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THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: CAMPING USA

Thousands of people know and embrace the amazing relaxation and fun you can have on a camping holiday. This is probably the most affordable type of family holiday – especially if you take advantage of America’s various state parks and campgrounds.

It costs around $12-$25 to spend a night at these campgrounds, which is much less than the cost of a motel room these days. The parks are typically run by park rangers, who also provide security at the campgrounds.

Each campsite will likely have a fire-pit, charcoal grill, and a picnic table. There will be an area to set up your tent and a place to pull your car off the road. These parks usually have buildings that enclose bathrooms and showers. You’ll also find drinking water available, places to do your dishes, and trash containers.

You can choose to camp the old-fashioned way with tents, or you can rent an RV for added convenience. A typical RV motor home will rent for $90-$200 per day.

Some people feel that camping with an RV isn’t truly camping, but we think the point of a holiday is to spend time together doing things as a family. Whether you sleep under the stars or in a bed inside an RV makes little difference, but renting an RV allows you and your family see more of the country. A camping holiday is all about what you make it!

Most public parks have hiking trails, and many parks have lakes for fishing, boating, and swimming. Imagine the sight of your kids seeing a deer cross the path or a raccoon snooping through the campsite at night. There may also be a playground with swings, basketball courts, and other amenities.

Also remember to bring along bats, balls and gloves, board games, Frisbees, or any other favourite game or toy. There will be plenty of opportunities for the family to play together.

Many state parks and other public parks offer nature programs for the kids, and some even show outside movies on weekends. Since most of these parks are located in remote areas away from city lights, they make great places to watch sunsets and to gaze at the stars at night.

If you don’t have any experience camping and are without camping gear, that’s alright! You can generally get everything you need for tent camping for under $600. What will you need?

• For a family of 4, you should have a tent that sleeps 6. You’ll appreciate the extra room that a 6-person tent provides.

• Next you’ll need sleeping bags. Since you’re probably not camping in cold weather, consider a 3-season bag. These are still rated for 30 to 40 degree weather, and if they get too warm at night just unzip the zipper. Mom and Dad might like the cosiness of sleeping bags that zip together.

• For added comfort and insulation from the cold ground, you might consider putting a pad/underlay under your sleeping bag.

• Your campsite will likely have a charcoal grill, which is great for some cooking, but dishes that require a pot or skillet won’t get all black if you have a propane camping stove. You can find a 2-burner propane stove for around $35-$80. The propane cylinders are $2-$3 dollars and will probably last a week.

• To keep drinks cold and food from perishing, you’ll need a cooler. Pick a cooler large enough to accommodate your needs

Other items to take camping can be found at home or bought at the grocery store: pots and pans, cups and glasses, silverware, pillows, flashlights, extra batteries, and food.
You may want to buy a cheap tarp for around $10 to place under your tent. This will help protect your tent floor against tears and to prevent water from seeping into the tent in case of rain.

Don’t bother with a lantern, because they get hot and attract bugs. Instead, buy a 9-volt battery lamp for around $10 and use it sparingly so that you can enjoy the night sky.
Here’s a little shopping tip: rather than shop online for your gear, save even more money by going to a Wal-Mart or Target store. They have everything you need at the lowest prices.

Figure $600 for a one-time cost to buy new gear, $200 or less for campground fees for a week, and $200 for food, gas, and ice, and you’ve got a great holiday for a family of four.
Once you’ve acquired your gear, each subsequent camping trip will be even cheaper. You’ll add to your gear from time to time, and some items need replenishing. For economical and adventurous holidays, take your family camping.

We’ve found a couple of places online that just keep popping up when talking about affordable family holidays. While we don’t necessarily endorse them ourselves, they seem to be top picks when it comes to enjoyable family travel.

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THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: GUEST RANCHES

The guest ranch, also known as a dude ranch, is a type of ranch oriented towards visitors or tourism. It is considered a form of agri-tourism. This type of family holiday is perfect for city dwellers to get out and experience real country life. Fully operational dude ranches are everywhere throughout the United States and can offer up a very memorable family holiday.

Imagine yourself taking the best holiday of your life at an American cattle ranch. The cool, fresh mountain air, the wide open spaces, the feel of a steady horse beneath you as you top the next rise… the flash of colour from the dark pool as the monster trout rises to your offering…luxuriating in the warmth of the setting sun as you wait for the dinner bell’s call … shared time with family and friends.

Most of these ranches are located in the Western United States, but a little homework can find them almost everywhere. It is also important to note that some dude ranches only cater to adults, and as we are considering family holidays, this is a fact worth a mention.

Riding horses and enjoying the great outdoors is the main focus of a dude ranch holiday, but accommodations can range from simple to luxurious. You can perform the job of a cowboy at a working dude ranch or choose a resort style ranch to take advantage of other activities the kids may like such as tennis or swimming.

Eat authentic cowboy style meals and sing cowboy songs around the campfire. In some places, you can even spend a night sleeping under the stars! Most of these dude ranch holidays are all-inclusive meaning that meals, drinks, spa amenities and all activities are included in the price of your reservation.

A family of four can usually have this type of holiday for under £1,000 although prices will vary according to the location you choose.

Do your research online and choose a spot that your family will love!

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FAMILY HOLIDAY IN SOUTH DAKOTA

This amazing state has so much to offer in the way of family holidays. On a visit to the Badlands of South Dakota, the kids can count all of the different license plates in the parking lot of Mount Rushmore, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary.

You can explore caves, pick up rocks blasted from the mountain where the colossal statue of Chief Crazy Horse is a work in progress, join a “dig” at the Mammoth Site where more than 50 giant mammoths were trapped more than 26,000 years ago, and take a Jeep tour through a herd of wild American buffalo.

You can stay at Custer State Park, where besides seeing the buffalo; you can rent an old-fashioned cabin on a lake starting at under £80 a night, go gold-panning, or make animal tracks with the kids at hands-on junior naturalist programs.

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THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: AMERICAN HISTORY TOUR

While your kids might roll their eyes at the suggestion of a family trip based on history, they might be surprised once you get there. They’re probably thinking they’ll be tested at the end of the holiday, but we’re betting that what they learn will stay with them for a very long time!

Most of the initial settlements in the United States are on the East Coast, so for us Brits, it becomes very convenient. Head for east coast America and learn more about you ever knew you could!

Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown are absorbing year-round, as historic interpreters dressed in period costumes help thoroughly modern families appreciate what life was life without TVs, computers, or indoor plumbing. In eighteenth-century Williamsburg, you’ll find the largest outdoor living history museum.

The kids can help weed the garden in spring, make bricks in summer, or attend a slave couple’s wedding in winter. Visit in summer and you can also go to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg and Water Country USA. A trip to Washington, DC, will give you The Smithsonian Institute which is interesting for all ages. Plus, you can see the White House, Congress, and so much more!

One of our favourite historical places to visit is Boston, Massachusetts. This beautiful city is absolutely filled with historical significance. When you take the blue trolley tour, you learn so much about the city and everything that occurred there in the history of America.

You can see the grave of Mother Goose and stand in front of the North church where Paul Revere saw the lanterns signalling the coming of the British. John F. Kennedy’s first apartment is along the tour as is the “Cheers” bar that spawned the award-winning TV series.

Boston Common offers tourists the opportunity to ride the lake in their famous swan boats, and Faneuil Hall Market Place is a spectacular place offering not only great food and shopping, but entertaining street performers and musicians.

One of America’s most respected presidents was Abraham Lincoln. Springfield, Illinois, offers the most comprehensive and interesting museum based on his life and historical significance. Visitors can tour his home, visit his tomb, and learn everything you never knew about this amazing man.

Just 30 miles down the road near Petersburg, Illinois, is New Salem – an early settlement where Lincoln lived and worked. There is one cabin that has been there since the 1800’s and has been carefully preserved to give visitors a taste of what life was like in the early years of America.

These are only a few places where you can go to find interesting, historic exhibits that your whole family can enjoy.

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THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: LET’S GO TO VEGAS!

Las Vegas isn’t just for grown-ups anymore! The city is becoming increasingly family friendly and you can take advantage of the typically low-priced rates for a great family holiday in Vegas.

It’s no longer considered “Sin City” when you see the various kid-friendly attractions like the roller coaster atop New York, New York, or the theme park inside Circus Circus. There are arcades just about everywhere and special shows geared toward the family audience.

The best part is that many of the attractions that kids love are free! You can see the Pirate show outside Treasure Island, view the amazing light show on Fremont Street, or watch the volcano “explode” outside the Mirage at sundown.

Meals are cheap everywhere in Vegas. We once had a complete prime rib dinner including baked potato, vegetable, and salad bar for a mere $2.99 at a small casino across from the Stardust. It was delicious and filling. The various buffets have anything and everything you could ever want to satisfy a picky eater – all at a low price anyone can afford.

Las Vegas is designed to be inexpensive in the hopes that tourists will spend most of their money in the casinos. This is where you can splurge a little and hold back when you’re getting a little short on funds. After all, you’re in Vegas – you have to pull at least one slot machine’s arm.

Depending on when you book, you can get an air/hotel package for as little as $300 per week per person round trip! In many places, kids get a discounted room rate, and if you want your older children to have their own room, many hotels will let you have that at half price.

Once in Vegas, consider renting a car and going on an exploration of the area. You can take in The Hoover Dam, check out the Grand Canyon or take in the Richard Petty ride-along racing experience. There’s so much to do in and around Vegas, you’ll never be bored!

How about some less-traditional holiday destinations?

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THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: CRUISE THE OPEN SEAS

Cruise ships are a family holiday planner’s best friends. Picture a floating, mega-resort with tons to do for everyone in a confined space where you know your kids are supervised and safe.

Many cruise lines offer voyages designed specifically for families, with expanded activity programs and shore excursions for all age groups and waterslides, ice rinks and climbing walls that keep kids and parents happy for days.

Some cruises have even developed onboard programs that not only feature family together time, but also arrange crucial alone time for parents. Together, parents and kids can participate in mock game shows, story hours, treasure hunts and other activities. Later, adults can schedule a massage or spend time on the sun deck knowing their kids are enjoying a host of supervised games and activities. Cruises are much like an all-inclusive holiday with the added benefit of being able to explore new and various places. They are especially good bets if the grandparents are coming along.

There are morning-till-night activities for children as young as three on most major cruise ships and plenty to keep adults busy, no matter what their ages. And, because of increased competition in the industry, cruising has never been more affordable.
Even Disney has jumped into the cruise market which can be an especially fun time for your kids!

As for cruises, experts say to “never, ever” go to the cruise lines directly or “general” travel agencies. If you’re going with a travel agent, you want to book with a cruise expert, one that specializes in discounting cruises. These companies get special discounts and upgrades for selling such a large volume of cruises that other sources simply don’t get such discounts. But even then shop around before you book, as prices will vary from agency to agency.

If you’re going it on your own, use the Internet as your most valuable tool. Many cruise ships offer kids free programs with the purchase of an adult ticket. You’ll need to look around and above all – ask for discounts!

The two most popular family cruise companies we’ve found are Disney and Carnival. Kids will love Disney’s private island – Castaway Cay – and the waterslides aboard Carnival ships will be a big hit! Both ships offer plenty to do for adults as well including spa services, nightclubs, and entertainment for adults. Disney, of course, gears a lot of its activities toward children and teens with special shows, on board discovery activities and special teen nightclubs – no alcohol allowed!

It will depend on when you book your cruise as to what type of savings you can realize.
Disney will publish “Magical Rates” on its “Specials” page on their website. With these special rates, you may be able to find a 3 day Bahamas cruise for £469 or a 7 night Caribbean cruise for £859. Children 3-12 get special rates in a room with two parents and kids under 3 are free!

When you will be putting out most of your holiday budget buying entry onto the ship, you’ll want to know how to save money once on board as well as during the visits to the ports of call. First and foremost, purchase a soda package for the kids. This allows them unlimited soda refills anywhere on the ship – a huge money saver!

When on shore, you’ll want to see as much as you can. Instead of booking excursions through the cruise line, rent your own vehicle and explore on your own. You could also use our excursions website to purchase your shore excursions cheaply and in advance. Maps of the ports of call are readily available and this allows you maximum flexibility with what you want to see and do.

A note of caution here, be sure to take note of the departure time of your ship and don’t be late! If you’re on your own and don’t make it back to the ship when it pulls out of port, meeting back up with them at the next port of call will be at your own expense.

On board, they’ll be taking lots and lots of pictures of you and your family. You’ll be tempted to buy these right away, but don’t. Those pictures will still be in the photo shop at the end of the cruise and they will often be discounted then, so buy right before you dock on the last day and be sure to bargain.

The same goes for souvenirs and such. Often, the gift shops will discount souvenir merchandise the last day of the cruise. The same T-shirt that sold for £25 at the beginning of the cruise might be £10 at the end, so bide your time and realize savings.

Check your account balance daily to be sure there are no charges on there that you didn’t make. Also, don’t pre-pay your tips. Many cruise lines have this built into the package price, but ask to have it removed then take care of tipping yourself.

Cruising with your family can be a very satisfying experience. However, there are many other family holiday options to look at as well.

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THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: DISNEY WORLD

Disney World is unarguably the largest family holiday destination in the United States. Super Bowl winners want to go there, kids want to go there, adults want to go there – heck, MY GRANDMA wants to go there! Can the everyday family afford to go to Disney World on a limited budget? YOU BET!

There are many options for you to consider on a Disney holiday. We’ll present as many of them to you as possible.

The obvious first choice is to stay on the property for maximum convenience and fun. At the time of this writing, the Florida theme park is currently offering the following packages for a six night, seven day stay for a family of four:

• £1,300 for a stay at a value category resort
• £1,700 for a stay at a moderate category resort
• £2,500 for a stay at a deluxe category resort

The value category resorts include All-Star Sports and All-Star Music hotels with the entire resort centered around those themes. They are fun for the kids and have themed pools and food courts. The rooms are standard, but comfortable and accommodate four people easily.

When we visited Disney World with our two children, we stayed at the All-Star Music resort and were very satisfied with everything they had to offer us. We were, after all, there to visit the parks, so our room was just a place to lay our heads. However, when the kids wanted to swim, we were happy to sip a tropical drink at the poolside bar while the kids splashed and played just a few feet away.

The moderate category resorts offer more amenities than the value priced ones. These resorts include the Caribbean Beach resort, Coronado Springs resort, and Port Orleans.
These resorts offer themed pools, full service dining areas, whirlpools, and watercraft rentals since most of these resorts are on the various lakes the property has.

I was on a company sponsored award trip and stayed at Coronado Springs. The rooms are more luxurious and roomy than the value ones, but we didn’t spend a lot of time in them preferring instead to visit the parks – obviously!

The food offered at this resort was more gourmet, and the pools were more elaborate than the All Star Music, but they were still fun at both places. It was nice to take a walk down the Boardwalk at sunset and enjoy the nightly fireworks from our balcony.
While I have never stayed at a Deluxe resort, it obviously follows that these are the nicest that Disney has to offer. These hotels include Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn, and the Grand Floridian. These resorts have elaborately themed pools, world class restaurants, room service, valet parking, whirlpools, concierge service, and a fitness centre. They go out of their way to insure your comfort and satisfaction which can be very important for some people.

There are other options you have on the park grounds as well that you can consider for your Disney holiday. Disney also offers Vacation Club resorts that are basically condos that include the general amenities that Disney offers to all their guests. These units have multiple rooms, a kitchen or kitchenette, spacious rooms, and valet parking service. This would be a great option for larger families.

Finally, those who like to “rough it” might want to consider the camping facilities on the park grounds. Fort Wilderness offers guests the opportunity to stay in air-conditioned cabins or secluded campsites for tents and RVs.

There is a concierge desk and laundry facilities. They also have miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, and nature trails ready for exploration. We had friends who rented an RV and stayed at Fort Wilderness. They got to enjoy not only the fun parks at Disney, but it was combined with their other love of camping. There were 10 campsites in total, so they saved money by staying in the RV instead of a hotel and they brought a lot of their own food to cook over their campfire so they saved quite a bit on dining as well.

When you stay at one of the Disney resorts, you get added value as well. The complex has one of the most elaborate transportation systems around. You can hop aboard a luxury bus and arrive at whatever park you want to visit with no worries. The buses run at all hours and as a guest, you can ride them as many times as you want for free.
You will also get transportation from the airport to your hotel including baggage service. This is a great perk since you won’t have to worry about traversing the many roads that lead to the various resorts. They’ll take you directly from the airport to your hotel for easy check-in!

The parks open early and stay open later for resort guests. This is an especially great aspect of staying on the grounds because the lines are shorter after hours and you don’t have to wait as long to ride your favourite rides.

Of course, these prices don’t include getting to Orlando. You’ll have to book your own flights to get there. Because of the airport shuttle service, we highly recommend the airline option as it takes the hassle out of travelling.

One thing we found when staying at a Disney resort is to purchase a souvenir travel mug first thing after checking in. This mug allows unlimited drink refills during your stay at any theme park and at your resort. This saved us a ton of money on coffee and soft drinks. Unfortunately, the refills didn’t include those tropical drinks we had, but it was well worth it anyway!

You can also choose to stay off the property in a close-by town like Kissimmee or in Orlando proper. The advantage to this is you can book an air/hotel package that will probably be less than what you would pay utilizing Disney’s resort advantages. By staying off the property, you can also take in the other sights Orlando has to offer such as Universal Studios and Sea World.

The disadvantage is that you will possibly have to arrange your own transportation to the parks, although some hotels have an agreement with Disney to use their shuttle buses from their hotels. Check with your hotel regarding shuttle service.

You may also have to purchase your theme park tickets separately. Disney, however, does have many different packages that make it affordable and you can pick and choose the parks you visit. If you’re not especially interested in seeing the Animal Kingdom, you don’t have to purchase those entrance tickets.

We do have some general money-saving tips when taking a Disney holiday. Most of the parks will allow you to bring in small coolers. Bring in your own bottled water or soft drinks or pack a light lunch to avoid the high prices at the restaurants. You can also bring a backpack with you which is a good way to bring in your own snacks to keep the little ones from screaming for French fries or cotton candy which come at a premium price.

We do, however, highly recommend having one meal at a sit-down restaurant inside the park. The prices might be a bit steep, but the portions are generous and you’ll get a much needed rest while you enjoy good food. Eat at off-peak times to avoid long waits and enjoy great service.

We had one meal at a drive-in style restaurant inside MGM Studios. I ordered a chicken Caesar salad and couldn’t even come close to finishing it. My daughter had chicken fingers and fries which she snacked on for the rest of the day. Plus it was great fun having our meal inside a car while watching an old movie on the huge movie screen.

If you have little ones who love the Disney characters, schedule a character meal to thrill them. Do this first, though, because space is limited and they fill up fast. Don’t freak at the price – the look on your little one’s face will be well worth the money spent.

You will, of course, want to have souvenirs to remember your time at Disney. In the park, these can be quite pricey. A great money-saving tip is to look for outlet stores in Orlando. They sell official Disney merchandise at huge discounts.

Above all, HAVE FUN! You’re on holiday in the happiest place on Earth. Enjoy yourself and your family along with everything that Disney has to offer! Now let’s look at another holiday option for families – cruises!

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THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

We can’t possibly tell you everything you need to know about taking a family holiday on a budget. However, we have packed this series of articles with all sorts of valuable information, but even if we give you every single money-saving tip we can find, there are still some aspects of the family holiday that should be addressed so that everyone is having fun!

1. Write down your budget, make it detailed, and stick to it! If you’ve budgeted £1,000 for food, be sure you’re going to be able to feed everyone the entire time for £1,000. It’ll save you a lot of stress and aggravation and you can make adjustments elsewhere if you find you’re close to going over budget.

2. No matter what, ALWAYS ask for discounts. You won’t ever get them unless you ask for them. If they’re available, you should take advantage – for you and your holiday budget!

3. Remember to be flexible! Be able to change your plans if need be and “go with the flow”.

4. Buy your children journals – cheap notebooks – and give them fun pens so they can record their thoughts and experiences as you go through your travels. They’ll appreciate it later plus it keeps them busy!

5. Once you’ve selected a destination, share copies of your travel brochures with your family. Then watch the excitement skyrocket.

6. Make lists. Planning a family holiday often sparks more questions than answers. Thanks to lists, however, you’ll have the answers at your fingertips. Some “Last-Minute List,” which to use before departing can include: “Don’t Forget,” “To Do,” and “Pack Now.” It’s a great time-saver, and ensures non-replaceable essentials like medications and such aren’t left behind.

7. Before travelling, contact the destinations tourism authorities for free brochures and maps, and any money-saving coupons. Also contact their Chambers of Commerce (located locally in your country) where you will be holidaying to see if they have any resident packets that might include valuable money-saving coupons and tips on where to visit.

8. Cruise the Internet for reduced prices on everything from accommodation to airfare to car rentals to entertainment – and everything else in between. Wherever your dream destination, you can point and click your way into an affordable, enjoyable holiday without ever leaving home.

9. Maintain a routine while on holiday. It’s tempting to set aside bed times and other daily routines while travelling. But sticking as closely as possible to normal routines—like meal times, and bed times—will help your family to enjoy each day’s activities and return home less stressed.

10. Schedule some down time – Because family travel can be so expensive, parents often attempt to book as much activity in a day as humanly possible. Unfortunately, that whirlwind approach can be more tiresome than fun—for parents and children. One option: schedule a mid-day “rest stop” to unwind, or finish activities by 7 p.m.

11. Be prepared – Being on holiday doesn’t exempt you from emergencies. Thus, be prepared to respond to emergencies while away.

12. Pack needed medications and related equipment for family member who require them. Carry more than enough for your planned trip. Save on over-the-counter medication by bringing it with you, rather than buying them “on the other side.”

13. Carry a copy of your medical and dental insurance cards, physicians’ contact information, and a list of illnesses, prescription drug and food allergies of which any family member suffers. While this may come naturally at home, in an emergency situation you could easily forget pertinent information while under pressure. Also bring along at least one emergency contact number for a family or friend who can be reached should emergency personnel need to contact them for you. Thinking about such eventualities aren’t pleasant, but it’s better to be prepared should they arise.

14. Leave a copy of your complete itinerary, including your airline and hotel reservations and daily activities, if known, with at least one extended family member. It will come in handy should someone need to contact you concerning an emergency back home.
15. When your holiday is over, take time to regroup and reconnect. Coming home can be anti-climatic after spending days living out of suitcases and participating in new, exciting activities. After each trip, carve out a portion of the first day or two to unwind. Doing so will help everyone to gently return to your family’s routine.

16. You may want to take a credit card along for safety and convenience. However, it is important to remember that credit should not be used as an extension of your budget/income. No matter how much fun you had on a holiday, it’s never fun to still be paying it off years later. In fact, if you put a £2,000 holiday on your 18% interest credit card and make only the minimum monthly payments, it would take you more than 18 years to pay it off.

17. Decide on the ground rules. How many times have you been on a family holiday and seen parents and their children arguing? Holidays are supposed to be fun, not a battleground. Parents should establish the rules in advance so that arguments don’t take away joy from the day. For example, take children’s spending. To them, nothing in a souvenir shop is too tacky or overpriced. How do you solve this dilemma? It’s simple.
They can buy what they want with their own money but they can’t ask for more. A few months prior to the holiday, begin reminding them that they should be saving their funds. Some do, some don’t.

On the eve of departure, you can give them each £20 to supplement their savings. After that, they’re on their own. If they spend it the first day, they’re out of luck. Knowing in advance the ground rules on spending, fast food restaurants, and sharing the Game Boy saves countless arguments and embarrassing moments.

18. Publish it – Regardless of what you’ve done or where you’ve gone, it’s always fun to remember it. Take a large scrapbook with you. As you are travelling, dictate what happened that day and leave space to paste in photographs, postcards, admission tickets, etc. When you read about holidays past, you can relive the memories. Some entries are exciting—such as when we saw a bear. Others are funny (“You know you’re in trouble when the highlight of the day was when your paediatrician phoned in an anti-diarrhoea prescription”). No event is too small to document. It all looks humorous in hindsight.

19. Alternate pricey attractions with those that are free–a hike in the woods, the best playground in the area, a tour of the local potato-chip factory.

20. Set the souvenir budget before you leave home and stick to it. Suggest the kids start collections along the way – postcards, pins, patches, for example.
21. Always ask when you call for reservations if there are any other discount deals available – kids eat free, a room upgrade, a second room at half price, etc.

22. Get out a map and talk about where you want to go and what you want to do. Even the four-year-old will have an opinion. Make sure everyone gets at least some of their picks on the itinerary. If the kids are old enough, suggest each one plan a day’s activities.

23. Consider inviting a friend for an only child or for a sole preteen or teen in the family. He or she will be much happier.

Alright, now we’ve gotten the general tips out of the way. What you really want to know is, how can we take a fabulous family holiday on a budget and where? We’ve shown you how. Now let’s explore where!

We want you to know before you read further that these destinations have been picked based on the recommendations of many different experts and are not endorsed in any way by us specifically. However, we think these experts are dead straight in their suggestions. So, let’s look at destination number 1 – Disney World!

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THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: EATING WELL ON A HOLIDAY…

When you’re travelling it can be difficult to find good food at reasonable prices especially if you happen to be staying in a big city that has an established food and restaurant culture. When you’re faced with a budget, you want to try and maximize your enjoyment per buck. If you want to eat well and sample the local cuisine on a budget, you’ll need to do a little research to find that perfect restaurant that offers a balance between quality and price.

Obviously, if you’re staying at an all-inclusive, you won’t need to worry about this part, but many people need to consider where they’re going to feed their family and not break the bank.

First, check with your hotel or hostel and inquire whether breakfast is included in your stay. In Europe many hotels provide breakfast. If your hotel does provide breakfast, don’t skip it in favour of paying for food elsewhere. Remember the continental breakfast we had? Never pass up an amenity that’s included in your room rate. Hotel and hostel breakfasts are also a great way to get to know other guests.

Another option for budget eating is to eat at a chain restaurant that you a familiar with, such as McDonald’s, Burger King or Kentucky Fried Chicken. You can find a McDonald’s just about anywhere world-wide. While this isn’t recommended for every day, it is a good way to save a little money when you’re low for the day. After all, you can eat at McDonald’s at home! If you want to become familiar with the culture of the country you are visiting, eating at a fast food restaurant is not a good option.

You can also buy groceries and make your own food. If you have a kitchen or kitchenette, this is excellent for breakfasts and lunches. It’s much cheaper to pour a bowl of cereal for your little ones in your room instead of going down to the dining room where the cereal will be overpriced anyway. Pick up some cold cuts and bread and pack a lunch instead of buying the over-priced hot food at the theme park!

Eating one or two meals a day from a street vendor or take-out restaurant may also be a good way to still eat great, but save some money. Not only will you get a taste of local flavour and culture, but you will find the food is very good and reasonably priced!

Being friendly with other guests in the hotel, the concierge and the locals, is another great way to discover good food that won’t break the budget. Ask a local if they know any good restaurants that aren’t too expensive. They should be able to come up with a few good options for you. Make sure you indicate that you want to sample some local cooking.

If you’re going to splurge at an expensive restaurant, lunch is a good time to do so. You can often get the same famous food at a significantly lower cost. Since most health experts agree that eating the largest meal of the day in the afternoon is a good idea, you’ll be doing more than your pocket a favour.

Almost every town has a local “Mom and Pop” diner that provides better than excellent home cooking for not a lot of money. We found one in Florida that offered up an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $4.00 per person and it had everything on it you could ever wish for at breakfast time!

Another good way to find inexpensive restaurants is to always be looking for a good place to eat. If you’re out visiting a tourist site, stop by a few restaurants and read their menus which are usually posted in the window. Even if you are not hungry, you may decide to come back later. You may have better luck with this technique when you are in an area of the city that is not your standard tourist destination.

Eating at a sit-down full service restaurant is the most expensive dining option, so if you are really on a budget, you may want to limit the number of full service meals you eat. But don’t forget to spoil yourself; after all you are on holiday.

If you’re on a budget, you can still eat great during your travels; you just need to be aware of all your food options. Ask around with the locals for recommendations. Make sure you know the price before you eat. Most important of all, you should try new things. Stretch your boundaries and try something that you would never eat at home. After all isn’t the reason you travel, to discover something different.

If your hotel offers a “kids eat free” plan or discounted meals for your stay, take advantage of this as much as you can, but remember, you’re on holiday to experience your travel destination. The point is to get outside your hotel and live!

Before we get into specific holiday suggestions, we wanted to offer up some general tips and advice to get the maximum enjoyment value out of your family holiday. It’s not a holiday unless it’s providing enjoyment – for everyone!

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Uncategorized

THE FAMILY HOLIDAY PLAN: HOLIDAY TRANSPORT

If your plan is to go beyond your place of accommodation – which it probably will be – you’ll need to consider outside transportation. These are a matter of taste and what is most important to you in the area of convenience and price. You may like having your own car to be able to go where you please when you please, but that can be expensive. Here are some other alternate options.

Rental Cars

If you do want to rent a car, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. When procuring a rental car, get the smallest one that your family can fit into comfortably. There’s no need to spend extra money on luxury when an economy car will still get you to where you need to go.

You’ll have to decide on whether or not you want to buy the rental insurance offered by the company. We won’t tell you one way or another because there are advantages and disadvantages either way.

If you are comfortable enough with driving and feel you can be careful enough to avoid any accidents then waive the insurance. You may want to check with your own auto insurance plan before you leave to see if you are covered under that policy while you’re operating a rental car.

However, keep in mind that accidents can and do happen despite our best efforts. Any of you who’ve seen the movie, “Meet The Fockers”, know what I’m talking about!

If you want to take the chance and waive that insurance, remember that any damages to the rental car will come out of your own pocket. Often the cost for this insurance is relatively minimal, so it might be worth the peace of mind.

Rental car agencies vary widely in price and offer a great opportunity for negotiating. You can save hundreds of pounds by checking the various locations in town, because often it is much cheaper to pick up a car away from the airport.

If you work for a company that has a corporate account with a car hire agency, they often honour the discount rates when you travel for leisure as well. Check all discounts offered for AA members, insurance company deals and weekend rentals, etc. They have lots of room to negotiate, so just keep asking what discounts you qualify for.

Look for discounts offered online as well as in magazines or the mail.

When you pick up your vehicle, many companies will upgrade you to a much nicer car for the same rate if you learn to ask with a nice smile. Check out the people behind the counter, and wait for one that appears to be more friendly and easier to work with.

Hotel Courtesy Vehicles

Many hotels do provide courtesy vehicles for their guests to use for transportation when staying at their hotel. This is a great amenity and one that should be used if it is available. Each hotel is different about their policies regarding use of their vehicles, so you should check with the front desk upon check-in to see what the hotels policy is.

Often, you just need to inform the front desk that you’ll need a vehicle to go to, say, a local restaurant, and they will be waiting outside the lobby for you to take you to your destination. At that time, you can probably let the driver know what time you want to be picked up and they will return to bring you back to the hotel.

However, hotel courtesy vehicles ARE NOT taxi cabs. They are a service provided by the hotel for the convenience of their guests, so they should be used wisely lest you make a concierge angry by inviting 15 people you met at a bar to come along for the ride and then asking the van to drop them off in 15 different places!

Other hotels have set times for departure from the hotel and set drop-off points that are pre-determined around the location where you are staying. In this capacity, they almost operate like a bus service. Be there on time and you get a ride – if you’re late, call a cab!

The best part about these courtesy vehicles is that they are free to use as long as you are a guest at the hotel. This certainly is a great way to save money on holiday!

Local Buses

Well, this section is going to be short! You can also utilize the local bus service of the city you are staying in. What’s the advantage? It’s cheap! What’s the disadvantage? It can sometimes be crowded and take time while stopping at every bus stop along the way.

When we were in Las Vegas, we utilized the city bus system and had a very good experience. We weren’t on a strict timetable and if we saw a place we wanted to get off the bus and visit, we could. We purchased a 5 day pass for unlimited bus rides for $10 and got to board and de-board as many times as we wanted.

Sure, we didn’t get downtown right when the light show started, but we were darn close to the beginning and a taxi ride would have cost us way over the $10 we initially spent for our bus passes.

Taxicabs

We’ll just come right out and say it – taxicabs are expensive – period! Yet sometimes, they are a necessarily “evil” when you are travelling. If you do have a schedule you are trying to stick to, they can be a lifesaver getting you to the show you have tickets for on time or the restaurant who frowns on people late for their reservations.

The key to taking taxicabs is to tell the driver up front where you are going and ask what the estimated fare will be. If it’s within your budget, hop in! If it’s not, you’ll need to figure out another way to get to your destination. That’s the plain and simple truth!

And cabs are probably most expensive in tropical or luxury locations. We know of one couple on a Hawaiian cruise who got off at one of the islands and caught a taxicab to go parasailing. It ended up costing them a small fortune for a one-way ride only to find out it was too windy to parasail that day and they had to fork-out the same exorbitant fare on the way back to the ship.

Find out in advance and have a backup plan, just in case.

Other Transportation

If you’re on an island or in a resort town, you may want to consider bicycles or scooters for your transportation needs. They can often be rented for a small amount of money and you get the satisfaction of getting some exercise along with the local flavour!

And, of course, you can always “hoof it”. However, we recommend this only if your destination is close enough to walk to. In the aforementioned Las Vegas trip, we thought it would be fun to walk The Strip and get a real taste for Vegas. What we didn’t know was that The Strip was well over 5 miles long. By the time we reached the other end, we were all so exhausted; we called a cab and paid the $25 it took to get us back to our hotel.

Alright, you know your destination and have booked your flight. You know which hotel works best for you and have mapped out the different ways to visit the places you want to see. What else needs to be addressed in the budget? Food!

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