My friend, Heather, recently shared her Fairmont Vacation Bucket List. Using this strategy, Heather and her family enjoy resort amenities and visit the areas where they vacation. They don't get stuck with "what do you want to do?" conversations, which generally go nowhere or leave someone unhappy.
Making a Vacation Bucket List is easy!
1. Choose destinations wisely.
- Don't like the sun, sand and sea, then don't go to the beach! (I truly cannot imagine such a scenario, but I know there are some anti-beach readers out there somewhere)
- Like the city, but not the country, then choose a destination with lots of "citified" activities. (Lucky me. I like both.)
- Love the roller coasters but the kids are tiny, then wait a few years. (Or leave the kids with grandma!)
2. Create a list of possible activities at your vacation destination.
- Visit the hotel website to understand the amenities offered, especially resort hotels, and start a tentative to do list for the resort.
- Search travel information sites like TripAdvisor, MetroMarks, and Frommer's to explore the areas you will visit. Simply enter the location or attraction name in the search box at most sites to learn about the area you plan to visit. (Be sure you check out the destinations we feature here at Family Travels on a Budget as well!)
- Create a list of potential activities based on initial reactions. You don't need to know everything yet.
3. Discuss options with the family (all traveling adults and kids old enough to offer opinions).
- Ask family members to pick two or three "must do" activities from your tentative list of activities. It's okay if more than one person selects the same activity -- the goal here is to make sure everyone gets to do something they really want to do. This becomes the family "bucket list."
- If you have lots of options, ask the family to select their next two or three favorites from the remaining activities to create a "would like to do" list.
- Consider a rainy day list and ask everyone to pick one activity for a rainy day (shopping, nice restaurant, bowling, museums, movies, etc.)
4. Add important information to your Vacation Bucket List. Include address, ticket prices, operating hours, phone and/or website info so you don't have to look it up again on vacation.
That's it: Your Vacation Bucket List is complete! Remember to pack it!
Have you used a vacation bucket list (even if you gave it a different name)? How did it work?
Do you have suggestions to improve our bucket list process? Please share! Of course, if you have any questions, ask!
Have you used a vacation bucket list (even if you gave it a different name)? How did it work?
Do you have suggestions to improve our bucket list process? Please share! Of course, if you have any questions, ask!
Happy Travels!
8 comments:
this sounds easy enough and fun too! :)
Vacation planning can be stressful. You have provided some great tips!
As always, you have provided some very sensible advice here. I can't wait until our next vacation and I will definitely keep your tips (all of them) in mind! Keep them coming :-)
Most cities (areas) have websites as well and you can request info and coupon books by mail if you plan far enough in advance. You can also find tourist activities, etc. on the actual websites to start your list of to-dos.
This is a good list. There really are some places I have on my bucket list that aren't practical for us...Egypt is one, and what a shame because I would love to go! There are others but that one immediately came to mind. Thanks for the informative bucket list tips.
These are great tips! I am a planner and like to have a lot of options in case on falls through.
Nikki,
I'm like you. Our first Disney trip, I spent HOURS obsessing over the itinerary -- rainy day list, cranky kid list, sunny day list, park is too crowded list. I've relaxed a bit since then. I find a bucket list of "must do's" is easier to manage than a time specific itinerary. Though, with Disney, an itinerary sure helps first-timers!
Happy travels!
Try prioritizing the destinations which are the cheapest. Then go to the ones which are going to be a bit pricey.
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