So now you are ready to do some family vacation planning! Each step requires a different heading so have a quick look ahead and write down the headings you need to consider. Write the headings down the left hand side of your page leaving a good few lines between each.

STEP 1 TRAVEL / DATES:
Decide when are you going and returning and by what form of transport. Look at everyone’s note book and find the best time that suits everyone. Consider off-peak versus peak time because this will affect many of your costs. Can you travel outside school holiday time? Do you need a short break or an extended vacation? In my experience it takes you 1 week to stop thinking about work and your regular life, one week to begin to relax and so if you need a proper rest and actually want to enjoy the vacation you have booked, stay that third week. I promise you it will be the best out of the three!

STEP 2 DESTINATION:
Where are you going? Write down the places you are hoping to get to. It’s not always easy deciding on a place that makes everyone happy though. He wants serenity, she wants good shopping. He wants to read a book, she wants some action. You could make a list of each of your top 3 and see if you agree on any? Do you have time to travel far? Think about what what you want to see and feel while you are away? Do you want to see the beach or the mountains, be in the bush or visit lots of friends? Also, do you want to rough it or need luxury? Will you camp out or stay in a hotel or somewhere in between?

STEP 3: ITINERARY:
What would you like to do on your holiday? Sometimes this needs to be left to spontaneity but you could at least have listed interest points of the area so when you come to a day where everyone doesn’t know what to do, you could pull out the list, compare it with the weather and decide on a fresh activity. Make sure it is a list that has been prepared by the family so there are activities there that everyone is interested in. If you do want to make the most of everyone waking moment with new experiences then definitely plan out your days