Get the Most Out of Family Vacations

When I was a kid we could count on a week long family vacation every summer. These days with all of our extra curricular activities and busy schedules, it’s really hard for my family to get away for a whole week at a time. I guess you could say we are vacation dabblers. We tend to take several smaller, two to three day trips. With less time to get away, it’s more important than ever that we learn to get the most out of family vacations.

According to a new Embassy Suites survey of Parents magazine readers, busy families means less vacation “Maximizing” and more vacation “Dabbling”.

• A majority of families (56 percent)classify themselves as “vacation dabblers,” who take vacations days here and there throughout the year.

• More than one-­‐quarter (27 percent)consider themselves to be “vacation extenders,” tacking vacation days onto holidays when they already get time off from work/school.

• Families who take big, extended trips are in the minority; just 13 percent are “vacation maximizers” who bank up vacation days for one long trip.

• When it comes to vacation, families don’t wait until the last minute. Only four percent classify themselves as “vacation accumulators,” holding onto vacation days until the very end of the year, when they have to “use ’em” or “lose ’em”.

How do you get the most out of family vacations when taking shorter trips? Destination and location are both very important. We like to take road trips and there are a lot of fabulous places to visit here in the South East. If there is a particular destination or amusement we want to visit, I try to find a hotel that is located near our activities, so there is no wasted time on unnecessary travel. All inclusive vacations are great. Finding a hotel that includes breakfast and activities is always a plus. Planning is key and I can’t stress this enough. The best way to maximize your vacation is to have a well planned trip.

Here’s another great way to get the most out of family vacations according to Dr. Susan Biali and Embassy Suites. It’s actually something that we’ve done twice this year already. It’s wonderful when you can mix a little business with pleasure!

Turn a family obligation into a vacation opportunity. If your family can’t get away for a long vacation, but are traveling for family obligations, turn that trip into a mini getaway. Look for local family-­‐friendly sightseeing opportunities and treat yourself to a special family dinner while you’re on the road.

So which one are you: Vacation Dabbler, Vacation Extender, Vacation Maximizer, or a Vacation Accumulator?

To learn more about how to get the most out of family vacations visit Embassy Suites online, and connect with Embassy Suites on Facebook and Twitter.

I wrote this review while participating in an Ambassador Program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Embassy Suites Hotels and received a one-night complimentary stay at an Embassy Suites Hotel to facilitate my reviews and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.