What's So Special About Family Travel?

Americans are getting more active. Recently, families in the US are going beyond traditional getaways in the quest for newer, broader, more engaging and meaningful experiences.

So, what makes us gear up for that vacation? Is it merely the desire to breakout from the grind and spend time off with the family? Or are there deeper meanings inherent? You'll agree that most family travel planners want to introduce children to different cultures, customs and lifestyles. They want to experience this together and create memories that last for a lifetime.

Unlike a typical nuclear family getaway, a modern family vacation is where we go all out on a multi-generational trip to include grandparents. We all love our parents but we rarely get a chance to show how much we care. So, taking them along with the kids is an incomparable experience. How long we've been craving to see that smile on their face! Besides, grandparents are also traveling with kids, without Mom and Dad.

Moreover, adult children are increasingly traveling with their parents. More and more families are traveling together with family friends as one large group. There's a spurt in blended family vacations, too, where divorced/remarried parents with their new spouses and children are traveling together.

Another important factor is that families are being increasingly drawn to active pursuits, meaning, they're heading out for more outdoor and adventure spots.

Air Travel Tips for Families and Nervous Flyers

Bang on the Blogspace!! After a brief hiatus, I'm back here again to discuss family travel issues. My neighbor was flying for the nth time, yet she was panicky about air travel issues like health, safety and that coveted peace of mind. This morning, Heidi left for San Francisco on one of her usual duty-assignments. Early morning, honey and I bumped into while we're jogging down the park. She was so nervous about her flight! True, from over-the-top to downright horrible, flying experiences vary across passengers. So, why not jot down a few tips and tricks for a better flying experience. I don't want us to be nervous flyers.

Food is Number One Priority:
With cartloads of snacks, munchies and meals rolling down the aisle, it's hard to resist the temptation of in-flight food, no? But experts suggest that one should load the tummy right at home. That is, before starting for the airport, we eat carbohydrate food and tide over the flight duration. Not to be lured by the looks-so-appetizing in-flight meals. This also helps reduce jetlag, plus saves you from all the chemical preservatives that come free with food on board.

Dress up for the Flight:
So, what does that mean? Do we need to dress up like we do for the party? Of course not! Air travel demands loose clothing. The low-pressure environment inside the aircraft is just like a mountain resort, where our bodies swell up! Tight clothes can block circulation and create a lot of complexities. Belts, girdles, tight bras, tight wedding rings and, tight shoes are STRICT NOs!

Early at the Airport??
Do you mind arriving at the airport a bit early? If yes, you must reconsider. Arriving early is the key to stress-free pre-boarding. You know all those security check and check-in formalities. Plus you have a better seat selection, no?

Keeping Germs at Bay:
Aircraft cabins are perhaps among the most crowded compartments on earth! Add to it the low ceiling and less-of-fresh air aspects. Such an environment is the ideal breeding ground for viruses. What we want to do in this situation is to apply food-grade oil to the nostrils, so that viruses cannot enter our immune system through the tiny cracks in the membranes. Did you forget the kids?? The same things apply for them as well. So, be mindful.


To be continued...

Off-beat with the Kids!

Okay, every winter you take off to the beach, with honey and kids, visit theme parks round the year or go skiing and snowshoeing in spring. Has anyone tried an off-the-beaten-path vacation with the children??

Very hew heads up, I guess. But I have some great ideas to do it off-beat with the kids. I want to share these with you all.

A Road Trip Instead: Yes, instead of hopping into the plane, we can drive to a fairly distant place and have fun all the way. We have such good superways. Many of us have done it before, I'm sure.

How about Oregon??: From July 13 through July 31, Hood River, Oregon, is hosting the Gorge Games. If you have teeny boppers at home, you can give it a go. It's an extreme sports fest, which means, the teens will have a blast. If they love kayaking, windsurfing, wake-boarding...they won't be disappointed. Also, you can check out the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, held around the same time. Culture and adventure...two shots at one go!

Put up your camp in the Zoo!: Right! These days, many zoos around are promoting sleepover programs. Meet the animals by day and sleep under the stars at night. Sounds like off-beat, no??

Enough of World History!: Of course! Let them read about world history in books. Why not take them on walk through the history of your own family? Take them to those places where you spent yoour childhood, or where your parents grew up. The old neighborhod always brings back sweet memories of the years gone by.

Roughing it up with the Family!!

When I was seven years old, I remember going out on a spring-break camping with Mom, Dad, some of my cousins, uncles, aunts...It was a big group and we had tons of fun.

We all long for the good times to pass by us. But did we ever realize that we can usher in plenty of fun moments anytime we go out on a vacation??

Yes! When we go out on a wilderness campaign with the kids, there are certain things that we have to bear in mind. It's important to introduce them to the joy of nature, but it's very difficulot when the kids are mere toddlers. You might not take a vacation at all, or you might want to call off the vacation midway. It's not easy, especially when they're still crawling.

Let's take a sneak peek at the 'to do' and 'not to do' list.

Gearing up
The destination has to be at a reasonable distance from home — you know how long your child can sit in the car. Consider things like drive time, arriving at your destination long before dark. You gotta pack carefully, and even excessively. We don't know whether there are grocery stores near the campsite.

Lodging
I bet, campgrounds with amenities like flush toilets and potable running water, or rent a room or cabin should be the first choice. There are many national parks, which have kid-friendly resorts. There are others that rent small cabins, while there are motels sprawling around many of them.

Don't forget the Weather Gods
Rain can be fun, but it can be a spoil sport too. We don't want to sing the song in the last moment. It's always good to bring the rain gear. Plus, in mountains, the temperatures vary wildly. What to do?? Dressing up the children in layers is very protective. My parents did the same when we went out.

Observing the Kids' Behavior
We know our child more than anyone else. A change of routines can either be amusing or upsetting for them. So, we plan accordingly. We might want to mimic the normal schedule while camping. Don't forget their special toys.

I think this can be a good primer for family vacationers, no? A rough guide, indeed!