The first step is to decide what you really want as a vacation: luxurious couples-only getaways, family trips full of tourist attractions, and quiet camping trips all involve different pros and cons, and different costs. Here are a few tips that will help you enjoy a wonderful, affordable getaway tailored to your needs:
Planning a Successful Trip
Set a goal. Determine your vacation budget by figuring out how much you would like to spend daily on food, lodging and transportation, and souvenirs and entertainment. Open up a vacation bank account, and take a bit of money from each paycheque to go toward that goal. Many online resources, such as Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, offer free travel budgeting advice.
When you take your vacation can dramatically alter the final cost. Consider off-peak travel times; national holidays, Spring Break and other school breaks are traditionally expensive times to travel.
Shop for the bargains. If you are flexible in terms of departure dates and destinations, keep an eye out for last-minute deals. Do some research online to find reasonably-priced flights and hotel packages, or use Air Miles, CAA or Costco memberships to get bargains on flights, hotels, car rentals and tourist attractions.
Buy a travel book that will help you plan activities and meals you can afford – or better yet, borrow a book from your local library, or do your research online, create your own little travel planner and print the information you will need will abroad.
Find out about family days and free evenings for tourist attractions and events you would like to see. Many museums and galleries offer free admission on specific days.
Enjoying a Family Vacation
When you arrive at your destination, go to a tourist kiosk or ask hotel staff about cheap restaurants – find out where the locals eat! – public transit, group tours, and daily or weekly passes that will allow you to save money on local transportation, museums and attractions.
Give kids a vacation allowance. They will enjoy the freedom of being able to choose their own souvenirs and by encouraging them to stick to their travel budget instead of buying everything they want, parents will end up saving money.
Try to book a hotel room or a motel room with a kitchenette or at the very least, a microwave. You will be able to save lots of money, if you don’t have to pay for restaurant meals three times a day.
Stock your hotel room fridge with beverages, fruit, and other snacks that you can buy at local grocery stores instead of paying large hotel prices. You can also bring your own snacks, especially on road trips.
Plan for a special treat. Knowing that you and your family members will get one nice treat when you arrive at your destination can make budgeting a bit more palatable: splurge on just one item of clothing you can’t get at home, a family day at a special theme park, one meal at a fine restaurant, or a spa treatment to relax half-way through your trip.
Remember that vacations don’t have to break the bank. A picnic on the beach, a day at the park, and a photo safari around city streets can be cheap and exciting for the whole family. Getaways are about spending quality down time with the people you love, and doing things you enjoy.
Andree Lachapelle - Andrée reviews books, movies and local events, and brings you essential beauty, fashion, travel and wedding planning tips.
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