that many Americansdort takeall their paid vacation days. One theory is that the pressure people put on themselves to plan a perfect getaway leads them to plan nothingatall. After all, dreaming of the perfect family vacationis one thing, actually planning it another. The Problem Factors like where to go, what to do and how muchto spendare all reasons vacation planning is daunting for many families, but a recent study found it may help to skip the Internet research and call the kids instead. Your Kids May Have the Answer ‘The Kidpinions study by FamilyFun magazine and HomeAway, the world’s leading online vacation rental marketplace, surveyed hundredsof parents and kids. Nine out of 10 parents said their kids play a role in vacation planning. “People alwaysask adults their opinion, but what’s really cool about includ- Family vacations can be more fun than ever when parents and children plan them out together. It helps everyone feel like they're part of the process and reinforces the idea that sometimes things are planned just becauseit will make someoneelse happy. 2. Choose a special place to sleep. Traditional accommodationshave plenty of perks, but seeking out truly unique places to stay, such as a tree house (they're out there) or even a castle (it’s ing kids in theresearch is that we found possible), can be what sets this year’s to them asit is to their parents,” said news? HomeAway.com can help you making memories is just as important Melanie Fish, HomeAway’s family travel expert. “Young people value experiences over‘stuff, and families are planning va- cations together” Forty-three percent of kid respondents said theyd prefer to go on vacation rather than receive a physical gift for their next birthday. The survey also showed that kids and parents share the same vacation vision. In fact, both parents and kids have “pool” as the most important amenity when choosing where to stay, followed by having enough rooms for everyone to claim their own. Tips For Your Trip Elizabeth Shaw, editor in chief of FamilyFun magazine, offered advice on how to make the planning easier and a vacation more memorable. 1.Let each person in the family plan a day. Have each family member get a turn or two to choose whatto do. trip apart from all the rest. The good find both. 3. Write down a daily memory. Bring along some printer paper and a nice marker. Write the nameofthe trip across the top—for example, “Cape Cod 2017’—then take turns each night writing down one favorite memory from the day. When youre home, scan it and uploadit to a photo service such as Minted.com.It'll clean up the smudges and send you a frame-worthy digital print. With more than 2 million vacation homes for rent around the world, HomeAwayis investing in finding out what kids and parents want on vacation as partof its missionto help families disconnect from everyday life and spend time reconnecting with each other. Learn More For further information on the Kidpinionssurvey or on booking a vacation rental, visit www. HomeAway.com.
