A Family Vacation to Remember

We have a special surprise for you today! 

Kendra Thornton: a travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman, wife and mother is giving us travel advice!  I'm so excited for this!  I'm not experienced at traveling whatsoever, so I love reading this! Enjoy and get ready to travel!

A Family Vacation to Remember

There's nothing quite like a family vacation in the beautiful summer weather. Although it's getting late in the season to plan a summer trip, there's still time to iron out the details for a hassle-free getaway.

1. Surprise Your Kids


Try something new by surprising the vacation on your kids with no previous warning! They will be thrilled at the prospect of doing something different. If this seems a bit too extreme, build up anticipation for the trip by hinting at it to your children in the weeks leading up to leaving. Remember though, if you are going to surprise them, there has to be a destination that they are going to be excited about.


2. Booking a Hotel


Get a jumpstart on booking your hotel early on to get the best deal for your family. However, remember to look at more than just the cost of the hotel when booking. Check for things like microwaves and refrigerators in the room so you can store food you bring with you, rather than having to spend lots of money at a restaurant for every meal. I used Gogobot to find a fantastic Orlando hotel that offered a free continental breakfast for my entire family. Look through user reviews to see if a hotel has all the amenities your family needs. 


3. Make the Airport Check-In Easy


It’s easy to become flustered when trying to check luggage and go through security with kids, but if you come prepared these headaches can be avoided. Print the boarding passes beforehand and even put slip-on shoes on the little ones to make going through security a breeze. If you are having a question about whether you can bring something through security or not, check out the My TSA mobile app.


4. Stick to a Schedule


Even when the family is having a blast, there's still time needed for naps and bed times. Skipping breaks and not providing some downtime can result in sour attitudes that ruin the day. Make sure you bring some healthy snacks around with you in case mealtimes might get pushed back a bit.


5. Comfortable Traveling


Whether you are traveling by air or road, you will not want your kid to be crabby. Keep the kids occupied by bringing a favorite book or toy with you, or a portable DVD player. If you have a young child, you might consider investing in car window blinds to block out the sunlight so they can nap.


Being prepared means more fun for the whole family! I hope these tips come in handy, and remember to have fun and travel safe!

Thanks again!

Reference 1: I used Gogobot to find a fantastic Orlando hotel that offered a free continental breakfast for my entire family.

Link: http://www.gogobot.com/orlando-walt-disney-world-florida--hotels

Reference 2: If you are having a question about whether you can bring something through security or not, check out the My TSA mobile app.

Link: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/my-tsa-mobile-application

Reference 3: If you have a young child, you might consider investing in car window blinds to block out the sunlight so they can nap.

Link: http://www.toysrus.com/buy/outdoor-play/summer-safety/car-travel-safety/dream-baby-car-window-shade-2-pack-l2072-4439434

 

Kendra Thornton: Travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman, proud wife and mama of 3. I am a long time travel expert who has been packing my bags and traveling the world since I was 3 months old! I've found my utmost desire in life is right here in my own home. I have taken my excitement for travel and brought it to you with some of my favorite travel tips and tricks. Enjoy!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KendraThornton

Website: http://www.thorntonpr.com/