7 minute read

Deciding on a destination is not planning, although many people believe so. Even though it is a major factor in your holiday plans, it is just one piece of the puzzle – so much more goes into planning a perfect vacation. Especially if other factors are involved, you need to think about many aspects. For example, imagine taking a trip to an exciting country for the first time. Now, think about doing that with your kids. The idea might be amazing, but you may end up seeing nothing from the place without a plan. Moreover, it may take quite some time before you actually do the family traveling! So, how can you look forward to vacation time with your hectic schedule?

In cases like this, planning is bliss! The anticipation and excitement of what will come can get you through a lot. There are so many benefits of planning family vacations, you will be surprised.

The process of planning changes you

You might think, “How can a travel plan change me, considering I am not actually traveling?”. It is completely understandable to think this way, and it is quite expected. Nonetheless, according to a clinical psychologist, Carla Marie Manly, “The mere idea of getting away can bring a sense of immediate happiness”. If you try this at this exact moment, you will see that even the thought of you going to a foreign place will bring a smile to your face.

As Alex Palmer states in his article, “By planning a trip, you’re planting a seed of excitement in your mind for future-tense happiness”. And how can this be helpful now? Well, you can certainly manage your stressors more easily. Life can get hard, especially if you are dealing with a hard week at work or the changes in behavior in your children.

We all feel like all the problems in our lives disappear the moment we arrive at our vacation destination. So let that thought fill you with a sense of calmness and take it as a kind of meditation. Instead of taking deep breaths, you write down family trip ideas and activities on your list. Once you are done with it, you will feel that the energy around you has changed. And that is the miraculous power of planning family vacations.

You can choose the activities that suit your children

Another great feature of family vacation planning is that you can filter the activities in advance. You have time to research and see how the whole family can benefit from the trip. If you don’t do this beforehand, you might need to plan when you arrive at your destination – you will feel rushed and might not make the best decision. Rushed decisions can easily lead you to unpleasant situations during your vacation, and your family trip will not be what you expected.

However, if you do your research and plan your activities, you have the chance to include something beneficial and meaningful. For instance, you can opt for activities where the whole family can learn something new, especially your kids. Namely, by taking your children to places where many people are present, you can use the opportunity to teach them about travel awareness and safety. If you go to a place where bargaining is custom, they can see how it is done. It will be amusing and interesting. Moreover, you can encourage them to learn another language. Filtering the activities means arranging them to suit your needs and preferences. The saying, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer” is for a good reason!

You maximize your experience

What matters the most during your trip is the experience you obtain. While purchasing a souvenir is a great memory, nothing can measure up to the moments you have experienced with your family. Those live with you for years after your journey. When traveling, you need to savor every minute of your trip. And that is achieved through planning.

When you have a precise plan, you obtain the chance to be present at the moment. You do not think about what to do next, which spot to visit, or how to get to a place. Your whole attention is focused on the place you are in precisely. In other words, you ensure that everything you see and feel will be captured in your memory. That is what traveling is all about – moments that take our breath away and in which we are the happiest!

You can make your trip more affordable

Going on a vacation with your whole family is not easy because it requires impeccable organization. No wonder why so many people opt for a travel agent rather than doing the planning themselves. Having everything organized for you is easier, but it is, in fact, a “financial investment”, as Lindsay Day says in her blog.

She is right because staying in luxurious hotels with activities planned for you means spending half your savings. However, considering making your own holiday plans gives you access to various opportunities.

First, you will know how much money you will need, and you can start saving in advance. Second, you do not have to pay additional fees to travel agents who made the trip possible for you. Moreover, you get the chance to find discounts for activities you want to do on your vacation. Going through traveling agents is restricted when it comes to options.

So, if you make the calculations, you will spend more time planning – but less money. However, the family vacation planning process is fun, so it is basically a win-win situation for you.

You will have the chance to enjoy some special events

Have you ever seen photographs of foreign places with some interesting cultural activities? We bet you have thought about how fun would be to experience something like that. With planning ahead, you get the opportunity to be part of those special cultural events.

For instance, going to the Lisbon Oceanarium in Portugal or taking your children on a haunted Halloween tour in Dublin, Ireland, would be thrilling for the whole family. If you plan in advance, you can find the perfect timeframe for all the family members to attend such festivities. You never get to really know a place unless you blend in with its culture.

However, special events are not only fun but educational. Your children will learn about different cultures better when they experience them. Namely, fun and play are the only genuine way to get kids excited about learning. They acquire knowledge the best when they are excited and happy, so it is definitely worth the try.

You start the bonding even before setting off

When thinking about a family vacation, your main aim is most likely to spend quality time with your partner and kids. Nonetheless, if everything happens in a rush, the bonding chances can become slim. You do not want to begin your journey wrong, so consider planning everything beforehand!

When you plan a vacation, you construct a clear schedule and agenda. The neat organization of the trip allows you to relax and stop worrying about what you can do to make everyone happy. Moreover, you can discuss your plans with the whole family and agree on what everyone will like to do or try. This way, you not only consider everyone’s feelings and opinions but also get the chance to talk and get excited about the family trip.

You establish a good balance between work and pleasure

Planning a family vacation means establishing a balance between work and life. Everyone needs a break from the chaotic fast life we live nowadays. Acknowledging the necessity for rest is the first step toward self-care.

Anticipating your trip will make you feel relaxed and your work more bearable. At the same time, this way, you teach your kids how important it is to take care of yourself. If they see you always obsessed with work, they will get the idea that jobs are all that matter. Through planning family trips, you can show them how to establish a good balance. Moreover, you can explain to them that reconnecting with loved ones through traveling is the best therapy.

These benefits are only a part of what planning family vacations can bring you. Anticipating your journey is a way of self-love, so you need to give it a chance. It comes with miraculous results that money cannot buy.

Need more travel advice and inspiration for your family vacation? At FamXplor, you can discover various family activity ideas, so feel free to browse through our other blogs and plan the trip of your lifetime!

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