Travel Guides And Tips: Making Memories That Last a Lifetime

Yes, gas prices have risen dramatically, but a road trip is still the first choice for families. You can see your own country, soak up the local atmosphere and get to know your family through spending time together.

Before you head off, you should consider a few basic points and ask the questions:

-how much can we spend on this trip

Your budget should include gasoline, accommodation and food expenses. Activities and entertainment such as theme parks entrance fees etc. should also be evaluated.

Projected Cost
Actual Cost
Gasoline (# of miles round trip) $
Accommodation (camping) $
Food (self cater) $
Entertainment $

Projected Cost
Actual Cost
Gasoline (# of miles round trip) $
Accommodation (hotels) $
Food (restaurants) $
Entertainment $

On the above, calculate the projected costs both with eating all meals out and staying in a hotel, and taking along your food and camping. You might choose a combination of the above. Staying a night here and there in a hotel will be a nice change.

After determining your budget, the next step is to decide where you will be going, the distance from your home, and how long you will be gone.

-where will we go
-for how long
-where will we sleep
-where will we eat
-what will we eat

You might already have some outdoor equipment such as coolers, tent, sleeping bags etc. In which case fine, but if you don't you might be advised to take a chunk of your accommodation dollars and invest in these items.

Taking along your own food for a family of four for two meals during the day, will save a minimum of $60 per day on breakfast and lunch. Take a cooler with items such as cold meat, cheese, butter, sandwich fixings, etc. You can picnic at will wherever you happen to be. This is so much more fun than spending time looking for restaurants and then not being satisfied with what you find. Take along your home made lemonade drinks, cookies and crusty rolls, or whatever you fancy. Tinned meats such at corned beef make an excellent travel food. Allow yourselves an ice cream treat. You have earned it.

Next, the question of accommodation. If at all possible, camp out. Even a little pup tent allows for sleep and there is nothing like the outdoors. Your vehicle might even be big enough to allow for sleep by just putting some foam down. There are lots of campgrounds and places to pitch your tent. Even here in Toronto, we have a campground right nearby our house. Check out the camp sites in the province or state in which you are traveling.

People tend to pack much more than they need when they travel. You can get by with a backpack if you choose light pieces that don't wrinkle. You can just bundle them up and squish them into the bag.

Making a good plan, knowing where you are going, staying, and eating will help you enjoy your vacation. And best of all, the family will have the time of their lives.

Linda is a retired piano teacher in Toronto married to the retired Chief Works Supervisor of the Water Supply for Toronto. She is interested in all environmental issues, budgeting, homemaking, frugal living and shopping, recycling, reducing, reusing and all things green. Currently she is working on a project with her friend/partner on how to make your life more simple.

Linda has a golden retriever dog named Rusty and a cat named Dusty. She is also involved in The Therapeutic Paws of Canada and her Rusty will be a regular visitor at a nearby nursing home. When she has spare time, she likes to play the piano with her duet partner and also her husband.

Visit My Website We have a fun blog.

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