HowToDoThings.com Recent Family Travel Articles

How To Travel to Maui with Children

lstoller — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:12:18 -0500

Dreaming about a family trip to Maui? You're sure to have the time of your life, but before you say "aloha," you've actually got to plan your adventure. Each family has its own set of needs, and traveling with children can be overwhelming. What do you want out of the trip? Here are a few points to consider as you plan your family trip to Maui:

How To Enjoy London's Hyde Park

apolman — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:03:23 -0600

Hyde Park is one of London's grandest parks. It dates from the mid 1500's, when King Henry VIII acquired it as a hunting ground. Today Hyde Park serves a larger number of purposes and due to its large size and diverse array of features it makes a fantastic location to spend a day. Entry to the park is free and opening hours are from 5am to midnight. To enjoy your day in Hyde Park you might like to take on board some of these handy hints.

How To Plan a Family Vacation in London, England

apolman — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:53:49 -0600

London, the capital of England, is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. It has a reputation of being a rather busy and expensive city and probably not the place you'd most likely choose for a family vacation. Don't let this deter you. London is a great place for a family vacation and many activities that can be enjoyed by children don't cost all that much. Let this guide help you to plan your getaway

How To Plan a Family Vacation to Sydney, Australia

apolman — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:49:13 -0600

Sydney, Australia, is often mistaken by many foreigners as the capital of Australia; it's not. Sydney is well-known for many things such as the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the 2000 Olympics, great food and great fun. If you have ever thought about taking a family trip to Australia, then this guide is for you. There are so many family friendly activities that will have you tucking the kids into bed worn out every night! Check them out:

How To Drive Long Distances Safely

omehaney — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:43:40 -0600

It's inevitable that we have to drive a long distance at some point in our lives and we would like to do so safely. Whether we are going on vacation or moving cross-country, getting the drive over with as quickly as possible is usually the objective. Before embarking on your next four-wheeled adventure, consider the following to help you stay alert and safe:

How To Travel with Children

teamlarson — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:44:22 -0600

Traveling is one of our family's favorite activities, but it hasn't always been that way. When I was a child, each Christmas we'd take a long road trip to see each set of grandparents. By the end of the trip, my brother and I were covered with war wounds from our back seat fighting, and my parents were no longer talking to each other. What started as a happy holiday trip would inevitably turn into a scene out of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

Family travel can be enjoyable and instill memories that will last a lifetime if you take a little time to plan. Here are a few simple tips that will help:

How To Save Money on Accommodations by Hostelling

triple1 — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:23:33 -0600

Backpackers and students have known about hostels for generations. Nowadays, the differences between hostels and hotels are diminishing. Many adults, including those with families, save money by staying in these cheap accommodations.

Modern establishments often provide many unexpected extras like:

Shuttle service to and from airports, railway terminals, etc.;
Comfortable guest 'common areas' with cable or satellite TV;
DVD players and extensive DVD libraries;
High-speed Internet access - free or at a price;
Safety deposit boxes for guests' possessions;
Guided city tours;
Building or guestroom access doors with computer key-cards;
Private rooms and private bathrooms.

Many of these amenities are what you might expect from a high-class hotel. However, accommodations do differ.

How To Plan a Trip to the Holy Land

nancylapid — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:37:27 -0500

Do you keep putting off your visit to Israel, as if it's a trip you can make only once in a lifetime? Are you intending to go someday when your kids are grown, or your life is in better order, or maybe after you've won the lottery? I'm here to tell you: Stop putting off your first trip. Go this year! Here's how to plan it.

How To Plan a Maui Vacation

erik — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:57:29 -0500

In Maui, they say, "Maui no ka oi," which means "Maui is the best!" Now, of course, in Kauai, they say, "Kauai no ka oi" and in Oahu, they say, "Oahu no ka oi," but in Maui, it's really true. Maui has a little bit of everything for everyone, from beautiful beaches to remote, unspoiled territory to bustling shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Here are some steps to help you plan your Maui vacation:

How To Plan a Christmas Vacation

Beth141 — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:46:00 -0600

For many people, the perfect Christmas is one spent at home, sitting around their own Christmas tree, opening gifts and eating a home-cooked meal. For many others, though, Christmas is a great time to get away, to go some place exotic, or to take a traditional trek to a favorite resort. If you're thinking that Santa's got the right idea - traveling the globe during Christmas - and you'd like to plan a Christmas vacation of your own, consider the following trip-planning tips.

How To Get a Discounted Lift Ticket

The2 — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:10:00 -0600

Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular winter sports; they're also two of the most expensive. Unfortunately, after getting to the mountain, renting (or buying) gear and buying a lift ticket, your wallet can be a lot skinner than it was before you left. However, if you plan ahead and consider all your options, there are some easy ways to save a few bucks on lift tickets...even if you're just going to spend it on lunch in the lodge.

How To Plan Family Adventure Vacations

Kara470 — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 13:34:00 -0600

Adventure travel has come a long way in the past few decades. Destinations and activities once reserved for only the hardiest of souls are now open to active travelers of all ages and abilities-including kids!

Family adventure travel could be as mellow as a weekend stay at a Colorado dude ranch or as "out there" as a week heli-skiing in Iceland. It all depends on your family's interests, experience and budget. Here are some tips for finding the most ideal adventure vacation for you: Narrow down your adventure focus.

How To Book Family Cruise Vacations

Kara470 — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 08:57:00 -0600

A cruise-whether it's to Alaska, Hawaii, the Mediterranean or the Caribbean-is an awesome, hassle-free way to take a family vacation. With multiple ports of call, you have the opportunity to explore a corner of the world and only have to unpack once. So many of the arrangements are already made for you: Your accommodations, meals, entertainment, and most activities are paid for in advance, so you just show up at the dock with your suitcases and your camera, ready to make some incredible family memories.

With so many cruise lines operating different itineraries to various parts of the world (did I mention Antarctica?), it can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide which cruise company, which itinerary, and which ports of call would be best for your trip. Here are some tips to help you decide on your family cruise vacation:

How To Plan Hawaii Family Trips

Kara470 — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 21:45:00 -0600

With its white-sand beaches, lush mountain vegetation, mystical history and cheerful "aloha spirit," Hawaii is undoubtedly a magical place. Plus, there's so much to do on the islands: surfing, snorkeling, hiking, flying in a helicopter, touring vineyards, experiencing an authentic luau-or simply building sandcastles on the beach.

The 50th state has long been a popular honeymoon destination, but the Hawaiian Islands are incredibly appealing to families, too. It might be a long haul from the mainland, and it's certainly not an inexpensive vacation option, but think of the amazing experiences you and your family can share on these marvelous tropical islands.

If you're planning a family trip to Hawaii, consider these tips:

How To Pack for a Family Beach Vacation

Victoria116 — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:03:00 -0500

Packing for a family vacation at the beach can be an overwhelming task, but if you're organized you can get the job done in no time at all. Here are some tips on how to pack for a family beach vacation:

How To Plan Disneyland Vacations

Amber212 — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:36:00 -0500

Many times Walt Disney World takes precedence over all the other Disney theme parks, including Disneyland. Most people don't realize that Disneyland was actually the first park that Disney opened when he decided to fulfill his dream. Opened in 1955, Disneyland almost went bankrupt when a heat wave destroyed the appeal during the opening months. Within 10 years, though, Disneyland had more than 50 million visitors.

The Parks: Disneyland is much smaller than Walt Disney World. It is only made up of two parks: Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure Park. California Adventure Park celebrates everything about the Golden State from the piers to the lights; many of the new rides are located in this park.

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How To Pack for a Family Weekend Getaway

Veronica160 — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:04:00 -0500

You've got a destination in mind, gas in the tank, and a family ready for fun. Now it's time to pack. Use these guidelines to get started and you'll be out the door and on the road in no time.

Enlist the help of your kids. Teach your children valuable organizational skills by letting them pack their own items. It will ease your load and foster self-reliance and self-responsibility in your children.

To help them get started, create a checklist. Older children can handle a checklist independently while younger children may need verbal cues such as, "Now go get two pairs of pants."

Consider getting each child his own duffle bag or backpack for his clothes, hairbrush, toiletries, and small stuffed animal or toy. Be sure to double check what the children pack to ensure no one ends up crying about not having enough socks or underwear!

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How To Plan a Dollywood Theme Park Vacation

Amber212 — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 05:42:00 -0500

While most people first think of Six Flags, Disneyland and other theme parks, country music lovers and Smoky Mountain vacationers are drawn to Dollywood. Dolly Parton's theme park is in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, and it has something for everyone. There are fun rides, shows and special events for the whole family every week. If you're planning on visiting Dollywood, here are a few tips to make your planning a little easier and less expensive.

The best part about Dollywood is that it is truly kid-friendly. There are baby areas throughout the park, and any restaurant in the park will warm a bottle for you. The park even requests that visitors dress appropriately and avoid clothing with offensive images so that the park remains hospitable to families.

How To Choose Family Vacation Destinations and Vacation Packages

Amber212 — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:59:00 -0500

Choosing your destination is the first step when planning a family vacation. You want a destination that will offer something for the entire family, not just the kids. Finding that perfect destination and a perfect vacation package to go with it may take a little research, but it's by no means impossible. Here are some things to consider when choosing your destination.

Choosing Your Destination.

Remember the limits. Children and older adults have one common problem: they tire easily. You can't expect to take an elementary-age child on a cross country skiing trip that they will enjoy. Now there might be a few exceptions, but for the most part, they will be completely worn out before the first day is over.

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How To Find Cheap and Affordable Family Vacations

Amber212 — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 06:27:00 -0500

Most of us think we need to spend a lot of money to have a memorable family vacation, but that just isn't true. You can take the whole family on the vacation of a lifetime for a price that won't haunt you months and years later.

Helpful hints for finding the lowest prices:

Whenever possible, book hotels and plane tickets online. The general rule is that talk isn't cheap. Employee time costs a lot, and companies save money when you place an order over their website instead of talking to a person. They usually pass these savings to you when you order online.
Hotels: You can easily save 20-30% booking your hotel online. Try websites like Hotwire.com, Expedia.com, or even Priceline.com. If you're willing to be flexible, you can save a great deal of money.

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How To Plan for Travel with Kids

Amber212 — Fri, 19 May 2006 19:04:00 -0500

After you have kids, the way you plan for travel can completely change. You suddenly have much more to consider than just whether you and your spouse like the destination and can arrive there without getting lost. Here are a few tips to make traveling with kids a little easier.

Choose a great destination: The destination should have something of interest to everybody in the family. Neither parents nor kids should have to spend an entire vacation bored to tears. Generally, that just means that the bored person(s) annoys everyone else the entire time.
Packing: Children can get cold much more quickly than the rest of us. Know all the weather possibilities so that you can pack appropriately. Keeping yours kids comfortable is essential. Packing a light jacket can make restaurants feel much more comfortable and make for happier meals.

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How To Find Kids' Travel Games

Amber212 — Fri, 19 May 2006 18:45:00 -0500

During a long trip of any kind, keeping your children entertained will likely be your greatest challenge. Kids' travel games can help ease your fears of hours of fighting as they keep the kids excited, interested, and friendly throughout the trip.

Finding the travel games, though, can also be a challenge. Here are a few ideas on great games to play and where to find them.

Classic Games: You would be amazed by how many games remain popular through the years. When you need to keep the kids occupied, you can always pull out an old favorite like the ABC Game or I Spy.
Wally World: Walmart, Target, and similar stores have a huge selection of games. You can take the kids or go alone and pick a number of popular travel games that will keep them entertained throughout the trip.

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How To Find Discount Theme Park Tickets

Amber212 — Wed, 17 May 2006 20:09:00 -0500

Last year some of my friends decided to take their family to a popular theme park. They hadn't been to the park since they were children, and though they expected higher prices now, they were shocked when they checked out the website.

How To Plan Family Ski Vacations

Amber212 — Sat, 06 May 2006 09:00:00 -0500

Planning a ski vacation for your family can be either a lot of fun or a chore. It's all about what you know. So, in the interest of making your ski vacation planning simple, here are a few tips on how to plan a great trip and save money all at the same time.

Choose a Resort. Mountains in the West are steeper and longer with more difficult runs. They also have more natural powder snow. For those interested in cross-country skiing, the terrain is far more difficult in the West. In the East, mountains are generally not as tall and steep, so the runs are shorter for downhill skiing, while the flatter terrain is better for cross-country skiing.

For downhill skiing, be sure to find out what types of runs are at each resort. Some resorts will have better runs for learning (green circles). Blue squares signify intermediate-level runs, while black diamonds are expert-level runs.

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How To Plan Family Beach Vacations in the United States

Laura134 — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 19:18:00 -0500

There is perhaps no better family vacation than one spent on the beach. It's enjoyable for the whole family. There are several popular beach destinations in the United States, including the East Coast, West Coast, and the Gulf. With any of these great beach destinations, if you plan ahead, you and your family can enjoy the vacation you've been looking forward to all year.