Ten Things to Prep Before You Go on Family Vacations

Planning a family vacation is one of the most exciting parts of the year, but it can come with its fair share of stress. Between booking your flights, packing for multiple people, and making sure that your house is in order for when you return, it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed. Little preparation goes a long way to make your trip smooth, fun and more memorable for all the right reasons.
It doesn't matter whether you're going to a beach resort, a National Park or an international destination, your pre-trip checklist is going to matter. Seasoned travelers will often stay ahead of the curve by reading the latest trends through travel blogs before they go. Sometimes these are packed with hints and tips you may not have considered, aside from your research, what else should you be doing to prepare before setting off on your family adventure? Here are 10 essential things to get ready before you pack up the car or board the plane.

Double and triple check your travel documents. Nothing derails a family vacation faster than expired or missing documents. Before you go on your trip, take the time to confirm that all of your passports are up to date, especially for the kids, who often have shorter expiration periods than adults. If you're travelling domestically, make sure that you have valid ID's, boarding passes, and confirmation numbers for flights, trains or buses. Also check any visa requirements. Some places if you're going abroad request you to have a visa and requirements can vary by destination.
Plan your itinerary, but be flexible with it. Spontaneity is amazing, but consider which activities or attractions are must do for the family. You could also consider which ones are flexible without rigorous reservations needed. If you're travelling with the kids, mix structured activities with downtime to prevent exhaustion. Leave buffer space for things like unexpected detours or relaxing by the pool. When reading travel blogs, look for sample itineraries from real families who have been to your destination because their insights can help you to avoid the tourist traps.
Sort out your accommodation in advance. The earlier that you book your accommodation, the more options that you'll have, especially if you're looking for family friendly amenities like kitchens, kid safe environments or adjoining rooms. Compare the hotels, compare vacation rentals and look at resorts to find the best fit for your families needs and budget. Location as well has to be considered such as being close to attractions, grocery stores or public transport which can save you time and hassle.
Pack smartly for everybody in the family. Packing for a solo trip is very easy. Packing for a family is a different story. Start by making a master checklist for each person in the family going on the vacation, including clothes, toiletries, medications, and electronics. If you've got little children, comfort items are an absolute must. Stick to versatile clothing that can be layered or mixed and matched, and pack at least one emergency outfit in your carry on in case of travel delays. Many travel blogs offer downloadable packing lists that can help you for this.
Prepare for departure.Before you leave, get your house vacation ready. That means setting light timers to make it look like someone is home if you don't plan to have a house sitter, pausing the mail or arranging for a collection and disposing of any perishable foods in the fridge. You might also find it helpful to take out the trash and give it a clean just so that you come back to a fresh place.

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