family member wants go white | | | | about these destinations throughout the week. |
| water rafting and most destinations don't offer it | | | | Which one keeps coming back into your mind? If |
| then eliminate that choice, maybe you can do that | | | | one keeps appearing more than the others then |
| next year. | | | | that's your choice. Enjoy your vacation!!! |
| 5. Do your research. The Internet provides a | | | | |