5 Tips to Make the Most of Your International Family Vacation

According to a recent AAA study, 70% of family travelers are planning to take one or two vacations in 2017. And while exploring your native country is always enjoyable, there's nothing quite like the excitement of traveling overseas, staying in an international boutique hotel, and exploring a new country for the first time. But before you head to the airport with your passport in tow, there are a lot of critical steps in the international vacation planning process -- especially if you're traveling overseas with kids.

To avoid any problems during your family vacation, here are some simple tips for making the most of your international adventure.

1. Stick to a budget

Instead of letting yourself go crazy with spending, create a reasonable and realistic daily budget. Start by deciding how much you want to spend on the entire trip, and then subtract hotel fees and airfare. Then, divide what's left by the number of days you'll be staying, give yourself some wiggle room for life's little surprises, and you have your budget. This is a great method to keep spending under control, but it's also important to keep a little bit of extra cash on hand in case of an emergency.

2. Thoroughly explore lodging options

Instead of Googling "best hotels" and reserving the first decently reviewed place that shows up, do plenty of research to explore all of your lodging options. Boutique hotels offer an even more authentic experience, and if you're planning on bringing the kids, make sure to explore toddler friendly resorts.

3. Make a list of 'must-sees'

It may not be realistic to create a minute-by-minute itinerary, but you should definitely make a list of spots you'd really like to check out during your trip. It's also a good idea to map out your hotel and routes ahead of time; you don't want to waste valuable time merely finding the hotel when you should be exploring your destination. Keep in mind that there are many apps and other digital resources that can help you with this.

4. Familiarize yourself with the native language

Many people simply neglect the fact that not everyone speaks English. This can cause a massive language barrier and effect several aspects of your trip. Prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed simply by learning a few basic phrases of the native language of the country you're visiting.

5. Teach your kids to travel

As many adults have learned the hard way, traveling right is a bit of an art form. And as many parents have learned the harder way, traveling with kids is another thing entirely. In the weeks leading up to the big trip, start preparing your kids for the adventure. Remind them how important it is to stay close together at all times, to be respectful in shared spaces, and to keep sibling infighting to a minimum. You can even let them pick one of the excursions or a special activity for the trip.

International travel is a great way to expand your horizons and explore the world. For kids, it can be a fun and educational journey. For more information about boutique hotels and wine tours in Tuscany, Italy, contact Villa Armena.