So you’re a procrastinator?

Well, you’re not alone. According to a survey by Pies Steel (an HR prof at the University of Calgary), a whopping 95% of individuals admit to procrastinating. However, contrary to popular belief, you can snag last-minute fun family vacation deals. Here’s how to prepare for a trip with less than two weeks (that’s fourteen short days, folks) before “lift off”…

Days 1-2: Pick Your Destination

Of course, we suggest you jump over to GuestQuest to pick a family vacation destination, but if you’d rather do a Google search, that’s your prerogative. Generally, if you are planning your vacation with less than a month before traveling, it’s best to choose a locale that won’t require you to get special shots or fill out tremendous amounts of paperwork.

Days 3-5: Get on the Phone

It’s time to play The Negotiator, a la William Shatner. Once you’ve looked through all your vacation guides and [...]

As GuestQuest noted in our previous post, the shape of Michigan is reminiscent of a glove. No biggie, right? But contained in the word “glove” is the word “love”… so what better place than at one of those terrific Michigan hotels to get married?

In all seriousness, if you’re preparing to get hitched in the gorgeous state of Michigan, you need to keep in mind all the legal “stuff” that goes with getting a marriage license. Here, we’ve compiled a few tidbits of information to help get you started on your path to a beautiful partnership:

• If you’re not from Michigan, you’ll need to pay an extra $10 for your marriage license.
• Bring along an official ID if you’re getting betrothed at one of the many Michigan lodging and resort spots. Oh, and don’t forget your birth certificate (the original or a certified copy).
• Like Pennsylvania (see two posts [...]

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. [...]

So, you’re planning your 2008 family vacation destination and you’re perusing the travel guides for Alabama condos, Alabama resorts, and Alabama hotels. Smart idea! Alabama is a state rich in history with incredible topography!

However, like all states, Alabama has some wacky laws you might want to know about before you hop on that plane or jump in the minivan:

• Like to bear wrestle? Well, sorry… but Alabama law prohibits it. So if you wrestle Smokey to the ground, you’ll be in violation of unlawful bear exploitation, subject to penalties. (Fortunately, most Alabama family vacation destinations are bear-free, so the temptation to “rassle” will be minimized!)

• Planning to spend a day leisurely playing dominoes at one of Alabama’s fine resorts? Better make sure it’s on a weekday or Saturday, because dominoes is one of the many [...]

Homework… ugggh, right?

Most people recoil at the thought of researching anything, but when it comes to planning your best family vacations, it’s an essential element.

And, best of all, it can honestly be enjoyable!

You see, what most people forget is that half (at least) of the excitement of a family vacation is in working through all the details. Sure, it can be time-consuming, but as long as you’re doing it together, it can also be a wonderful time spent as a family.

Here are some great ways to get you started to making your family vacation homework a blast!

1. Give Everyone Something to Do!

Even little ones can help plan the next family vacation getaway by looking through vacation guides and travel magazines. If they can’t read yet, they can at least point to pictures of beaches, forests, snow-capped mountains, anything that catches [...]

It’s no secret. The holidays are dreaded by a good number of people. In fact, tons of adults feel completely overwhelmed by the mere mention of the impending expectations of November and December.

But listen closely.

There’s a way to beat those seasonal blues.

Just grab your nearest travel magazine, hop online and sign yourself and your closest kin or buddies up for a week “away from it all.”

Believe [...]

During our family vacation destination trivia tour, we’ve traveled from the northeastern part to the southeastern region of the United States.

Next up is a state with a young pulse and an historic past.

Can you guess its identity based on the following photos?

Still stumped? Try these fun facts on for size:

1. Author Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up in this state.

2. In 1904, this state hosted the World’s Fair. Iced tea was reportedly served during this even for the first time in recorded history.

3. The mule is this state’s animal.

4. This state was the birthplace of President Harry S. Truman.

5. In American Indian, this state’s name means: “Town of the Large Canoes.”

It’s the proverbial “gateway to the west”… none other than the [...]

A new day, a new chance to play GuestQuest’s family vacation spot trivia!

This time, we’ll choose a state south of the Mason-Dixon line where you and your kinfolk can discover the following cool locales:

Okay, so where are all these fantastic places?

Where can you find the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi, a cute-as-a-button otter and an amazing steam locomotive?

Sure as you’re born, it has to be South Carolina!

Yesirree, South Carolina offers more in the way of family vacation getaway possibilities than merely sunny beaches (though staying at a seaside South Carolina resort isn’t a bad way to spend a week or two!)

Try South Carolina on for size it. [...]