Tip 1: Research Hotels

Spend the time before hand to really research hotels in the area you’ll be staying in to make sure that it has fun added amenities. A good resource to use for this is Gogobot; you can go through customer reviews to find neat little tips and tricks you wouldn’t normally be aware of. For instance, you can find a hotel that is close to tourist attractions and also offers rooftop yoga! When I traveled to San Diego I stayed in a hotel that offered a free yoga mat in every room and that was in close proximity to the zoo for my kids!

Tip 2: Prepare for Hunger Pains

When you’re traveling, you’re on the go and exhaustion is always imminent. Keep little snacks packed in your purse to give yourself a little energy boost. This is especially handy when you have kids traveling with you. Rather than having to spend money on junk food at amusement parks that have no nutritional value whatsoever, hand out little baggies of almonds mixed with fruit. It’s a delicious snack that also provides benefits for your health AND your wallet.

Tip 3: Create a Calming Playlist

Any kind of trip, whether it is a car trip or flight, has its ups and downs. Things don’t always go as planned. If you plan ahead for the bumps in the road, you’ll save yourself some stress and headaches. A good way to do this is to fill your iPod with songs that will help take your mind off of things. You can even use sounds from nature, if that’s what relaxes you!

Tip 4: Pack Your Evening Ritual

I always have trouble sleeping when I’m not in my own bed. My kids do, too. (Which, I should add, then makes it even harder for ME to sleep. It’s a vicious cycle!) To help alleviate this, bring your own tea bags to have at the end of the day. Light some candles, sip some chamomile tea and unwind.

Tip 5: Bring Your Yoga With You

Rather than worrying whether or not you can find a gym while you’re away from home, pack your portable mat, some candles and even your favorite tea and turn your hotel room into your own personal yoga paradise. Going into the day with a happy, clear mind is the best way to go into any vacation day!

When people think of making plans on their vacations ahead of time, they worry they’re over-planning, which can take the fun out of vacationing. But these few tips can actually help to make your trip easier and enhance your overall experience. Putting together a few details beforehand to keep you and your family happy and healthy is better than dealing with headaches while you’re on vacation, right?

Thanks to Kendra Thornton for this guest post. Want to write for us? Send us a message!