| So you want to take your family away on vacation, | | | | there are theme parks. Their not exactly cheap either. |
| and you have a certain amount set aside to spend on | | | | Ok. Having swallowed heavily and contemplated a |
| it. But you are concerned that should your trip go over | | | | number of possible ways to tell your family or partner |
| budget, you will be left with the burden of having to find | | | | that this may not be a good time for a vacation; there |
| additional cash to bridge the shortfall. This could be a | | | | is another way. |
| problem as there may be a knock-on effect in having | | | | What if you new exactly what your vacation/holiday |
| dip into reserves set aside for other things; particularly | | | | would cost before you left your home? What if you |
| relevant in view of the current economic environment. | | | | didn't have to concern yourself with the cost of your |
| The cost of living away from home for any length of | | | | daily meals? What if you could have snacks |
| time can be difficult (if at all possible) to accurately | | | | throughout the day and endless drinks (including |
| measure. Even if you get set prices for travel and | | | | alcohol). What if you could use many (if not all) of the |
| accommodation, there will still be other un-fixed costs | | | | hotel's in-house facilities such as gym, bar, sauna, tennis |
| to your holiday, which can sometimes be considerably | | | | court, bar and of course there's the bar...? And how |
| more than expected. | | | | about the kids being kept occupied with various |
| First there is the cost of meals. Some hotels will offer | | | | in-house activities? And even if there were additional |
| breakfast as part of the basic deal (bed & | | | | costs for some activities, you'd be able to make a |
| breakfast), which is helpful especially if you have young | | | | judgement as to how relevant or affordable they |
| children. However if your chosen hotel checks all the | | | | were, bearing in mind that you are already having a |
| boxes for location and facilities but doesn't offer a bed | | | | good vacation and all your main expenses are |
| and breakfast deal, then this will be your first | | | | completely covered. Well if this sounds appealing to |
| unpredictable expense. If they happen to offer | | | | you, you should consider booking an 'All Inclusive' deal |
| breakfast as an additional feature, the cost may turn | | | | Now although, at first glance, these deals may seem |
| out to be more expensive. Should you find | | | | more costly, just consider all the points previously |
| somewhere locally for breakfast, you will still have a | | | | made and you will see that, not only will you have paid |
| variable cost as you may not wish to have the same | | | | for your entire break in advance, but you will benefit |
| meal every day for a week or two. This will also be | | | | from the cost effectivity of paying for all your services |
| the case with your lunches and dinners. Eating dinners | | | | at once, and you will have peace of mind in knowing |
| in good restaurants especially hotel restaurants can be | | | | that there won't be any 'out of the blue' expenses' that |
| quite expensive and if you have compromised on your | | | | you hadn't considered. Another advantage of booking |
| breakfasts and lunches you will certainly want to have | | | | 'all inclusive,' is that you will find you have a much |
| a more substantial evening meal. | | | | easier structure to your day. I always found that; with |
| Enjoying care free time with your partner or family in | | | | food being being such an important aspect of life and |
| the hot sun, is thirsty work. It is essential that you all | | | | a significant part of the vacationing experience, I found |
| take in sufficient amounts of fluid to avoid dehydration. | | | | that much of my time was spent searching for suitable |
| And of course you may desire the odd glass of wine | | | | restaurants. Often disappointed because the meal |
| or a beer (or four) while hanging out by the in house | | | | wasn't satisfactory or I had a long wait because the |
| pool. You will most certainly find that they are not | | | | restaurant couldn't cope with the evening rush. |
| giving it away for pennies. How much should you have | | | | Knowing the opening and closing time slots for your |
| in reserve to cover this cost? How about some leisure | | | | hotel's main meals, will allow you to plan your day |
| activities? You may take the view that purpose for | | | | around them, so you can get on with the business of |
| your vacation is simply to rest and do as little as | | | | enjoying yourself with a satisfied stomach, never |
| possible, but what about the kids. They will soon get | | | | having to worry about the prospect of obtaining a |
| bored after the initial excitement of splashing around in | | | | decent meal when you want one. |
| the pool, so what next? Well often hotels will put on | | | | Having taken my vacations the 'all inclusive' way for |
| events and activities, to keep all amused but it is | | | | quite some time now, I would not consider doing it any |
| probable that there will be additional costs for each | | | | other way. It just makes good, all round sense to me. |
| one. How much should you allow for this? And then | | | | |