Vacation Quiz

Step #1 in trip planning: Choose a Destination.

I have often wanted a quiz like this to give my family to help us try to narrow down where our next trip would be. Finally, I created my own. Here it is!! Have fun giving this quiz to your kiddos and even husband. Everyone loves to dream about places they’ve never been. Trust me, it will get the conversation started.

To use this printable, simply print out a copy for every person in your family or group. After they have taken the quiz, you can use the discussion questions to narrow down the choices for your next destination based on their answers.

Another good resource for you during this stage is my Planning the Perfect Family Vacation post. Here, I give several websites for you to explore to find destinations based on your interests.

Travel Planning Printable

After you have chosen your destination, it’s time to move on to step #2. This includes more research to choose the best way to get to your destination and where to stay: transportation and accommodations.

RESERVATIONS TO MAKE

In this box, you’ll want to put the following categories:

• Flights
• Accommodations
• Rental Vehicle
• Any Important Activities

Oftentimes, you’ll need to have an overview of the activities that you want to do in order to make final decisions on your resort or hotel. Being close to your desired activities will cut down on any unnecessary travel, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the destination. This document and the next can be filled out simultaneously.

Activities & Goals Printable

Step #3 is to decide what you’d like to experience on your trip. You don’t have to make your final decision, but creating a wish list is going to offer you several advantages:

1. After making your wishlist, you can determine your top favorites. This knowledge should help you decide on accommodations, decreasing travel time driving back and forth from activity to resort.

2. Knowing the cost of your adventure wish list will enable you to budget more accurately for flights and hotels.

THINGS I WANT TO DO

In this box, write your wishlist. You can always narrow this list down later, but putting them all down on paper will assist you in the planning process. For example, you could score each activity based on popularity among members of your family or group, feasibility, and budget.

GOALS FOR THE TRIP

This box is for you to express your goals and purpose for the trip, enabling you to align your purpose with your wishlist. For example, if one of your goals is to better connect with your husband, but each day is full of scheduled activities with no down time to relax and have meaningful conversation, it would be wise to reconsider your activities and plan some free space.

Travel Itinerary Printable

After you have secured your flights and accommodations, it’s time to start doing the fun part. Step #4 is to put together your travel itinerary. This should include flight boarding times, hotel check-in times, and a loose schedule of what you’d like to do each day.

SCHEDULING TIPS

• Have a flexible mindset and don’t be afraid to switch up your schedule if weather turns bad on a particular day. 
• Leave room for spontaneity. Scheduling in some flextime will decrease your odds of stress. Remember, you’re most likely taking the trip to revitalize yourself and spend time with those you love.
• Have fun with the planning. These experiences can be bonding moments with your family as you plan and research together.
• Use this planning time as an opportunity to teach your children the meaning of compromise. Each member will have different activities that they want to do. Compromise means that everyone is willing to consider the others desires, not just their own. Determining the areas of compromise prior to the trip will help set proper expectations, avoiding disappointment and possible conflict on the trip.
• Invite your teen to take ownership of the planning with you. Teenagers love to know what to expect. Allowing them to help you plan will communicate that their opinion matters, setting the tone for the trip. They’ll be more excited to go and more engaged throughout!

Packing List 

You’re almost there! Use this packing list to ensure that you have brought all of the necessary items. Here are a few packing tips that we’ve learned along the way:

PACKING TIPS

• Use packing cubes 
• Roll your clothes
• Do not overpack
• Choose clothing appropriate for the weather
• Pack clothes that go with each other so you can mix and match to make more outfits out of less
• If you are able to wash clothes while on your trip, pack half as many outfits as days you will be there
• Take comfortable shoes
• Pack copies of your travel documents in multiple bags
• Don’t forget your portable charger