MARCH BREAK
How to do last-minute travel with kids
February 4, 2010
Corinne McDermott
We’re smack dab in the middle of winter and finances dictate that there’s no trip this year.
Or is there?
Travel with kids involves more far prep than it did before, but you can still take advantage of last-minute deals with children in tow. If the thought of a staycation during March Break is enough to have you climbing the walls, or the allure of slashed travel prices is too much to pass up, use these tips to ensure your last-minute family vacation goes smoothly.
-Make sure everyone’s passport is up to date. It seems obvious, but we almost went away once without checking and mine would have expired while we were gone.
-Use a real live travel agent. You can surf package deals online but booking with an actual person means you have an actual person to call if there’s a problem with your reservation – which can be more likely if you’re booking last minute.
-Have an open mind but decide on a climate. You can get packed in advance if you’ve narrowed down your ideal destination to warm or cold. If you want a blast of winter sun, you can skip the ski vacation listings and vice versa. If you’re planning to take advantage of last-minute deals, you’ll need to avoid places that require vaccinations or other medications.
-Consider crossing the border: If you’re near enough to the American border, a bit of an extra drive to the airport can translate into savings of thousands of dollars in airfare – no exaggeration. Plus, Americans have their Spring Break at different times, so it may not be as jammed.
-Think out of the ordinary: The usual family haunts will be busy on March Break, but there’s plenty of interesting places a little more off the radar that can offer a great break at a decent price point.
-Extend the week a smidge: Travel is much cheaper on weekdays, and Sundays almost always cost less than Saturdays. As long as your kids aren’t struggling academically, chances are an extra day or two with you will do a lot more good than a day behind a desk in school (I bet they’ll think so too!).
Corinne McDermott is the founder Have Baby Will Travel (www.havebabywilltravel.com) – Your guide to family travel with babies and toddlers. Connect with her at www.twitter.com/hvbabywilltrvl
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