Vacations: A Time for Relaxation

by Tanisha Coleman (BPRW)

Planning a vacation is a fun, challenging, and exciting task. It’s something that families look forward to months in advance. So, whether you want to get your groove back in Jamaica, relax on a beach in Aruba, visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame in California, take a bite out of the big apple in New York, or experience the magic of Walt Disney World in Orlando …. there are hundreds of vacation destinations for you to choose from.

With all of the coordinating of time schedules, planning of itineraries, deciding upon travel arrangements, and the works, some African Americans forget that planning a vacation is supposed to be a fun vs. daunting task. After all …. Vacations are a time for relaxation!

Listed below are a few tips for planning your dream vacation from www.vacationidea.com:

• Decide on a family consensus. Does everybody want to relax on a beach, hike a mountain, visit a national park, play at a waterpark, go shopping or visit museums and cultural sites?
• Be in the know about how far you want to go and the means of transportation. Will you be traveling by plane, car, train or by boat?
• Narrow down those choices. You can’t go everywhere, so choose a couple of vacation destinations that can satisfy most of your vacation needs.
• Find out about all sorts of hotels and resorts in the area. Make sure that they offer the particular facilities that your family is looking for, such as a swimming pool, kid's programs or a spa. This is also a good time to find out about the hotel's reservation and cancellation policy.
• Plan your vacation budget, adding up transportation, accommodation, dining and entertainment expenses.
• Make all the necessary reservations, such as hotel rooms, airline and car rental reservations.
• It may be a good idea to purchase travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip, especially when traveling with young children.
• Make a shopping list of all the items that you have to purchase before you go. Purchasing that perfect last-minute swimsuit or outfit can be a nerve-racking experience.
Happy planning and remember that vacations are a time for relaxation!