Tel: 416.512.9874 No. 662 / Mar, 15 2013
While draining her bank account into the gas tank of the family wagon, a mother of three hears the Clash on her car radio and ponders the question of the summer family vacation: Should we stay or should we go?
advantage. As it turned out, the hotel was more than prepared. “It was great. The hotel brought up a crib, baby shampoo, diapers, wipes and a diaper pail,” Spoor said. If a night at a luxury hotel is out of The answer, if she plans well and the budget, family moments can seeks bargains, is “Yes.” also be created in the back yard.
to get kids something they›re going to need anyway. T-shirts, sweatshirts, stationery, pencil cases and pens are all smart and cheap,” said Jamie Pearson, publisher of the Travel Savvy Mom website.
Staycation Is All I Ever Wanted
“My family›s favorite low-cost souvenir is the pressed penny,” said Beth Blair, co-founder of TheVacationGals.com. “We find them everywhere we go and even unexpected places. During our recent trip to Wisconsin we scored a Harley-Davidson themed-penny at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee and a Jelly Bellythemed penny in Kenosha. It›s fun, inexpensive and the kids get a thrill when we come across the machines. The key is to always
A staycation involves resting and playing like it’s vacation without leaving town. Rising gas prices have made that a popular option.
“My kids love to pitch a tent and sleep out there. It is a full-family project. We put up tiki torches and barbecue. We play Monopoly and then the kids tell spooky stories,” said Iris Duran, mother of three and an instructional technician at AdvancePath Academy. “We love it.”
Janin and Marc Spoor, worn out from the stress of work, realized they needed a break. But limited in both time and money, they started It seems that parents often equate a tradition – staying at a nearby the cost of a vacation with the luxury resort for an overnighter. entertainment and educational value. But, as the Spoors and “The best part of a staycation is you are already saving money on travel, so you can splurge on a really nice hotel,” said Janin Spoor, who found a reduced hotel rate. “We stayed at the Four Seasons. You spend on a luxury stay, which comes with its own perks, like yoga classes, indoor pool, kids club, free parking, free meals for kids, etc. It all depends on the hotel.” She said the only thing missing from taking a “real” vacation was the travel hassle and long hours, but with two young daughters, that was a plus. “We had a great time. We didn›t have to spend a long time in the car, so we weren›t tired when we got to the hotel. We headed straight to the indoor pool and started having fun right away,” Spoor said.
Durans have found, the kids just want to have fun. “Since you won›t be spending money on airfare and hotel, splurge on fun,” said Jamie Pearson, publisher of the family travel website Travel Savvy Mom. “Rent an inflatable water slide, go to the theater or buy really good seats to a Major League Baseball game.”
Valuable Memories Can Come Once they were done splashing Cheaply in the pool they took in the sights Family travelers can save on the around the hotel. Although it smaller expenses, too, such as was close to home, they had not souvenirs. explored the area before. Travel experts recommend “It really felt like we were inexpensive collectibles or useful somewhere else,” she said, items for more than one purpose. but with a new baby, being 20 minutes from home was a distinct “For souvenirs, it›s a good idea
It can also help to have a souvenir theme.
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Family Travel Network. “When they sat down and talked as a family, they found out what the girls really wanted was going to the beach, collecting shells, seeing wildlife and having fun together. They ended up driving to nearby Chincoteague [Virginia] where they could stay at an inexpensive motel, collect shells on the beaches and see the wild ponies there. The kids loved it and it was one of their most memorable family vacations.” If you plan to venture away from home this summer, a little research can help you stretch your budget. “It›s no secret hotels offering kitchenettes or free breakfasts are great for families and can help save a bundle,” said Beth Blair, co-founder of the family travel website TheVacationGals.com. «They are like a travel goldmine for families.” A destination’s convention and visitor’s bureau is also a good resource for bargains while a vacation rental home is another avenue to savings.
“Our family stayed in a threebedroom rental home in a popular vacation area for $100 per night,» Schretter said. «The average have a shiny penny and a couple resort rental rate in the area was of dollars in quarters.” $275 per night for one room.” Money Can›t Buy Me Fun A souvenir that also holds educational value is the travel Planning the family vacation journal. Each child should carry is largely about extending the one and make it a habit to relive dollar, so look for promotional the day’s adventure in its pages deals. Duran scours everything before bedtime. And, of course, from soda cans to the Internet for nothing is more personal or interesting getaways. valuable to remember a summer “Sometimes the best family vacation than photos. vacations are the least expensive,” said Duran, adding she›d rather Pay Attention, Not Dollars relax than worry about money. “We go to free museums and pack Listening to what family members picnic lunches, go rock hunting on really want out of their vacations mountain trails, go to the beach or can yield better -- and less go camping by the river.” expensive -- results. The Durans also look to save “One of our readers told us she money on out-of-town trips by felt like they needed to take their staying with family who live family on a cruise,” said Nancy in interesting cities or have a Schretter, managing editor for the swimming pool.