Copyright © 2005 Andrew Westforth
After you have decided that you are going on a family vacation, the next step is to decide where to go. The tourist industry offers many destinations that will welcome you but certainly there are better and there are worse choices. Since you have decided that you go on vacation with your children, it is clear that this must be the primary consideration in choosing the destination.Andrew Westforth is the webmaster of FHT Travel -- a large And comprehensive collection of information on travel, Including resources, articles and a free newsletter. For More information, go to: http://www.fhttravel.comThe most common travel mistake with children is Las Vegas or Reno in Nevada. While the tourism industries of both cities have been trying to make the towns into family vacation destinations (Las Vegas a bit more than Reno), these towns are not originally geared toward family.
Both Las Vegas and Reno offer very little attractions for children. And they do not offer anything special which cannot be found elsewhere. If you are thinking about visiting Las Vegas, perhaps you are hoping for at least some gambling. Gambling does not bode well for a successful family vacation with children.
Where travelling with children is concerned, some of the perennial favourites are the Disney theme parks. These parks are ideal for children between the ages of five and twelve - though they are still fun for older children! However, it's recommended that you wait until your children are old enough to walk. If you bring a child who is younger than three years old, the chances are that he or she will not remember the trip at all.
You should keep in mind, however, that Disney parks are an energetic vacation destination. These are not good places to go for a relaxing time, since they tend to be crowded, and there is always something new to go and see. With younger children, expect cranky afternoons.
For a more relaxed family vacation, you should think about a destination like Hawaii. While Hawaii is not geared specifically toward children, there are still plenty of things for you to do depending on which island you're staying on.
Hawaii is the best place for a family vacation with children who are ten or older. The reason is that most entertainment activities are suitable for older children - for example Pearl Harbor. If you visit it and your children are too young, they will hardly figure out the significance of the place.
Another suggestion for a family vacation with children is cruise ships. When choosing to spend your vacation on a cruise ship, there are some important facts to consider. First, it is most likely that you will share a cabin with your family and there won't be enough room for everybody's liking. But since there are so many things to do outside the cabin, it shouldn't be too much of a problem to view the cabin as a sleeping spot rather than a permanent hang-out.
You should also consider that cruise ship vacations may not be the best choice for teenagers. This is due to the fact that most of the children's programs are designed for children 12 and under, and teenagers are not quite old enough to participate in the entertainment designed for adults (for instance, lounges and casinos). The benefit of a cruise is that you'll get to see breathtaking ocean views and visit several different ports. Keep your eyes open for whales!
In the end, however, where you go for your family vacation is up to you. Nobody knows what your children will be interested in better than you do. So, consider your children's interest, and to what extent they will be catered for, combined with your preferences for where you would like to go, and the type of vacation that you are most interested in.
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