tips for the best road trips (part 1)
For the past six years, I've had the privilege to plan vacations around Canada and the United States. As my siblings and cousins have been growing up, I've had the constant challenge of creating itineraries that is entertaining and accommodates to everybody's likes/dislikes! Here are some tips I've accumulated over the years:
1) Fun doesn't necessarily require A LOT of money! After deciding on which city your family wants to visit, start searching for the FREE activities at that city. Sometimes, museums may operate for free during certain hours. For example, in Washington D.C, the only thing we spent money was our subway pass! We literally spent all day hopping around free museums. In other cities, just roaming around the street, taking instagram pictures around the city can take up your entire day. During our visit to Boston, my family followed Boston's "Freedom Trail" and got to roam around most of the city without wasting a single cent! We got a unique learning about African American history and American Revolution.
2) Give and take away!! When you are planning for vacation, ask yourself...what is important for your family? Is it nice hotels and accommodations? Or fantastic museum experiences? Or food? Or quick transportation? In areas of importance, spend more money...and save money on other things. In my family, we enjoy trying fancy food locations and we are willing to save our budget by living in cheaper hotels. Yes, the bed sheets may not be as comfy, but we are willing to use that money to try traditional/local snacks. On the other hand, you can also save money on food and museum passes...and find more expensive hotels with swimming pools and gyms. Honestly, it sucks to be thinking about saving money during a family trip. So as a family, agree on one area you guys are willing save money (accommodation, food, souvenirs, museum, transportation, attractions), so that you can afford moments to splurge and treat yourself.
3) Don't over plan! Unless you are an incredibly perfectionist, my favourite road trip memories are always from the spontaneous adventures. During my family's long and ambitious road trip to the Maritimes, we did not plan any of our food stops. We knew we wanted fresh Canadian seafood, but we chose to talked to tour guides and locales for recommendations. One night in Nova Scotia, a tour guide recommended that we check our a fishermen village (because it was non-tour bus stop). Our family spent an entire afternoon walking around the town and ate an intimate, fantastic seafood dinner. By wandering our different cities and conversing with others, your vacation will become a super unique experience.
4) Make sure there is free time! As my siblings and cousins get older, I think it has become super important that we plan opportunities for free time. Because your family is spending every waking minute together during the trip, there is bound to be tension and conflict between the members. By giving free time, every one can do what they enjoy. In our road trips, our shopping stops are always great opportunities for "breathers." We usually give people 1.5-2 hours to do whatever they want.
5) Making everyone feel valued. This feels like a cheesy but in order to plan to a great family/friend trip, make sure you plan one activity/attraction stop that caters each of our trip members. In our family, we will always stop by a souvenir shop (for me), a food stop (for dad), a dessert stop (for my sister). Don't be a tyrant, leave your family each with at least one good memory.
I'll leave it here for now,
stay tuned for part 2
happy planning and safe travels,
~cho
1) Fun doesn't necessarily require A LOT of money! After deciding on which city your family wants to visit, start searching for the FREE activities at that city. Sometimes, museums may operate for free during certain hours. For example, in Washington D.C, the only thing we spent money was our subway pass! We literally spent all day hopping around free museums. In other cities, just roaming around the street, taking instagram pictures around the city can take up your entire day. During our visit to Boston, my family followed Boston's "Freedom Trail" and got to roam around most of the city without wasting a single cent! We got a unique learning about African American history and American Revolution.
2) Give and take away!! When you are planning for vacation, ask yourself...what is important for your family? Is it nice hotels and accommodations? Or fantastic museum experiences? Or food? Or quick transportation? In areas of importance, spend more money...and save money on other things. In my family, we enjoy trying fancy food locations and we are willing to save our budget by living in cheaper hotels. Yes, the bed sheets may not be as comfy, but we are willing to use that money to try traditional/local snacks. On the other hand, you can also save money on food and museum passes...and find more expensive hotels with swimming pools and gyms. Honestly, it sucks to be thinking about saving money during a family trip. So as a family, agree on one area you guys are willing save money (accommodation, food, souvenirs, museum, transportation, attractions), so that you can afford moments to splurge and treat yourself.
3) Don't over plan! Unless you are an incredibly perfectionist, my favourite road trip memories are always from the spontaneous adventures. During my family's long and ambitious road trip to the Maritimes, we did not plan any of our food stops. We knew we wanted fresh Canadian seafood, but we chose to talked to tour guides and locales for recommendations. One night in Nova Scotia, a tour guide recommended that we check our a fishermen village (because it was non-tour bus stop). Our family spent an entire afternoon walking around the town and ate an intimate, fantastic seafood dinner. By wandering our different cities and conversing with others, your vacation will become a super unique experience.
4) Make sure there is free time! As my siblings and cousins get older, I think it has become super important that we plan opportunities for free time. Because your family is spending every waking minute together during the trip, there is bound to be tension and conflict between the members. By giving free time, every one can do what they enjoy. In our road trips, our shopping stops are always great opportunities for "breathers." We usually give people 1.5-2 hours to do whatever they want.
5) Making everyone feel valued. This feels like a cheesy but in order to plan to a great family/friend trip, make sure you plan one activity/attraction stop that caters each of our trip members. In our family, we will always stop by a souvenir shop (for me), a food stop (for dad), a dessert stop (for my sister). Don't be a tyrant, leave your family each with at least one good memory.
I'll leave it here for now,
stay tuned for part 2
happy planning and safe travels,
~cho
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