Family Vacations

Make time to make memories! It sounds so easy, doesn’t it? But Armed Forces Vacation Club knows how difficult it can be for military families to find time to take a vacation. So when the stars (and schedules) align and you’re able to carve out a week or even just a few days of time, we want to help you make the most of your vacation. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Stick to a budget – Nothing adds extra stress to a vacation like being surprised by how much everything costs. Try to do some pre-planning to anticipate things like how many meals you need to eat out, which activities you’ll need to pay for and any other additional costs that could pop up. A little extra research can help remove the sticker-shock factor of your vacation.
2. Look for accommodations with extra space – Spending time together is always special, but sometimes you need just a little added space to keep those happy feelings going. Traditional hotel rooms can tend to be a bit cramped, and make it feel like you’re on top of each other. Try out a vacation rental for some breathing room – accommodations typically separate living and sleeping spaces, so you can protect those sacred nap times!
3. Don’t over plan – Vacation is meant to be at least a little relaxing! Don’t get us wrong, having a plan is ALWAYS a great idea, but know your families limits and don’t plan to push them beyond. Try starting with one planned activity per day and go from there.
4. Capture the moment – Remember to clear out some space on your smartphone before you set off on vacation so that you’ll be ready to take lots of pictures of all the smiles, activities and more while you’re away. Grab a few disposable cameras for the kids to document the trip from their perspective too!

Remember these tips when planning, and the memories you make on your family vacation are sure to be your most valuable souvenirs.

Looking for more tips on how to plan the best possible Family Vacation, check our AFVC’s Family Vacations article and more in their Vacation Planning Resource Center.

P.S. Don’t forget that Armed Forces Vacation Club offers free membership for all active duty, guard, reserve and retired members of the Armed Forces, as well as civilian employees of the DOD. Join today!