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Set a goal. What kind of vacation do you want? Rest and relaxation? Unencumbered family time? Nonstop action:
An all-inclusive resort or a cruise with child care will no doubt give you more R & R-in fact, parents and children may see little of each other. A house at the beach is more likely to net family time, with the potential risk of too, much togetherness. A theme park will keep you plenty busy if your brood likes to keep moving.
Ask "What is there to do?" That idyllic Berkshires retreat looks perfect, but the lovely view of the rolling hills won": entertain the kids. And card games and jacks may wear on mom and dad. Before renting, ask the agent about local activities-swimming, bike trails, alpine slide. Visiting a hotel in the city? Call the concierge ahead of time and ask about "must-do" activities that might require reservations.
Think "location, location, location." It may seem pennywise to book off-the-beaten trail accommodations. But such remote areas can be lonely, especially if you've got kids who like other kids for company. The arrangement may also be impractical if it translates into long drives for food and entertainment.
Involve children in planning. Unusual destinations can become more interesting for children if you pique their curiosity. Show them maps and brochures of the area; rent movies or read books about it. Movie buffs-in-training will probably get a kick out of knowing about any films that have been shot there, and budding athletes are sure to like details about local sports heroes and pro teams.
Be realistic. Theme and water parks are natural family destinations. But be mindful of such things as height restrictions before committing. A park's bent for high-speed thrills may leave little for small children to do-or worse, frustrate wannabe riders who don't make the cutoff.
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Use a family-friendly travel agent. Such experts can point you to the latest and greatest in family resorts. Apart from the planning, a knowledgeable agent can avert disaster, reminding you about things you might not think of, like car-seat rentals and child-care program reservations. They can also run interference should something go wrong.
Be mindful of whether the hotel is child-friendly. Many, but not all, high-end haunts welcome kids. Clues are in the descriptions. "Premier family resort" is a keeper. "Romantic boutique hotel," maybe not. Some places tread the middle ground, as in, "Children over 12 always welcome." Such a disclaimer may be a hint to look elsewhere, or risk facing withering stares upon arrival. When in doubt, ask.
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