Summer is a tough one when it comes to traveling with the family. There’s a huge amount of choices and finding something that pleases every family member and works for every age group can be tough. Here are my top vacation ideas, apps & accessories to help you out this summer!
Vacations
wyndhamvacationrentals.com – July is National Vacation Rental Month, a great time to enjoy all the benefits of vacation rentals. Visit the site to browse over 108,000 vacation rental properties in nearly 600 unique destinations worldwide, from Florida’s pristine Emerald Coast and the Carolina coastlines to the Smoky and Rocky Mountains and amazing destinations abroad like Italy and France. Each rental comes equipped with a kitchen and many of the amenities of your own home, which makes taking the kids much cheaper and easier!
clubgetaway.com/family-camp – Club Getaway in Kent CT, offers Family Weekends & Midweeks where families stay together and play together, yet also have the freedom to enjoy the club without the kiddies. While you experience all the sports, adventure and entertainment the camp has to offer, the kids have use of the ‘The Club Getaway Kids Club and Teen Club’ or join you for hiking, biking, swimming and lounging by the lake.
visitbritain.com – Great Britain is a gorgeous destination in the summer time with a tone to do for families while providing the kids with a cultural experience. London is an iconic city, but there are also endless places to explore, from interactive museums to the London Eye, glorious parks and a vibrant nightlife, there’s something for everyone. Edinburgh, Scotland and Cardiff, Wales are equally fun for the whole family with a lively cultural scene. Both cities are a quick jaunt from London – Edinburgh by an hour flight and Cardiff by a two hour train.
Sites & Apps
dunhilltraveldeals.com – On this site you can browse by the type of vacation you are seeking, whether it’s a hotel stay, a vacation package with airfare, car rental or cruise. If you’re not sure of the destination, but know you want an all-inclusive package or a family vacation deal, you can browse through top deals using their Vacation Ideas to get inspiration.
Skyscanner.com – This site narrows down over 1,200 travel partners under one roof so you can really compare all options in one place to find the best deals on, airlines, travel sites, hotels and car rental. They also always show the final price, so you can actually compare options fairly.
Freebird.com – Time means everything when you travel; this app automatically rebooks your flight if you experience a cancellation or a delay of more than four hours or miss your connection. It’s is based on a simple per-leg pricing system: for $19 one-way or $34 round-trip, travelers can have the peace-of-mind guarantee and don’t have to stand in long lines waiting to get on the next flight.
Handy Accessories:
BubbleBum – is the most advanced, proven, and tested inflatable car booster seat on the market for kids ages 4-11. Safe and secure and light-weight, this product is perfect for trips, fly-ins with car rental, taxis, and a spare for the family stay at a friend’s or relative’s house. It’s portable, inflates in 20 seconds, and fits 3 across and is only $29.99.
Travelsmith Packing Cubes – make organized packing a reality, organizing garments and accessories by category so that when you get to your beach destination and the kiddos are rushing to hit the waves, you can simply grab the smart pack with all of their beach necessities! Their nylon cubes are lighter than standard packing cubes; packs weigh only 5.6 oz. but just as stable (set of 3 for $29.00 makes them affordable too.)
MyBuckleMate – helps once kids grow into a booster seat and strapping into the adult safety belt can be challenging. Investing in a buckle stabilizer can make latching safety belts easier in the back seat for kids who are still trying to master buckling on their own. Reinforce the idea of family safety this summer by instilling the “1-2-3 click” attitude, no exceptions! Comes in red, black, beige, gray, and tan for ages 3 and up, and retails at $14.99.