Whether it's to Disneyland or the
beach, an annual excursion is tradition for many families. But vacations can
strain tight budgets. And this year, just thinking about plane tickets, car
rentals, hotel rates, and all the meals out is enough to give me hives. Still, as my husband and son
remind me, family trips are important chances to relax and experience life
together without the deadlines, chores, or other demands of our workaday lives. Luckily, some types of trips stretch holiday dollars in creative
ways. Though they might not come with five-star amenities, they do blend
affordability with adventure.
Family Camping
Even if sleeping bags and a tent
aren't your idea of a great time, it's amazing how kid-pleasing camping can be.
My son's playgroup, for instance, mounts biannual expeditions around the state.
We split cooking between six families, which makes packing and preparation a
comparative cinch. (Just think: On each three-day trip, we serve three meals a
day, plus a campfire snack, so each family only cooks twice.)
Beyond the food, there's the
camaraderie—for both kids and parents. The little ones have a blast in the
Great Outdoors, while the parents chat under the stars. Even families with
infants find this a workable getaway, since there are always extra arms to hold
babes.
Budgetwise, camping is hard to beat.
Basic tents and sleeping bags come cheap, and they're easy to borrow, too. And
chances are you don't need to venture far to find a wonderful spot. Nearly
everyone lives within a short drive of a public park or forest with good
campsites—a terrific way to explore your local environs.
To find a terrific camping spots check out the government's recreation site. Another great site is through Reserve America, the largest provider of campsite reservations in the U.S.
Working Farms
Another rustic option for
down-to-earth broods is a stay at a working farm. Picture your kids gathering
their own eggs for breakfast, milking a cow, or going for a hayride. Another
plus for nature-loving tykes? Loads of critters.
Typically, “farmstays” are
budget-priced and include breakfast, a room that sleeps four, and farm-based
activities. Hillary Yasmer Shemin has taken a couple of farm vacations over the
years—the first when her son Andrew was just 1. She says she and her husband
were nervous before they arrived, wondering how hard they'd have to work. But
they needn't have worried. “Our only work was to spray paint a mark on the head
of some sheep to differentiate those that needed shearing from those that did
not,” she says.
Besides a bucolic setting,
farmstays offer a chance to support small business. Many independent farmers
are looking for ways to supplement their earnings—and keep their farms
alive—and this type of eco-travel helps them do that.
It's this cultural immersion that
prompted Shemin to go to a pig farm for another vacation. “The neat thing about
farmstays,” she says, “is that it's an opportunity to live with a family.
You're no longer a tourist. You're able to really get a taste of the day-to-day
life of others.”
There are a number of ways to book a farmstay. Some states run farm associations, while others operate agritourism sites. You can always search the Web for the state you'll be heading to, along with the keyword “farmstay.” For worldwide opportunities, check out WWOOF. Agritourism World also offers a searchable database based on the location and type of accommodations you desire.
Hostels
If a pig farm isn't your fantasy
trip, don't fret. There's a thrifty way to stay in some of the world's poshest
cities: hostelling.
Now, if this conjures up images of
sweaty backpackers playing guitars in grungy communal rooms, know that times
have changed. Today's “youth hostels” host families of all ages who can sleep
in private family rooms furnished in clean, IKEA-like style.
Countering the spartan
accommodations are communal offerings, such as restaurants, cafés with free
Wi-Fi, group tours, or organized entertainment. This trade-off works for Janet
Davis Russell, who's traveled with her family to hostels around the world. She
says she, her husband, and their four boys don't really fit in a traditional
hotel. And hostels “are always cheaper, often have play rooms with ping-pong
and pool tables, and are generally centrally located,” she says.
Hostels are a long-standing
tradition in Europe, and they're often located in architectural jewels: stone
castles, former monasteries, rustic villas. “We love the fact that hostels are
often converted from old (sturdy and interesting) buildings,” Russell says.
Check out Hostelling International,
Hostel World, or hostels.com to see what's available
worldwide. In the U.S., hostels aren't as common, since so many budget-priced
hotels and motels are available. Still, there's a decent selection in and around cities like New York,
San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and more hostels have opened in part because of the
recession.
Housing Swap
Looking for more of the comforts of home while away? A housing swap may be just the answer.
In principle, home exchanges are a
brilliant concept, especially for long trips. Imagine: lodging for your whole
family, complete with a kitchen, washer and dryer, and a yard for the kids.
Plus, while you're away, you'll enjoy security, plant care, and pet sitting in
your home. As elegant as the idea is, though, problems have been known to
arise, usually because guests are unhappy with the home they swap for, or
because someone does a number on theirs.
These problems are surmountable,
though. To remedy the first one, look at photos of the house online and read
what other home swappers have said. Also, ask detailed questions about any
specific facilities you need.
When it comes to the second
problem, try to sound out whether the people you'll be exchanging with match
your family's style—meaning, are they neat freaks, messy, or laid back? Be
upfront about your expectations, and try to get a sense for who your fellow
swappers are.
Beyond this—be friendly! Setting a
good tone will set the swap off right. Make your guests feel at home by recommending nearby parks, restaurants,
or cultural attractions. They'll probably do the same for you.
The largest home-exchange network
is Home Exchange. It lists more than 27,000 properties—more than 40
percent in the U.S. A one-year, $100 membership allows you to post photos of
your home and enjoy an unlimited number of swaps.
No need to let the recession interfere with your vacation plans. With a
little legwork and an open mind, you can
make exceptional lifelong memories on the cheap. As for my family, well, you
may see us at a hostel, farm, or campsite very soon. And if you're in New York
or the Bay Area and are up for trading spaces, drop me a line!
Dish with Mindful Mama! How does your family travel on the cheap?
Based in Phoenix, writer and editor
Karen Werner works too much and travels too little. But this year, she vows to
hit the road with her husband and 5-year-old son, Eli.