Monthly Archives: June 2011

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Gaudet Family Travel – Inside Scoop

You may think of tropical getaways as romantic interludes for couples only, but many all inclusive resorts actually cater to families, with special activities that allow children to have a memorable vacation – and that allow parents some special one on one time, as well. Here are some tips to getting a good value on your next all-inclusive family vacation.

Why consider all-inclusive?

All-inclusive tours can really help you save money, and they can help busy parents to relax. Most all-inclusive resort vacations include beverages, meals, taxes, entertainment, activities, and even gratuities in the price of your accommodations, so you can just relax and enjoy yourself.

Is an all-inclusive vacation right for your family?

An all-inclusive vacation may mean spending less for your vacation – or it may mean spending more. It all depends on your traveling style.

An all-inclusive vacation may not be for you if your family enjoys doing a lot of independent adventuring and exploring because you’ll be paying for these additional things in addition to your all inclusive rates.

If your kids are excited to try new adventures in a new place, and you tend to get stressed out every time you need to pay for yet another thing on your vacation, you might particularly appreciate the all-inclusive travel experience.

Choosing the right all-inclusive

The best thing to do when you are first starting out is to ask your family and friends about any all inclusive resorts that they have particularly enjoyed. The experiences at these so-called tropical paradises can vary greatly, and it’s difficult to get the information you need from a brochure or a corporate website. Talk to people about recommendations and spend some time combing through travel websites, agent advice and reviews (by travelers) of different resorts.

Travelling with your kids

When you are traveling with kids, it’s a good idea to look for a good discount (by traveling during an off peak time, for example) at a quality, well-known resort – rather than securing a cheap regular rate at a place you’ve never heard of. Its one thing to be stuck somewhere you would rather not be stuck – but when you have young kids with you, you want to keep any ghastly surprises to a minimum.

Also, make sure that the activities included at the resort will be of interest to your children. Some children love the resorts “kids’ clubs,” which often provide great educational and cultural activities for all different age groups (and they give the parents some time alone). But some children may be wary of joining new kids and new caregivers in a new place. You want to make sure to keep everyone’s needs in mind when you are planning such a trip.

How do you get started?

Research and give yourself many options to pick from and see what the different resorts offer.  Once you’ve narrowed down your options of family friendly resorts to just a few, it is important to read all the fine print. Find out exactly which activities and attractions are paid for at the resort, and which are not. Some packages offer free fares to children; others offer discounts. Sometimes, kids stay and eat for free. Sometimes, you’ll find kid clubs are included in the price, but nannies and babysitters are not included. It’s important to be very clear with the inclusions and exclusions so you are sure you are comparing resorts fairly.

Two good websites to check reviews from recent guests are:

www.tripadvisor.com
www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com

and also check out the resort website.

Traveling often comes with hidden charges, and savvy travelers are aware of them ahead of time. See if you will be paying any additional airport charges, governmental travel fees, security fees, airport fees, shuttle fees, and so on. If you aren’t sure what exactly the price includes, pick up the phone and double check before booking

Researching will really pay off!  An all inclusive family vacation is best planned far in advance. Get the brochures and start looking.

Peace of mind

Choosing that perfect vacation can be very stressful, especially if you are paying for it yourself online.  Here at Gaudet Family Travel we pride ourselves in personalized service.  We will work together with you to find the perfect vacationing spot at a price within your budget.  Gaudet Family Travel encourages you to get online and see what’s out there. Then you can talk to us about the different options and the features and activities that you want to make sure you’re all inclusive vacation includes.  There are a lot of unknowns and we can help you cover everything.

For my clients everything I quote them included the full package.  The bonus is that our price is the same as what you would pay on-line.  The hidden truth is that everybody pays the same price – the difference is the service.

Spending extra time making the right choice on where to stay will make all the different in your vacation experience.  Whether you want to lounge by the pool, or have an all out family adventure, we will be able to find a resort that will cater to your families needs. Then all you need to do is pack your bags and get ready to relax.

Quick Thoughts On How To Decide:

  • Decide on a destination
  • Resort amenities and programs to fit your lifestyle
  • Look at the location ( on beach , near towns)
  • Look at the list of resort amenities and see what is included and what cost extra
  • Check number of restaurants and see what is included for dining
  • Kids club and ages
  • Check layout of the accommodations
  • Check start rating
  • Narrow down your choices and consult with friends who have traveled
  • Check the reviews

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