(ARA) - Aaah, the summer season is upon us. It's time to shift our collective minds to thoughts of grilled hot dogs, warm breezes, the ice cream man and, of course, the beloved family road trip. Surely any time spent vacationing with family will be memorable, but how can you make the most out of this year's summer trip? By doing a little bit of advance planning.
So where do you begin?
“First and foremost, get everyone in the family involved in planning the trip,” said family travel expert Pamela Wright, who has written more than 25 travel guidebooks with co-author Diane Bair. “Discuss what activities might be fun to do. Go to your local library or bookstore for materials on the region or sites you will be visiting. And show them on a map where you’ll be traveling.”
Here are a few more simple planning tips for making this summer's driving vacation a success:
Back to the basics
Grab a bag or bin and load it with all of your travel essentials, such as maps, tickets, hotel confirmation information, medical insurance information, a flashlight with extra batteries, sunscreen, first aid supplies, etc. Clearly label this container and make sure it's at your fingertips throughout the vacation.
Hitting the road
Grab another bag or bin and fill it with "car-friendly" activities like drawing supplies, books and magazines, puzzles, hand-held video games, playing cards and snacks (a must!) Another project to consider is a family vacation scrapbook. Both the kids and the adults can write favorite memories and glue or tape memorabilia into the book so everyone can relive the vacation for years to come.
Taking a pit stop
Without a doubt (especially on those longer trips), you'll need to make some pit stops along the way. Why not have a good time during these breaks, too? Pack a supply of quick outdoor activities, such as chalk, bubbles, disposable cameras, a jump rope and binoculars. Or, if you’ve got some time, build your pit stops around a visit to an interesting town or site. This way, getting to your vacation destination can be half the fun.
Don't forget the discounts
A suggestion from many veteran vacationers: buy an out-of-town edition of the Entertainment book for the destination to which you're traveling (or any towns you may be stopping at along the way). Available in more than 160 cities throughout North America, the Entertainment book can help families shave hundreds of dollars from vacation costs. Each edition of the popular coupon book and savings membership contains 2-for-1 and 50 percent off coupons and discount offers from local and national restaurants, hotels, attractions and many other merchants. And, through the end of June, you can snap up any 2003 edition for $10 plus shipping on Entertainment’s Web site, www.entertainment.com.
"Millions of people use the Entertainment book in their hometowns, but don't realize how much they can save by buying other editions to take on vacation," said Alan Bittker, president and chief executive officer of Entertainment. "It's a great way for families to try new restaurants, enjoy family activities, and visit worthwhile attractions at a significant discount."
Cinema on wheels
While low-tech activities can keep the kids entertained for hours, investing in a TV/VCR or TV/DVD player combo can make for a very wise investment, especially on long trips. Throw some popcorn and a handful of favorite videos in and you've got a cinema on wheels. In addition, if you plan to record family videos during the trip, the kids can re-live the vacation on the ride home.
And the last tip, which may be the most important one: be flexible.
“Often the most enjoyable moments are the unexpected ones,” said Wright. “By all means, plan your vacation, but stay flexible. You might not get to half of the places on your itinerary, and that’s perfectly OK.”
Courtesy of ARA Content
