There’s no doubt that frequent family travelers have a list of must-haves. But you can’t squeeze everything into a suitcase, car, or carry-on bag. Below is a list of must-haves for families that are ‘seasoned’ travelers and those who are taking their first trip.

Healthy family

You probably already know that it’s important to get regular checkups. Your health is a MUST-HAVE for your family travel. Traveling when you’re sick is never a good idea. You won’t have any energy and you can make the people around you sick.

It’s never a good idea to travel with with sick children.

Make sure everyone sees the doctor before you leave on your family vacation. It’s important that your family is in good health to travel. Otherwise, you could find yourself dealing with sickness on your vacation, and you trip will be a short one.

Toys

Family road trips can be fun! [...]

A family vacation is when a family comes together to share a wonderful travel experience; to create memories that will last a lifetime. Sometimes, it works out that way. And sometimes you have travel memories you’d like to forget.

“Are we there yet?”

“I’m hungry!”

“I have to go to the bathroom!”

How many times have you heard those phrases while you’re speeding down the highway in your SUV or RV with the entire family? What about when you’re 30,000 feet in the air?

Let’s face it; taking the family on vacation can be an adventure in and of itself. Please everyone and you’ll have an enjoyable family vacation.

Before you surprise your family with a family vacation, hold a meeting to discuss it instead. Hear and listen to what your kids have to say about ‘suggested’ family vacation destinations.

Teenagers may not be thrilled to travel during [...]

The latest travel trend is grandparents traveling with grandchildren — with and sometimes without parents. Grandparents traveling with grandchildren can bond with them and create memories that will last a lifetime. Below are tips for grandparents traveling with grandchildren — follow these and you’ll have the time of your life!

Choose a travel destination that’s “right” for everyone.

It’s important to plan a family vacation that appeals to everyone; otherwise, traveling with grandchildren may not be fun. Ask your grandchildren where they’d like to go and what they’d like to do on vacation. Review all of the travel ideas and plan a vacation that everyone will enjoy.

Air travel.

You don’t want air travel to be your first vacation with your grandchildren. However, after you’ve traveled a few times, plan a beach or adventure vacation that requires you to fly to the destination.

Tip #1: Book non-stop flights [...]

Traveling with the entire family can be an adventure in and of itself. Kids get tired and cranky as do moms and dads. Lighten up! Family travel is supposed to be enjoyable and fun. Follow the 7 rules for family travel listed below to make your next family vacation the best one yet!

1. Choose a family vacation that’s right for the whole family. Before scheduling your next family vacation, vote on it. Gather everyone’s input and weigh the pros and cons of each travel vacation idea. If a vacation is vetoed, explain why. Kids need to understand that while their effort is appreciated, their vacation idea may not be feasible at this time.

2. Select the right time for a family vacation. It’s important to schedule a family vacation that works for everyone. If you kids look forward to summer camp each year, [...]

Located in a safe and exciting area this award-winning hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast with fresh waffles, free access to Bally’s Health Club next door, expanded cable TV with HBO and Lodgenet pay-per-view, USA Today newspaper, and duvets or triple sheeted beds. All rooms have 27″ TV’s, laptop safes, alarm clock radios, hairdryers, and voice mail. Business-class rooms offer extra amenities including 30% additional Wyndham Rewards points! Convenient valet parking is available.

Guests walk to Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park Zoo, Diversey Driving Range, DePaul University, Children’s Memorial Hospital and other world-renowned hospitals, Chicago Beaches and Chicago’s LGBT Community. Just minutes north of the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, the Chicago Loop, Millennium Park, The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, McCormick Place, and Merchandise Mart, the hotel is close to cultural institutions as well as world class shopping.

Days Inn Chicago

644 W. Diversey Pkwy

Chicago, IL 60614

(This is part ii in our series exploring the possible connection between experiencing the best family vacation of your life by considering your astrological sign!)

LIBRA

In a nutshell: You are very open-minded and can usually find the best in any situation. So if you’re going to be on vacation with many people, you may find yourself being the negotiator or decider for the whole group.

SCORPIO

In a nutshell: You are an intense individual, and you like to get your way. You may need to pick a place from the get-go that you know everyone is going to like. Try a family vacation hotspot that’s hard for others to refuse, like condos in North Carolina or a Florida vacation condo.

SAGITTARIUS

In a nutshell: You’re a fun-loving sort who craves adventure. Since it’s doubtful you want to sit around all the time at your family vacation destination, make sure there’s plenty for you to [...]

Did you know your family has a collective “personality”?

It’s true… and that means you can plan your best family vacation ever around everyone’s aggregate likes and dislikes.

Just take this handy-dandy quiz and see whether your family should look into Canada lodging in the wilds of Saskatchewan or Delaware resorts where the pampering’s a’plenty.

1. My family is very adventurous.

a. You bet! We like excitement and lots of it!
b. Sorta… but nothing too wild and crazy, please.
c. Yeah, right. We’re stable Mabels around here.

2. My family loves to try new things.

a. From spicy foods to mountain climbing, bring it on!
b. Uh. Sometimes.
c. Not us – we like to stick with what we know!

3. My family takes plenty of pictures when on vacation.

a. Who has time to take photos when you’re parasailing or spelunking?
b. We take as [...]

You’re getting married? That’s fantastic! Now the planning can begin… and if you’re dead set on making a Virginia lodging facility the site of your “I dos”, you’re in luck.

This “southern, but not too southern” state is a family vacation destination and boasts mountains and a relaxing shoreline. However, you need to know the ins and outs of getting a marriage license in Virginia before you can proceed with your dream wedding.

• If you’ve been married before, you may have to provide proof that you’re either divorced or widowed. This depends on the county; if you already have any of the numerous Virginia condos in mind as your destination, the staff there may be able to help you find out if their county requires documentation in this area.

• The fee to get married in Virginia is relatively low – under $40 as of the writing of this post. [...]