Americans Agree: Family Vacations Still Worth The Money
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Families that play together stay together – at least that’s the common wisdom. Even in tough economic times, family vacations are worth the money, Americans agree.
In a national study by Expedia.com, 94 percent of Americans agreed it was worth it to take a family vacation. Why? Because they help build memories that last a lifetime and reinforce family bonds. Nearly 85 percent of those surveyed think the time they spend together as a family is what makes a trip special. The good news is, travel costs have dropped significantly in the last year, making family vacations the most affordable they’ve been in years.
This year, rather than forgoing a vacation altogether, many people are staying closer to home and taking shorter trips. Whether you have a day, weekend or an entire week to get away, trips within driving distance can be fun and help save money. In fact, good old-fashioned road trips haven’t gone out of style. Most people (seven in 10) still enjoy them because they like making stops at family-friendly attractions and seeing interesting sights along the way.
Travel expert Lee Woodruff says online resources like Expedia.com are a great way to help plan a great family vacation on a small budget.
“Expedia has a brand new tool called Drive Getaway. You plug in where you are in the country, how far you want to go on a tank of gas or less and they’ll come up with all kinds of ideas and places that you can go with the kids for one, two, three nights, whatever it may be,” Woodruff says.
Some other tips for getting the most out of your family vacation:
Take advantage of last minute deals – More than a quarter of Americans (27 percent) who have been on family vacations feel a spontaneous trip is more fun for their family than one planned well in advance of the vacation date. The good news is there’s still time to take advantage of great vacation savings. Snap up dramatically discounted hotel rooms in top cities and beaches at Expedia.com’s last minute deals page.
Revisit the past – Many of our fondest memories come from family trips. Revisiting favorite destinations that you remember as a child can be a great way to spend time off with your family. Nearly two in three (64 percent) parents who enjoyed family vacations while growing up have taken their own families to destinations they visited as a child. “Sharing a trip from your childhood is a special way to connect with the entire family and relive the memories you created in the past,” says Woodruff.
Don’t over schedule – “Remember, this is a vacation! Don’t over schedule. One activity or site a day is plenty,” advises Woodruff. Trips to larger attractions can be alternated with inexpensive or free activities like picnics in nearby parks to help families stick to their travel budgets.
Involve the whole family –”Whatever you decide, be sure to get the kids involved in the planning. They’ll be more cooperative and have a lot more fun if they feel they have a say,” says Woodruff. Cruises can be a great option for family vacations. They offer activities that are fun for everyone and help families stick to their travel budgets since most cruises are all-inclusive.
Think off season – Booking travel during off-peak travel times can help maximize travel budgets. “While more than half of Americans like to take family vacations during summer, booking travel in the fall after Labor Day weekend can be just as enjoyable. Planning travel for off-peak times also allows travelers to take advantage of travel deals and smaller crowds,” says Woodruff. Booking air and hotel together is another way to save money regardless of when you plan on traveling throughout the year. Travelers can save more than $200 per trip when they book their airfare and hotel together.
The average American who has taken a family vacation at some point in their lives admits it has been five years since they had a truly great trip with their loved ones. There’s no better time than the present to hit the road and have some fun making memories with family and loved ones.
For more information about travel deals and destinations visit www.expedia.com.
Courtesy: ARAcontent
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