Family reunions can be a lot of fun. You get to see family members you may not have seen for a couple of years. Perhaps, there are ‘new’ family members you haven’t met. The good news is there are plenty of family reunion locations throughout the U.S. The possibilities are endless!

It’s important to make arrangements early and find a place that works for everyone. This is a good way to prevent family feuds! If you wait too long to plan your family reunion, your favorite hotel or resort could be booked solid. Also, family members may not be able to attend due to previous travel plans.

How to Plan a Family Reunion, Cut Costs, and Have a Good Time

Book Your Family Reunion Locations Early! Photo credit: Stock exchange-Sign-Helen Bobis

Book early

Beach family reunion locations are popular. The most popular beach vacation destination is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you have your heart set on having your family reunion in SC then you better book your location early. Otherwise, the entire family will be left out in the cold.

Tie your family reunion to an important date

If grandma and grandpa are celebrating 65 years of marriage, celebrate their special day at the family reunion. Building your family reunion around a holiday could be tricky. Big holiday’s like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are during the travel ‘high season.’ You may not be able to find accommodations or someone may not be able to attend.

Hold your family reunion in the off-season

It may be cost effective to hold your family reunion in the off-season. Family reunion locations such as Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and other popular destinations can be expensive during the ‘high season’ which is usually during the summer. Some family members may not be able to afford to attend. Take this into consideration when planning your family reunion. Holding in the off-season could work for everyone.

Meet at a family member’s home

Holding your family reunion at a family member’s home is another way to cut costs. Perhaps, a family member with five or more acres of land will be willing to host the family reunion. Everyone can bring something, a hot meal, desert, or soft drinks. Of course, cash would probably be accepted too!

Decide on the size of your family reunion

Your family reunion doesn’t have to be large. A small and intimate family reunion could be more inviting. First-time family reunion planners may want to plan a smaller affair. You’ll get a sense of what it’s like to plan reunion.

Raise money for your family reunion 

Send out an email blast and ask family members to have garage sales, silent auctions, raffles, car washes, rummage sales, etc. to raise money for your family reunion.

Plan cost-effective family activities

Ask family members what they like to do. Ask family members what their kids like to do. You can’t please everyone. But you can plan activities ahead of time to keep people entertained. Ideas are:

• Renting a karaoke machine.
• Set up a sound system outside (if you’re holding at your home).
• Booking golf outing.
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Going to the park.
• Renting a ‘bouncy castle’ or other inflatable rentals.

Now you know how to plan a family reunion, cut costs, and have a good time! Keep the lines of communication open. Correspond via email or Facebook. Keep in mind that everyone may not have a computer or Facebook page. Contact family members when you have the date, time, and location settled. Keep family up-to-date with the latest information. Happy planning!

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Family travel is no reason to go sabotage your diet or slack-off on your workouts. It’s okay to indulge once in a while, but pigging out on your vacation may leave you less than satisfied, especially if you recently lost a lot of weight. The good news is you can eat healthy and lose weight on vacation. Don’t believe me. Here’s my story.

How I lost weight on my family travel to Great Britain

My dad and I took our first international trip together to Great Britain in 1997. I was nervous, he was nervous, and we both lost weight. I lost about 15 pounds, and my dad lost about 12 pounds. How did we release the pounds? Keep reading.

Family travel usually includes sightseeing. Many destinations offer walking tours. Not only is walking is a low-impact form of exercise, but it’s perfect for the entire family. You lose weight by spending time with each other walking around the sites. It’s a win-win situation!

The trip that I took with my dad included a lot of walking tours. We walked around the gardens of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace (England), Edinburgh Castle (Scotland), the town of Llangollen (Wales), and many other places throughout Great Britain.

Tip: Bring a good pair of walking/hiking shoes; otherwise, your feet will be sore.

Since my dad and I were visiting/touring another country, our eating habits and schedules were off. This was a good thing. We mostly had buffet style dinners; however, we weren’t used to some of the British foods. I wasn’t and still am not a big fan of lamb (I’m now a vegetarian), so I ate the fruit and vegetables.

I tried the “pop or soda,” but it tasted flat to me. I stayed hydrated by drinking water.

Tip: Avoid drinking alcohol or soda when you fly. You could become bloated or thirsty during your flight.

I was sad to leave Great Britain because it’s a wonderful country rich in art, culture, and history. There’s a lot to see which is why most people visit over and over again.

When my dad and I came home, my mom and sister didn’t recognize us. They were stunned by our weight loss.

So you see. It’s possible to eat healthy and lose weight while your family travels. I did!

How Families Can Eat Healthy and Lose Weight on Vacation

Family Travel: Eat Healthy and Lose Weight Photo Credit: ChrisWatk, visit www.dolcevita-images.com

Reduce the amount of soda, sugary fruit juices, and energy drinks you drink

Drinking water is good for your family. Kids may want sugary drinks, but they’re not good for them. Purchase bottled water (recycle bottles when possible) or use a filter system if you stay in vacation rental condo or home. It’s okay to have a ‘sugary drink’ once in a while, but don’t make a habit of it while you’re on vacation. Why? You and your kids could become sluggish and may not feel like doing anything. You’ll miss out on all the fun.

Avoid fast food restaurants and mall food courts

It’s easy to grab something to eat at a food court because it’s fast and convenient. It’s best to skip food courts and eat a healthy meal at a restaurant.

If you stay in a vacation home, shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, etc. Buy organic when you can. Cook a healthy meal for your family. Let the kids help too!

Eat a good breakfast

Start your family travel off right by eating a good, hearty breakfast. Skip the stack of pancakes with a side of bacon and eggs and have a heart-healthy breakfast such as whole grain toast, whole grain cereal, egg whites, egg white omelet, oatmeal, fresh fruit, low-calorie/sugar fruit smoothie, or some other yummy breakfast.

FYI: Most restaurants have gluten-free foods and figure friendly breakfasts’.

Shop at local grocery stores and farmers markets for healthy snacks

Families staying in a vacation rental home can shop at the local grocery stores and farmers markets. Buying local and organic is a great way to stay healthy and lose weight on your family vacation. It’s also a good way to support and grow the local economy.

Ask for meals to be prepared ‘lightly’

Family travel may include eating at restaurants, delis, diners, and cafés. Don’t be afraid to ask your waiter or waitress if the chef or cook can prepare a meal differently. For example, if the chicken dinner you want is fried, ask if you could have it baked. When you order a salad, ask for dressing on the side. Instead of ordering a creamy ranch dressing, get a light dressing such as balsamic vinegar. Ask for substitutes, if available.

Use the above tips to eat healthy and lose weight on your family vacation. You can stick to your diet and exercise plan when you’re on a family vacation. Happy travels!

What’s your secret to eating healthy and losing weight on your family vacation? Share.

CRUISE CONTEST: Win a free cruise! 

Bonus Tip!

When possible, walk or bike instead of renting a car. Take advantage of public transportation too.

Related articles

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It’s easy to plan your family vacation, right?

Not so fast.

Families are diverse. Everyone has their favorite travel vacation destination. Teens may not want to go on a family vacation because they think they’re too old to hang out with the family. Ugh! What are parents to do?

Never fear, GuestQuest Vacations is here. We take the stress out of planning your family vacation.

5 Hot Tips to Help You Plan Your Family Vacation

"5 Hot Tips to Help You Plan Your Family Vacation" Photo credit: Irina Naumets

Don’t wait until the last minute

It’s not a good idea to wait until the last minute to plan your family vacation. Why? You could miss out on fantastic deals and specials that only last for a limited time.

Most families take a family vacation each year. Right?

Think about next year’s vacation a few weeks after you come home from this year’s family vacation. Why?

It’s a good way to jumpstart your vacation planning. This way you won’t stress out about it next year. You don’t have to book your family travel immediately but start thinking about it.

Do whatever you must to alleviate the stress of planning your family vacation.

Ask your family for travel ideas

Moms and dads involve the kids with planning the family vacation. As children get older, they may not want to keep visiting the same places over and over again. It’s fun to travel to a new destination.

Ask kids where they’d like to visit. It’s a great opportunity to education them about the U.S., Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Africa, etc. Children can only learn so much from books. By experiencing new places, they’ll have a better understanding of the culture and history of a location.

Visit family

How long has it been since your kids saw grandma and grandpa? Many parents retire to warm and sunny areas such as Arizona, Florida, California, etc. If it’s been a while since the kids visited their grandparents, book a flight or take a road trip.

Read the travel section of your local newspaper

Most newspapers have a travel section and invite readers to submit photos and travel articles. This is a great way to plan your family vacation. Find out where other families traveled and what they liked about their destination and accommodations.

Purchase or read travel magazines online

Thanks to the internet, most travel publications can be found online. Choose one or two magazines and read the travel articles and reviews. Keep an open mind when you read reviews which could be biased for one reason or another. You may want to participate in Twitter chats or forums to find the best family vacation destination.

What’s your “hot” tip for planning a family vacation? Share.

Free Download: Travel Brochures. Start planning your family vacation now!

There’s no doubt that frequent family travelers have a list of must-haves. But you can’t squeeze everything into a suitcase, car, or carry-on bag. Below is a list of must-haves for families that are ‘seasoned’ travelers and those who are taking their first trip.

7 Frequent Family Travel Must-Haves

A first-aid kit is a must-have for your family travel and vacation. Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Healthy family

You probably already know that it’s important to get regular checkups. Your health is a MUST-HAVE for your family travel. Traveling when you’re sick is never a good idea. You won’t have any energy and you can make the people around you sick.

It’s never a good idea to travel with with sick children.

Make sure everyone sees the doctor before you leave on your family vacation. It’s important that your family is in good health to travel. Otherwise, you could find yourself dealing with sickness on your vacation, and you trip will be a short one.

Toys

Family road trips can be fun! However, it’s important to bring your children’s favorite toys. Allow kids to choose one or two ‘special’ toys to bring with them. This is a great way to keep your children entertained in the air or on the road.

Snacks

Bring plenty of snacks with you. Kids often say, “I’m hungry!” This isn’t something you want to hear while you’re traveling 30,000 feet in the air. Shop for and bring nutritious snacks that will satisfy and make your kids happy.

Comforts from home

Family travel can be a pleasant experience when you bring comforts from home with you. Bring your MP3 player, iPod, iPad, favorite robe, beauty products, etc. Don’t pack too much because you don’t want to be weighed down by your luggage. Bring the essentials that will make you travel more enjoyable.

Medicines

It’s important to bring your medicines with you. Before you take your family on vacation, see your doctor and get ALL medicines refilled. Bring your doctors’ contact information with you in case you need to call your children’s pediatrician or your heart doctor.

First-aid kit (pets too)

Accidents can happen on your family vacation. Bring a first-aid kit that includes the following:

• Band-aids
• Eye care
• Antiseptic
• Rubbing alcohol
• Vinyl gloves
• Burn ointment
• Tapes, wraps, and dressings
• Tweezers
• Sharp scissors
• Cotton balls
• Styptic pencil
• Safety pins
• Thermometer
• Blankets
• Cold packs
• Splint
• Soap
• Calamine lotion
• Emergency phone numbers

Some families travel with their pets, it’s important to bring a ‘pet’ first-aid kit as well. Include the following in your ‘pet’ first-aid kit:

• Antiseptic
• Pet first-aid book
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swabs
• Cotton balls
• Vinyl gloves
• Styptic pencil
• Tapes, wraps, and dressings
• Tweezers
• Sharp scissors
• Safety pins
• Pet thermometer
• Blankets
• Cotton swabs
• Splint
• Soap
• Veterinarian phone number
• Pet alert card

Camera

Family travel wouldn’t be complete without a digital camera or video recorder to capture your travel memories. Keep your camera or video recorder and its accessories in a protective case. Bring enough memory cards. Of course, you can always purchase more as you need them.

Review these “7 frequent family travel must-haves” before you take your family vacation. Happy travels!

What is your number one family travel must-have? Share.

Free Download: Travel Brochures. Start planning your family vacation now!

Related family travel must-haves articles

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• How to Take Your Family on a Family Vacation That Pleases Everyone (guestquest.com/blog)

A family vacation is when a family comes together to share a wonderful travel experience; to create memories that will last a lifetime. Sometimes, it works out that way. And sometimes you have travel memories you’d like to forget.

“Are we there yet?”

“I’m hungry!”

“I have to go to the bathroom!”

How many times have you heard those phrases while you’re speeding down the highway in your SUV or RV with the entire family? What about when you’re 30,000 feet in the air?

Let’s face it; taking the family on vacation can be an adventure in and of itself. Please everyone and you’ll have an enjoyable family vacation.

You can please everyone on your family vacation. Photo credit: Billy Alexander-Stock Exchange

Have a meeting about your family vacation

Before you surprise your family with a family vacation, hold a meeting to discuss it instead. Hear and listen to what your kids have to say about ‘suggested’ family vacation destinations.

Teenagers may not be thrilled to travel during the summer if they look forward to attending summer camp. Toddlers may not be ready for whitewater river rafting.

Ask everyone for their feedback. Hint: This shows your children that you care about what they think and feel.

Once you’ve gathered the data, choose a family vacation destination that receives the entire family’s seal of approval.

Ask family members to write (help younger kids with this) down their “top 7 vacation destinations”

This piggybacks on Point #1 about holding a family meeting about your vacation. Asking all family members to write down their top 7 travel vacation destinations is a good way to see where everyone would like to go on vacation.

Review all of the selections and narrow it down to the best location for your vacation. Keep the list of vacation destinations for next year, or plan a vacation over the holidays when kids are out of school.

Request travel brochures and guides

You can get plenty of family vacation ideas from travel brochures and guides. Most travel websites such as GuestQuest.com offers free travel brochures and guides. With a click of a button, you’ll have plenty of travel information that will help you find the best family vacation for everyone.

Speak with relatives and friends

Speaking with relatives and friends is a great way to discover a family vacation that will please everyone. Ask questions such as:

• Where did you vacation last year?
• Did you stay at a hotel or resort? Other accommodation?
• How ‘kid friendly’ was your vacation destination?
• How ‘pet friendly’ was the lodging?
• Did you have a good time?
• How much did it cost?

Read online travel reviews

TripAdvisor provides readers with reviews of vacation destinations along with ratings for accommodations. Reading reviews about family vacation destinations can help you plan yours. But, it’s important to read reviews with a keen eye. One family may have had a terrible experience, while another had the time of their life. This is where your ‘mother or father’s intuition’ kicks in. Follow your gut instinct.

Always choose the family vacation destination that’s best for you and your family. Use the above tips as a guide to planning your next family vacation. Whatever you do … have a fun family vacation. Bon voyage!

How do you choose your family vacations? Share.

Free Download: Travel Brochures. Start planning your family vacation now!

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The latest travel trend is grandparents traveling with grandchildren — with and sometimes without parents. Grandparents traveling with grandchildren can bond with them and create memories that will last a lifetime. Below are tips for grandparents traveling with grandchildren — follow these and you’ll have the time of your life!

Tips for Trendy Grandparents Traveling with Grandchildren

Trendy Grandparents Travel with Grandchildren

Choose a travel destination that’s “right” for everyone.

It’s important to plan a family vacation that appeals to everyone; otherwise, traveling with grandchildren may not be fun. Ask your grandchildren where they’d like to go and what they’d like to do on vacation. Review all of the travel ideas and plan a vacation that everyone will enjoy.

Air travel.

You don’t want air travel to be your first vacation with your grandchildren. However, after you’ve traveled a few times, plan a beach or adventure vacation that requires you to fly to the destination.

Tip #1: Book non-stop flights vs. ones with layovers, especially if you’re traveling with small children.

Tip #2: Avoid bringing a lot of luggage. It’s best to travel with carry-on bags because it’s more convenient.

Traveling with grandchildren through the airport can be an adventure in and of itself. Bring lots of snacks and activities for small children. Teens will probably bring their iPad, iPod, laptop, and other electrical gadgets. Teach grandchildren travel etiquette and you’ll have a pleasant time flying the friendly skies. And so will the other passengers!

FYI: When grandparents travel with grandchildren, they get to teach them things such as how to fish, proper travel etiquette, how to pitch a tent, how to appreciate a sunrise and sunset, and much more.

Make plenty of stops when you take a road trip vacation.

Kids can become tired and cranky, but then again, so can adults. It’s important to stop at rest stops and or national parks when you take a road trip. Get out of the RV, car, or SUV and stretch your legs. You may even want to have a picnic lunch.

Tip #3: Breathing the fresh air will be good for everyone. Grandchildren will probably become sleepy and sleep all the way to your next destination.

Bring all required documentation and medications.

Make sure you bring the proper documentation if you travel abroad. Don’t forget to bring your medications and any medications your grandchildren may have to take.

Have fun!

Traveling with grandchildren is fun. Make sure to travel at your grandchildren’s pace and don’t force them to try activities if they don’t feel comfortable. Let them choose restaurants and fun activities such as miniature golf.

Related articles

Traveling with grandchildren (www.independenttraveler.com)

Air travel tips (grandparents.about.com)

6 tips for traveling with your grandchildren (money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2009/09/28/6-tips-for-traveling-with-your-grandchildren)

Does your family travel throughout the year? Are you preserving your family travel memories? Let’s face it; kids don’t stay small and young forever. Before you know it, they’ll be teenagers thinking about which college or university to attend. Don’t allow your family travel memories to slip through your hands. Below are 5 ways you can capture your family travel memories. Revisit them anytime you want!

Preserve Family Travel Memories That Will Last a Lifetime

Preserve Your Family Travel Memories

1. Keep a journal. Not only is journaling relaxing, it’s a great way to capture your family travel memories. You don’t have to write pages and pages of your travels. Jot down the key points and funny moments of your family’s vacation. You could have each family member write in the journal or provide them with their own journal so they can write down the travel experience.

2. Bring a netbook, iPad, and or digital camera on your family vacation. Who doesn’t travel with some kind of electronic device? Most digital cameras are easy to pack and don’t take up that much space. You could bring your netbook or iPad with you on your family vacation to capture special ‘travel’ moments. If you do bring these items with you on your family vacation, make sure they’re insured. It’s better to be safe than sorry if they become lost or stolen.

3. Capture your family vacation by creating a scrapbook. Scrapbooking is fun for the entire family. In a suitcase, pack a scrapbook along with scissors and glue. While on your family vacation, purchase postcards, local guidebooks, or look for free travel information provided by hotels and resorts.

Not only is scrapbooking a good way to capture your family camping vacation, it will keep your kids entertained and occupied. Moms and dads who decide to have a romantic night out will be relieved to know their children won’t be bored while staying in the cabin The babysitter will be relieved that your children have something to do as well.

Tip #1: You can always purchase a scrapbook, glue, and scissors instead of packing them in your suitcase.

4. Purchase memorable souvenirs. Spend money on valuable souvenirs that you and your family will cherish. Souvenirs such as books, pens, clothing and accessories (T-shirts, scarves, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.), and postcards, are great reminders of your fun family vacation.

Tip #2: Give your kids money to buy their own souvenirs.

5. Buy and hang a map in your child’s room or in the family/great room. Wouldn’t it be fun to ‘map out’ your family vacation? Purchase a map of the world and stick pins in the places you visited on your family vacation. It’s fun to see how many miles you traveled as a family around the world or within the U.S. And, maps are a great educational tool to teach kids about different parts of the world or U.S.

These are some ways you can preserve your family vacation. Make sure you do all you can to seize the opportunity to document all your family vacations. Remember, time flies when you’re having fun!

How do you preserve your family travel memories? Share.

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