Vacation Ideas the Whole Family will Enjoy

OrlandoEye_family vacation2Vacation ideas the whole family will enjoy need to be explored by a family planing to travel to make the experience as exciting and fulfilling as possible. The most common challenge these days is finding a destination that makes everyone happy — and then striking a balance between activities for the kids, and fun for adults.

But there are now plenty of destinations designed to make family travel easy. For example, Orlando, Florida, which unsurprisingly takes the title as number one “hot spot” for domestic travel, according to a new survey by Priceline, has become more than just a classic vacation for families. An explosion of new offerings has made it an ideal destination for all ages.

To juggle your family member’s competing interests, check out these travel tips:

New Attractions

You may have some favorite destinations you’ve traveled to repeatedly. Be sure to keep things new and exciting by tossing out your outdated guidebook. Your vacation this year should include some fresh attractions.

For example, those who’ve traveled to Orlando in the past are unlikely to have visited the brand new I-Drive 360, an entertainment complex. At its heart lies the Orlando Eye, a 400-foot-tall observation wheel providing breathtaking Central Florida views.

Between taking snapshots with Mickey and traveling the world at Epcot, check out the big changes happening at Orlando theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort, which is transforming Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, doubling the number of shops and other venues.

Plan and Buy Ahead

Consider buying tickets to attractions in advance. By buying online, you can avoid standing in line and wearing out young legs before you even get through the gate.

Oftentimes, you can find great discounts on entry prices if you plan ahead and bundle together various local sites.

Dining

The entire vacation doesn’t have to revolve around the kids menu! Foodie parents on vacation need some time to explore and indulge in local cuisines.

And it’s no surprise that the top family travel destinations have been expanding their dining offerings. If you’re headed to Orlando, check out sophisticated dining options from James Beard nominated chefs at restaurants like Ravenous Pig, Victoria & Albert’s or Rusty Spoon. For dinner with a view, Capa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando provides guests with breath-taking views of local theme park’s fireworks. Craving food, cocktails and entertainment? Combine your evening activities at a single venue like The Whiskey, welcoming lovers of gourmet burgers, craft cocktails and rock ‘n roll, with over 100 brands of whiskey.

The Great Indoors

Long days in the sun can take their toll, particularly on younger children. If you’re heading somewhere sunny, stay safe with sunscreen and by drinking plenty of water. Plus, don’t forget to mix it up with some indoor culture as well.

From performing arts centers to indoor theme parks to museums, there are plenty of ways to see the town from the inside out.

Go Mobile

New apps can make navigating your destination easier. From theme park and restaurant guides to a parking finder, let technology help you save time and money.

And be sure to visit your destination’s official tourism website for trip-planning resources and to download free apps. For instance, the VisitOrlando.com site aggregates some of the best new offers and has the latest information on new attractions.

With the right destination and smart advance planning, family travel can be stress-free and fun for kids and their adult chaperones. (StatePoint)

 

Father’s Day: Tips to Balance Family and Work Life

parenting|father's day|fatherhood and kids Father’s day is a a perfect day for you to reflect on your balance family and work life. This is because–sometimes– professional obligations and family commitments can be at odds — particularly for those who hold leadership positions or possess jobs with long hours. And many people learn that the hard way.

“At one point, I became quite one-dimensional. It was all work and I had little time for family or other activities,” says Charles D. Morgan, CEO of PrivacyStar, who served as CEO of Acxiom Corporation from 1972 to 2008, overseeing the pioneering database marketing services and technology provider’s growth from 25 employees to 7,000.

Morgan, a serial entrepreneur, reveals his work-life balance struggles in his new memoir, “Matters of Life and Data: The Remarkable Journey of a Big Data Visionary Whose Work Impacted Millions (Including You).”

While working at his first job at IBM as a systems engineer, Morgan was called back just a few days into his honeymoon due to an urgent office matter, marking the beginning of an all-consuming career. Despite ups and downs in both the professional and personal arenas, he eventually hammered out a successful career and a peaceful family life. In time for Father’s Day, Morgan is sharing some insights into the eternal challenge of striking the balance between competing interests.

• While you may feel compelled to be involved in every aspect of the business, delegating tasks to the people who can do a better job than you can will benefit both you and the company. So know your strengths and weaknesses for better time management.

• Find systems that simplify operations and make things happen faster, even if it means rocking the boat. For example, when titles were eliminated at Acxiom, the cultural shift didn’t make everyone happy, but in the end, the company became more efficient and flexible, giving everyone more time at the end of the day.

• No matter what you are wrestling with at work, be available for your children during the day. Make sure your kids know that they are important to you. Attend their recitals and ball games and find hobbies that you can share with them. Be reachable as much as possible.

More information about the book can be found at www.mattersoflifeanddata.com.

Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity for those struggling with the work-life balance to think about how to streamline work to make more time for family.(StatePoint)

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