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!

Related family vacation articles

• Activities at Georgia State Parks (traveltips.usatoday.com)
• How to Be a Good Hotel Guest (traveltips.usatoday.com)
• The Mother of All Trips (motherofalltrips.com)
• 10 Most Interesting Places for Children in California (traveltips.usatoday.com)

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)

Streetsboro – Northeast Ohio’s Best Vacation Value

Streetsboro, Ohio - The Ideal Location for Your Next Vacation

Streetsboro offers something for everyone year round! We are the ideal location to launch a memorable vacation, reunion, get away or business trip. Streetsboro provides exceptional accommodations suitable for any preference or budget including nine hotels and two campgrounds.

Streetsboro is within driving distance to many of the area’s best attractions including Wildwater Kingdom, Boulder Creek Golf Club, Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad & National Park, Kent State University Museum, Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, fishing, water sports, outdoor leisure activities, zoos, sporting activities, wineries and more. From festivals to fairs to concerts, we put you near all the action.

Streetsboro is located in the heart of it all and offers a very affordable vacation.

Streetsboro Visitors & Convention Bureau
8929 State Route 14, Suite A
Streetsboro, OH 44241
330-422-1770 or 888-558-5580
www.StreetsboroVCB.com

It’s September 1. School’s back in session (or will be soon.) The holidays are just around the corner. But now is the PERFECT time to start planning for next year’s family vacation getaway! Here’s why!

1. There are steals to be had!

If you pay in advance for a cabin or house rental at your favorite family beach vacation, you may be eligible for a significant discount. This means you can save tons of money.

2. You’ll have time to investigate the best deal.

If you wait until the last minute, you’ll probably pay more than you’d like for your cabin or hotel room. Instead of spending a fortune on a fun family vacation, spend wisely. Begin collecting travel magazines and compare prices.

3. You’re (almost) guaranteed the cream of the crop.

Do you feel like every year you just can’t seem to get into the resort you want? Maybe you need to start planning your family vacation destinations earlier! By giving yourself 10 months, you’ll be able to easily snag lucrative hotspots before others beat you to them!

4. You will be excited for next year’s fun family vacation!

Nothing beats the winter doldrums like knowing that you’ll be at a family vacation spot in a few short months! Plan your fun family vacation today and it’ll boost your spirits when the winds howl and the snow flies!

(To read Part I of this Travel Tips series, click on this link)

Now that you and your four-legged buddy are ready and rarin’ to go to your family vacation destination, it’s time to think about the actual travel part of the trip. Here are some areas to consider for maximum comfort and ease:

1. Planes Can Be Miserable for Pets

Many pet owners would like to believe that their dogs or cats are as comfy as they are while journeying to their family vacation destinations. However, plane travel can be tough on pets.

Ask your veterinarian for medicines to help make air travel a little calmer for your feline or canine companion. Though you may hate the thought of medicating him or her, it could be the travel tip that saves your buddy from a frantic flight.

2. Car Rides Should Include Plenty of Breaks

Are you planning to travel by car to your family vacation destination? If so, be certain to plot places where you and your pet can get out and enjoy some fresh air. Dogs love to run or just walk, and they need to exercise their legs after a joint-stiffening car ride just as much as humans!

As you’re planning your itinerary, check out your maps and vacation guides to see if there’s a pet-friendly park along your route. That way, you and your pet can get some much-needed stretching together in a beautiful atmosphere.

3. Dogs and Cats Need to Stay Hydrated

When you’re packing food and water for your traveling, don’t forget your pet’s needs. Hydration is very important, especially during car and plane trips; without water, an animal could easily overheat.

There are fold-up cat and dog bowls that store easily and can be used primarily for vacations. Look around the Internet and you’re sure to find exactly what you need. (Of course, you could always throw an old-fashioned plastic or metal bowl into the car if you have room!)

Want more Travel Tips for taking your best family vacation with your pets? Check out Part I in our series and look for Part III where we’ll discuss what to do on vacation.

It’s like a dream. You’re relaxing on the beach at your family vacation destination and THERE HE IS! The superstar you love! The Hollywood glam queen whose show you never miss! You’re stunned… then you realize that if you want to do something, now is the time to take action.

Hold on there, partner.

Before your “diva” makes a getaway, remind yourself that there are several rules regarding how to deal with celebs you see while you’re on a trip. Follow them, and you’ll have a much better chance of taking home a great story from your best family vacation!

1. If the Star is Filming, Stand Back

Unless you’ve been asked to be part of a “crowd scene”, stay away from the star. You may have an opportunity later to ask him or her to sign your travel magazine (hey, what else do you have handy while at the beach or boardwalk?), but you’ll only irritate producers, directors and filming crews if you interrupt.

2. Don’t Act Like a Stalker

It’s probably unwise to gush about how you’ve seen every movie your Holly-crush has been in, decorated your walls with his image, Google his name every day, follow his every move using GPS… Even if you’re just rambling, he won’t know it. And he’ll be thinking, “I’m not coming to this family vacation spot again!”

3. Don’t Talk Too Long

If you want an autograph or just to say hi, do so and then go about your business. Remember that the celebrity is probably at the same family vacation spot as you for a logical reason — to take a break! Unless he or she invites you to talk longer, be respectful.

Have other ideas for people who see celebs on vacation? Share them with GuestQuest today!

If you’re a packrat, you know it. You’ve come to terms with it. But that doesn’t mean your traveling companions will like it when you lug everything under the sun to… and from… your family vacation spot.

Here are some ways that you, as a card-carrying member of the sometimes-irritating (but ultimately lovable) packrat community, can curb your appetite for clutter while at some of the best family vacation spots on the planet.

1. Have someone else pack for you

Now, don’t freak out. Seriously consider this as a viable travel tip. After all, you know very well that if you’re packing your duds for a week at one of those wonderful Delaware condominiums, you’re likely to throw too much together. So why not allow someone else to pack on your behalf?

Just make sure that you let him or her know of things that you absolutely need, like medications. But don’t dictate how many bathing suits or magazines to pop into the suitcase. That way, you’ll arrive at your family vacation destination with less to lug.

2. Set a packing limit

Just as you would set a “spending limit”, why not set a limit on how many things you can pack in your suitcases?

For instance, say you figure you’ll not pack more than 50 things (total, including toiletries) for your stay at a Florida vacation condo. If you go over the amount, you’ll have to remove items. If you’re under the amount (and let’s face it, no packrat will be), you can celebrate.

3. Carry everything yourself

If you want to curb your packrat ways, tell yourself that whatever you bring, YOU have to carry. Not someone else. This means up the flight of stairs in the airport or through the train station concourse on your way to your best family vacation spots.

If you know you’ll have to muscle anything you bring, you’re less likely to fill your luggage until it’s about to pop open. And that means your visit to a few Canadian hotels will be much less of a workout.

Bon voyage… lightly!