Spring break offers an ideal respite for families looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Students can use a restful spring break to recharge their batteries for the home stretch of the school year, while parents will enjoy a pause from work and a school year filled with kids’ activities.
A family-friendly spring break will require some planning to ensure such an excursion is within budget and appropriate for travelers of all ages. With that in mind, parents planning a spring break getaway with their children can consider these tips.
• Book flights as early as possible. If the family aspires to take to the friendly skies during spring break, then book flights well in advance so the cost of air travel doesn’t bust the budget. According to the affordable travel experts at Dollar Flight Club, fares for flights between mid-March and early April can spike by anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent. That’s because airlines know spring break is a popular time to travel. While booking early might not lead to huge savings, it will give parents more freedom to pick and choose flights based on variables important to them, like flight times and ticket costs. The longer you wait, the more expensive and less accommodating a flight may be.
• Avoid hotspots. Spring break hotspots tend to be overcrowded and a little raucous, which is less than ideal for families with young children. When planning a family-friendly spring break, look for locales off the beaten path. Early to mid-March is peak spring break season for many colleges and universities, so if children’s schools let out for spring during this time it may be wise to avoid oceanfront destinations that typically attract lots of college students. If the budget allows, spring break might prove an ideal time for an international trip with the family.
• Emphasize outdoor activities. As winter winds down, people from all ages tend to get a little cabin fever. Come spring break, look for destinations where outdoor activities abound. Access to activities like hiking, kayaking, swimming, and other outdoor favorites can provide a necessary escape from the cold weather back home.
• Visit a big city. Beaches draw crowds come spring break, but cities tend to be less overrun by tourists during this time of year. Consider visiting a big city and taking in all it has to offer. Flights and accommodations to such locales might not cost as much as travel and lodging to oceanfront destinations, so this can be a great time to visit a big city and take advantage of the cultural and culinary offerings it serves up.
Spring break need not be a budget buster for families looking to get away this March or April.
