| Travelling with a family can be a nightmare. Most | | | | that you comply with all of the requirements. |
| family travel meets some sort of major emergency or | | | | Three Months To Go |
| crisis during the planning phase, and it usually occurs | | | | 1. Begin to plan out activities for the whole family. |
| right before they are due to go to the airport for | | | | Research the activities in the local area that are |
| departure. No matter how well the parents have | | | | suitable for family travel, as well as the prices and |
| planned, something never ever fits in and this can | | | | availability because it may be necessary to book |
| cause extreme panic when there are several children | | | | some activities in advance. |
| to deal with as well as making sure that everyone | | | | 2. Check and compare travel insurance policies and |
| arrives at their vacation destination in one piece. | | | | purchase the family travel policy that best suits your |
| It is no wonder that family travel can cause major | | | | needs. |
| stress when you consider all of the things that have to | | | | 3. Make an appointment with the family doctor for the |
| be considered and then remembered. With insurance, | | | | necessary vaccinations. This can be found on the |
| packing, documentation, hotel arrangements, flights and | | | | embassy website, in the same place as the visa |
| other similar elements of family travel to deal with, | | | | requirements that you researched previously. |
| what you really need is a checklist to use to ensure | | | | 4. Organise your finances so that you know how |
| that all elements are dealt with in the correct | | | | much you have to spend and how much of your credit |
| timescales to ensure that the dash to the airport is not | | | | limits you have left. This will enable you to decide |
| an ordeal! | | | | which cards you will take. |
| To help you cope with this, here is a checklist that you | | | | Two Months To Go |
| can use for any given trip, whether going abroad or | | | | 1. Purchase all of the necessary clothes and equipment |
| remaining in a domestic setting. All of the information is | | | | for family travel. |
| relevant and can certainly help you to relax and enjoy | | | | 2. Make sure that all of the accommodation and flights |
| your vacation! | | | | are fully paid and ready for you when you get there! |
| Six Months To Go | | | | One Month To Go |
| 1. Assess your financial situation and estimate spending | | | | 1. Gather all of your documents together and |
| money | | | | photocopy them all twice, leaving one copy with your |
| 2. Collect information on the places that you would like | | | | family and take another copy with you just in case |
| to go. The Internet is a great resource, but you can | | | | there are any problems. |
| also use travel guides and brochures to get an idea of | | | | 2. Organise any medication that you and your family |
| the type of hotel to stay in. | | | | will need. |
| Five Months To Go | | | | 3. Copy the itinerary that you have booked and |
| 1. This is the absolute latest that you should book your | | | | planned so that your family knows exactly where you |
| vacation accommodation to make sure that you have | | | | are going and when you will be going there. |
| plenty of time to plan the family travel from start to | | | | A Week To Go |
| finish. Remember to compare prices and check out | | | | 1. Purchase all travellers checks and money required |
| deals and discounts. | | | | for family travel. |
| 2. Book family air travel and confirm the departure | | | | 2. Cancel any regular deliveries that you may have |
| times and dates. | | | | and pay up any bills, making sure that there is enough |
| 3. If you do not already have one, apply for a passport | | | | money in your account to cover any remaining bills |
| and look into the family travel destination to see | | | | 3. Pack for family travel! |
| whether you need further documentation, such as a | | | | After this checklist is complete, you should be good to |
| visa. | | | | go so you can just relax and enjoy yourself! |
| 4. Apply for a visa or permit if necessary, making sure | | | | |