Aruba – You may think planning a vacation with your family to an international destination is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be that way. According to accommodation expert Matthew Smillie, following a few simple tips can make traveling anywhere with your children a breeze.

“Traveling as a family, especially to international destinations, can be rewarding and offer your children beautiful memories,” says Smillie, whose company Aruba Villa Vacation Homes offers beach rentals for every type of traveler. “With a bit of planning ahead of time, that trip can also be as stress-free as possible for the parents, allowing them to relax and soak up the sun and memories.”

Before you go Before you book your travel, be sure you choose a destination that offers plenty of activities for children. Not only can you plan your dream vacation with one of the many Aruba rentals, the island of Aruba also offers plenty of exciting destinations for children to enjoy. From its beautiful and pristine beaches, to snorkeling excursions, to visiting museums, gardens and even activities like horseback riding, Aruba offers something for every member of the family.

Check to be sure passports, vaccinations, etc. are all up to date. Be sure each of your children, and the parents, have valid passports that allow travel to Aruba. Before leaving, it is also a good idea to be sure vaccinations are current for your children, and that you have fresh refills for any prescription medication you may need. Aruba offers excellent hospitals and health clinics, however, pharmacies will not be able to refill American prescriptions. Be sure you have enough to last your entire vacation.

Before leaving home, call your health insurance company to ensure you’ll be covered should an accident or illness happen while you are away from home. You may be able to purchase additional travel health insurance if your carrier does not provide for it in your standard plan.

What to plan for When choosing your destination, it is important to choose one that offers plenty of excitement for your children. But it is also important to choose a housing option that offers comfort and activities.

“Many families look at beach villas in Aruba when traveling,” says Smillie. “Homes, condos and villas offer all the amenities and comforts of home. With actual bedrooms, they allow children to settle in. Parents love renting vacation homes because they offer private kitchens that allow the family to cook many meals, rather than have to incur the expenses of eating out every meal.”

There are some things to look for when searching for the right rental home, however. Choose a home that offers plenty of room for the family, and is close to the activities your family is interested in.

Look not just at the number of bedrooms, but the number of people the home can sleep. Many rental homes maximize space by having bunk beds or two twin beds in bedrooms, or having sleeper sofas. Working with a reputable rental company, such as Aruba Villa Vacation Home, can ensure your family has enough space to stretch out, but hat the home you choose is also near the activities your family plans to take part in.

Check out the home’s amenities before booking. Many private homes also have private pools, which can be a huge bonus when traveling with children. Ask also about things such as televisions, access to Wi-Fi, etc.

Many homes may also offer the comforts small children need, allowing for the parents to pack a little lighter. Check to see if the home or rental company you are using can offer things such as high chairs, cribs or even strollers so that you won’t need to carry everything from your home.

Other tips to remember when traveling include:

    • Pack snacks for your children for the plane/car ride. Purchasing snacks in the airport or on the plane can be pricey, so pack your own snacks from home to save a bit of money.
    • Pack plenty of activities to keep children entertained during travel. Travel DVD players with your children’s favorite movies, coloring activities, books for older children, games for children to play together, etc. Pack anything you think will keep your children from getting bored during a long day of travel.
    • Encourage your children to get plenty of rest before leaving home. Traveling is exciting and children may be too ramped up to get proper rest. Encourage them to be in bed at an early hour to prevent them from being overtired on the day of travel.
    • Pack any necessary items, such as over-the-counter or prescription medications, in a carry-on bag, as well as a change of clothes for each member of the family. That way, if baggage gets lost along the way, family members will still have their essential items with them.

Once you’ve reached your destination Once you’ve safely reached your destination, relax! Working with an expert travel company such as Aruba Villa Vacation Homes can help ensure everything is in order for your family vacation. Their experts can arrange travel to and from the airport, have a rental car waiting at your home, arrange excursions and dinner reservations, and even have your kitchen and pantry fully stocked upon your arrival. That means all your family has to do is relax, soak up the sun and enjoy yourselves. To learn more about Aruba Villa Vacation Rental Services, visit this page.

With a little bit of careful planning, traveling as a family can be a snap.

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Posted on Sep 10, 2021.