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Article by Karen Koyler

For most people, the word “vacation” evokes images of relaxing on the beach, drinking a leisurely cappuccino in a quaint piazza in Europe, and/or reading a novel by a roaring fire at a ski lodge.  Now add the world “family” before it, and it takes on a whole different meaning!  Suddenly, you’re faced with images of frenzied packing of multiple suitcases, squeezing in research for restaurants that have gluten free options for your son, scheduling a princess breakfast for your daughter EXACTLY 120 days out in between staff meetings, or finding out at the last minute that the rental car may fit your family, but does NOT fit that extra piece of luggage you need to bring, never mind if someone still needs a stroller!

There ARE ways to survive the family vacation and even….enjoy it! However, it does take more than a simple click of the “Purchase Vacation Package Now” button on Expedia. It takes lots of pre-planning (yeah, sure in all your spare time right?)! Karen Kolyer a travel agent and a frequent “family vacationer”, has whittled down a list of some items that have helped to personally plan a great and wonderful vacation that is more stress free than stressful. –

• Let your child help you pack. Yes, that’s right. If you involve your child in SOME of the decision making of what toy or clothing is coming with you on your trip, there will be less whining about what you failed to include! –
• Whether it be personal DVD players, I Pads, the latest DS games, or sing a longs, entertainment is KEY to ward off the boredom of travelling to your destination.  So, pay the extra money for the JetBlue flight that has the personal TVs at each seat-trust me, you won’t be sorry! -\If travelling with young children, look into renting a house/villa/apartment instead of a hotel room.  The familiarity of a house set up is easier for a child to acclimate to than a hotel room.  Just make sure to bring a few of your own outlet covers and some extra cabinet locks.  Also, have your travel agent call ahead to ensure that it’s a child friendly home, aren’t too many stairs, includes a pack and play, etc.

• Get the GPS in your rental car, or make sure that your phone has a mapping app available for use.  Believe me, nothing saps a family’s vacation joy more than being lost in a car with crying children who are hungry or have to use the bathroom – or both.

• When travelling overseas, have your travel agent map out local supermarkets, hospitals, and pharmacies that are in the vicinity of where you’re staying.  If an emergency situation arises, you will be armed with the necessary information.

• Call your credit card company to advise them you will be travelling out of state and to not put a stop on your card due to fraud protection.  You do not want to be on a Caribbean island attempting to buy a bathing suit for your son (since he forgot his at home) and have the storeowner tell you your card is declined.  Yes, this happened to us!

• DO let your travel agent contact your hotel ahead of time letting them know of any special occasion your family or family member might be celebrating.–Sometimes it’s cheaper and easier to purchase bulky items such as diapers, formula, and baby food AT your destination rather than using up all the space in your luggage. Unless you’re staying in a small village in a remote area of Tuscany that only sells a few loaves of bread and some cheese, (Yup, this was me two years ago!).   Airlines gate check strollers and car seats for free, and they don’t count towards your carry on allowance.I find it helpful to even bring a stroller for my older child because even if he/she doesn’t want to sit in it, you can throw your carry-on items in the stroller and quickly roll your way to the gate.
• On domestic flights, infants fly for free as long as they are on your lap. I recommend that parents bring their car seat along in case the seat next to them happens to be unoccupied, since flying in a car seat is safest for your child. If you purchased a seat for your child and your car seat does not fit the airplane seat, the airline MUST provide you with a different seat that will fit your car seat!  The most important piece of advice I can give to you is to pack your sense of humor and your patience.  It might rain more than you’d like it to, your son might decide to tantrum when you tell him he can’t have an ice cream cone for breakfast, or your daughter might decide she would like to only wear her bathing suit the entire trip…. even to dinner.  No matter what happens, in about ten years, these will all go straight into that big photo album of life that will make the family laugh until they cry when they see that picture of Mommy looking like a big red tomato because she forgot to put suntan lotion on HERSELF. 

To speak with Karen about booking a vacation please contact her at:
(917) 622-2174