3 Simple Steps to Plan the Perfect Vacation with your Parents

We all dream of planning that perfect vacation with our parents, and it feels even better when it becomes a reality. But with great trips comes great responsibility!

I have traveled extensively with my mother, and I can confirm that planning a trip can be tedious. It starts with a week long research that involves searching for the right kind of activities, finding the best possible hotel that fits perfectly into your budget, bookmarking eateries, etc. Therefore, I created this 3-step guide to make your planning smoother.

Before we dive into details, the first thing you should find out is the destination. For me, it was Singapore. My mother wanted to visit this country for a long time, and finally in 2019, we planned an 8-day-long adventure to the Lion City!

Step 1: Decide your type of vacation – Guided or Unguided

When I say unguided, I am referring to a trip planned by an individual rather than a travel company like Thomas Cook. We Indians love to go on a guided tour, also known as a “Packaged tour”, especially to an international destination, because it is hassle-free. Each of them has its pros and cons. However, if you love the flexibility and explore a destination at your own pace, I recommend opting for an unguided adventure to make the most of your time. 

I have been on both kinds of trip. My UAE trip was a guided adventure arranged by Rynna Tours, whereas my Odisha trip was planned entirely by myself. Honestly, UAE was a pretty awesome trip. However, it was hectic, and we only got a touristy perspective of the city. Odisha, turned out to be a more relaxed trip, where we got a deeper view of the place.

Guided vs Unguided – Pros & Cons

Guided

A guided tour is very organized and allows you to explore a lot in a short time. They are cheaper and safe. However, as mentioned above, guided tours are hectic, even for youngsters, because they are time-bound. You don’t get time to try out local stuff. Plus, there is a high chance of exhaustion by the end of the trip. 

Unguided

An unguided tour is flexible. It gives the tourist a better view of the city, its culture and people. Moreover, you get time to relax and rejuvenate, a must when traveling with your parents. However, it requires extensive research and planning. Occasionally, there might be chances of error like missing a bus, paying extra for a ride etc. But, trust me, it is fun.

Step 2: Keep a checklist while planning activities

You start with creating a persona of your parent(s) that includes their age, current health status, stamina, allergies and endurance. It will help you decide the activities, like if you’re traveling to Thailand or Andamans, you know there will be many water activities available. But only a few will be suited for elderly folks. So instead of booking a snorkeling session, you can go for a glass boat ride. Similarly, if one of your destinations involve extensive walking or climbing, keep the rest of the day light. It will not only help conserve energy but will also keep them fit throughout the trip.

Step 3: Present a concrete plan and get their approvals before booking

Imagine you have a solid project idea that you’ve worked on for months, and now you have to present it to your boss. Treat this the same way! Consider your parents as your boss and explain the complete itinerary before making any booking. It will allow you to empathize and get their feedback regarding the itinerary. This exercise might also bring out hidden concerns, like my mother highlighted her fear of getting lost in an unknown land, coming across dangerous strangers and running out of money. Therefore, a detailed discussion with your parent(s) and getting their approval is essential. 

With each trip, your instincts get better. Plus, thanks to the ever-advancing technology, it’s much easier to plan trips nowadays. All you need is a bit of research before your trip to find the right apps & website to help you plan and have a brilliant time.

Let me know your thoughts and interesting stories in the comments, I would love to hear them 🙂