“We travel, not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” - Unknown
A Note from Heather
Whether your kids get a March Break or a Spring Break, I’m willing to bet the whole family is counting down to the time away from school. For a lot of families it will also be the prime time to hit the road, rails and skies in search of a much needed vacation. When my kids were little, it also raised a financial dilemma. With everyone looking for a vacation at the same time, deals were elusive. Recently, I spoke with travel agents who told me the situation is worse this year. Our collective desire to get away after years of feeling cooped up has been a boom for the travel industry, but also left families on a budget in a dilemma. As prices rise alongside the cost of daily necessities, trips that were once a guaranteed deal are suddenly out of reach.
I often push for the importance of travel in my writing. It’s something I believe it wholeheartedly. But, I also understand how an Instagram view of travel has led many to forget that there are options beyond faraway places and expensive resorts. If you haven’t been able to secure an affordable trip for your family this year, consider getting creative with spots closer to home. When my kids were little, turning March Break into a week of exploring our hometown or the city next door was more than enough to get them excited and to switch our mindsets to fun.
However you choose to spend your time, I hope your family spends time together that creates the kind of memories you’ll look back on with a smile years later.
Planning for Spring Break
All great vacations have to start somewhere, and that place is usually the planning phase. As Spring Break approaches over the course of the next month, get the family together to decide on a few things. Here’s what to consider:
What does our budget look like? Just because the budget is tight doesn't mean you have to forego the fun. In this article I share some ways to save money on your vacation.
Next, what type of vacation do you want to experience? Consider weather, domestic vs. international, activities. If you’re the family that typically goes to the beach, you may want to mix it up and try a cold-weather destination or even a theme park.
Finally, how long are you looking to stay? If a week-long excursion isn’t in the cards this year, consider booking an alternative type of accommodation. Staying at a treehouse or Getaway Cabin can be more memorable when you don’t have too many days to invest. The kids are more likely to remember that unique locale than then length of the vacation anyway!
Check out these links…
Podcasts can make those long road trips more interesting. If you have a passion for history, travel and podcasts, check out Travel with Rick Steves . For more Family Travel centered conversations check out The Jetsetting Family.
Good Housekeeping shares the 10 Best Spring Break Destinations for Families in this article
If you’re taking a road trip, try scheduling in some nature breaks to calm antsy travellers. Get inspired and read more here.
If you’re considering a trip that engages with wildlife, you’ll love this important update .
Considering pulling your son or daughter out of school early for that spring break vacation? Check out this GTM blog on the teacher’s perspective.
This article shares some unique new travel trends that have arrived after two years of lockdown and pandemic restrictions. It might help you think of creative ways to travel this year.
We’ve been sharing tips on Carry-On only travel on the @byheathergd Instagram page. Here’s a video sharing some family travel luggage tips and here’s one that offers a suggestion on the two items that make every carry-on travel attempt better!
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And we’d love to hear from you too. Message us on the social media platform of your choice and let us know what travel question we can answer for you!
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Blog: GlobetrottingMama