Plan now for next summer’s family vacation.

It happens more often than you would think. People call our office the last week of June and want help planning a family vacation for the long weekend over Fourth of July. They have looked online, and nothing is available. Can we help?

We sure can. Here’s how. With this advice: Book your family vacation a year in advance…six months at the minimum.

“It’s currently summer 2017. Why on earth would I want to think so far ahead?” you ask. For one, you likely have more downtime with your family to discuss your bucket list. Getting everyone thinking now about where they want to go one day can help you narrow it down when it comes to choosing a destination for next year’s Spring Break and summer family vacation. Trust me, once school is back in session, you won’t have time to give next summer a second thought. As the school days pass and the days at work seem to fly by, vacation time like Spring Break or summer vacation will sneak up on you. Before you know it, you will be back in the same boat as you were this summer, with only two weeks left to plan a vacation that is safe, fun, and enjoyable for everyone. If you plan your travel well in advance, you’ll be sailing smoothly right into the perfect family vacation next year.

Here are some benefits to thinking ahead:

Save Money on A Family Vacation

Many people think that waiting until the last minute to buy plane tickets or reserve hotel rooms will save them money. Sometimes that’s true, but most of the time a last-minute cheap ticket comes with a red-eye flight, or the “deal” at the resort is due to the undesirable room. When you plan your travel in advance, our travel consultants can assist in finding plane tickets and affordable, quality accommodations and within your budget.

More Options for Your Ideal Vacation

Family vacations are best when planned well in advance.

It’s unlikely that many people are looking at the exact same ideal vacation as yours, one whole year in advance. When you plan ahead, you’ll have more choices in regards to airfare, hotels, upgrades, extras, and of course excursions. No matter where you go, choosing your family’s excursions and activities throughout the stay is crucial to a memorable family trip. Just think: you’ll be swimming with dolphins instead of worrying that you and your family are missing out on that dolphin tour that everyone else in your hotel booked.

More Time to Make Decisions

With so many choices for excursions and activities, making a final decision can be hard. Thankfully, when you plan ahead, you’ll have more time to look through the lists of tours available and to think about things like the best time of day to go on certain excursions or whether or not an activity is one the whole family would enjoy. More time to plan allows you to make careful, unhurried decisions instead of the rushed, rash decisions that come with short notice. If you’re leaving the country, you won’t have to pay extra to expedite passports, and you’ll have plenty of time to research the areas you want to explore in a foreign country.

The Anticipation of a Family Vacation

An upcoming family vacation gives everyone something to look forward to during the stressful school year and work week.

After a long quarter or semester of school, you may hear a groan coming from the kitchen as your child sighs, “I don’t want to study anymore!” A gentle reminder that your family trip to the Caribbean is only a few weeks away will always raise spirits. You’ll be just as excited as they are when you realize that everything is in place and you don’t have to worry about the details.

*Ashley Spotts contributed to this article.

Planning a memorable family vacation can seem like a daunting task, but that’s why we’re here. Contact us today to set up a consultation for your 2018 Spring Break or Summer Vacation.

Tags: family vacation, spring break, summer vacation, travel deals, traveling with kids