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Family Travel Checklist

Travelling with a family can be a nightmare. Most family travel meets some sort of major emergency or crisis during the planning phase, and it usually occurs right before they are due to go to the airport for departure. No matter how well the parents have planned, something never ever fits in and this can cause extreme panic when there are several children to deal with as well as making sure that everyone arrives at their vacation destination in one piece.


It is no wonder that family travel can cause major stress when you consider all of the things that have to be considered and then remembered. With insurance, packing, documentation, hotel arrangements, flights and other similar elements of family travel to deal with, what you really need is a checklist to use to ensure that all elements are dealt with in the correct timescales to ensure that the dash to the airport is not an ordeal!


To help you cope with this, here is a checklist that you can use for any given trip, whether going abroad or remaining in a domestic setting. All of the information is relevant and can certainly help you to relax and enjoy your vacation!


Six Months To Go
1. Assess your financial situation and estimate spending money
2. Collect information on the places that you would like to go. The Internet is a great resource, but you can also use travel guides and brochures to get an idea of the type of hotel to stay in.


Five Months To Go
1. This is the absolute latest that you should book your vacation accommodation to make sure that you have plenty of time to plan the family travel from start to finish. Remember to compare prices and check out deals and discounts.
2. Book family air travel and confirm the departure times and dates.
3. If you do not already have one, apply for a passport and look into the family travel destination to see whether you need further documentation, such as a visa.
4. Apply for a visa or permit if necessary, making sure that you comply with all of the requirements.


Three Months To Go
1. Begin to plan out activities for the whole family. Research the activities in the local area that are suitable for family travel, as well as the prices and availability because it may be necessary to book some activities in advance.
2. Check and compare travel insurance policies and purchase the family travel policy that best suits your needs.
3. Make an appointment with the family doctor for the necessary vaccinations. This can be found on the embassy website, in the same place as the visa requirements that you researched previously.
4. Organise your finances so that you know how much you have to spend and how much of your credit limits you have left. This will enable you to decide which cards you will take.


Two Months To Go
1. Purchase all of the necessary clothes and equipment for family travel.
2. Make sure that all of the accommodation and flights are fully paid and ready for you when you get there!


One Month To Go
1. Gather all of your documents together and photocopy them all twice, leaving one copy with your family and take another copy with you just in case there are any problems.
2. Organise any medication that you and your family will need.
3. Copy the itinerary that you have booked and planned so that your family knows exactly where you are going and when you will be going there.


A Week To Go
1. Purchase all travellers checks and money required for family travel.
2. Cancel any regular deliveries that you may have and pay up any bills, making sure that there is enough money in your account to cover any remaining bills
3. Pack for family travel!


After this checklist is complete, you should be good to go so you can just relax and enjoy yourself!


Travel Insurance – Family Travel

When preparing to travel with a family, there can be a multitude of different things to sort out – from tickets to taxis to the airport, as well as packing clothes, equipment and toys in between.


In amongst all the hassle of packing, arranging and ensuring your young ones will have enough to keep them occupied until you get to the hotel or resort at your destination, the thought of arranging insurance for your holiday might slip to the back of your mind.


Checking that you have adequate travel insurance before your trip is essential in order to ensure that you and your group are covered in the event of accidents and theft during your holiday.


Annual travel insurance policies can be purchased for longer periods of time, should you be making multiple trips during a short period of time.


Such deals can often work out cheaper than single-trip travel insurance and can help cover all members of your group during your holiday your family from a range of factors.


When searching for cover it is important to shop around, research different policies and the type of cover that they offer and, most importantly, to read the small print to check for any snags which could affect any claims.


Factors will depend on location and any planned activities during the holiday. Whilst activity holidays can be fun for all, but it is important to make sure you’re covered for sports such as jet-skiing and other activities that have an increased risk of injury.


It is also essential to ensure that your possessions are covered for the duration of your trip in order to protect against any financial loss as a result of theft, luggage and passport loss, travel delays and any other legal expenses.


There are also a wide range of companies that specialise in and offer family travel insurance. These policies can be catered to meet the needs of your holiday and help to cover costs should you or your children require any medical assistance during your trip.


Family Travel – Take Your Summer Vacation

Are you trying to plan a summer vacation with your family but finding it hard? Are you ready to throw in the towel? Family holidays are a time for your family to forget about work and school and enjoy time together. There are a number of reasons why families decide to skip a summer holiday.


Many families decide not to go because of cost. True, many families save for years to go on a dream vacation but a holiday doesn’t have to break the bank. Think of other options that are either close to home or save on expenses. A trip to a nearby amusement park can be a fun and exciting time for the whole family. If you combine it with an overnight stay at a hotel with a pool then it will really feel like you’re away from home and on vacation.


Also consider a camping trip; it gives the family a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy quiet time and fresh air. If sleeping bags and tents are not your idea of a good time then consider the inexpensive rustic family accommodations that many parks provide. Even a quick overnight trip to the great outdoors can give your family the relaxation they need.


You don’t have to travel very far to have an enjoyable time with the family. Think about playing tourist in your own city and take a day to enjoy museums and parks. Again, consider staying overnight in a hotel; it will give the kids a chance to play at the pool while you relax and have some quiet time away from home.


Scheduling can be a headache and is another reason why families decide to forgo a summer vacation. If both you and your spouse are working it can be hard to match up schedules so try to plan as far in advance as possible. If it just isn’t possible then consider splitting up; one parent can take the kids on a short trip and then the other parent. It’s not ideal since the entire family won’t be together but it’s better than not taking a vacation at all.


The benefits of taking a family holiday definitely outweighs the cost and hassles. With today’s demanding schedules, both parents and children feel the pressure of school and work and a break from it will relax and refresh. A family outing can also provide for quality time as a family; it may be one of the few opportunities to be together.


Taking a summer vacation as a family will be a fun and rewarding experience. It requires planning and preparation but will be well worth the cost and effort.


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