When we plan the annual vacation, we often find that we can’t fit every adventure or the hotel we want in our budget. It is important that you plan your trip carefully and choose programs that every family member is going to enjoy. If you can’t afford to fly, you can take the car and explore your neighborhood or create a memorable staycation. No matter which option you choose, you will be guaranteed to stretch your vacation budget further than you thought. Below you will find a few tips on how to get started.

Book On Time

The sooner you book your vacation the better prices you are likely to get. This is a statement you might have heard a couple of times, but it is not always true. In fact, there are plenty of popular hotels that automatically raise their prices in peak season, no matter when you book the room. This is why you will have to get started with the planning on time and explore areas that are not as popular, so you get better deals and still have a good time.

Take a Road Trip

If you can’t go to see the beach resort you want, it might be a good idea to book a hotel nearby and go on a road trip. You don’t necessarily have to stay at the same place to have some good time. In fact, you can stay in another city or near a new beach every day, if you want to, staying just outside of the tourist areas. You can take a road trip to a nearby state, create a detailed itinerary, and make the most out of the days, and stay in budget hostels at night.

Travel in Larger Groups

If you would like to stay in a luxury villa, but can’t afford to rent one, you should plan your own vacation and invite your friends along as well. The more ways you spread the cost of the large villa rental near the beach the less it will cost you. Not to mention that you can hire a minivan together or a small bus, share the cooking and cleaning, childcare chores, so everyone can have a great time. A villa with a private pool might be just what you need to relax and take a break from your busy routine.

Look for Villas

If you are taking the kids with you and don’t want to pay for the extra staff and services, you might want to look for cheap private villa rentals instead of going through the agency. There are plenty of direct booking sites that offer great service and competitive prices, such as Village Properties vacation rentals where you can pick your accommodation based on the location, facilities, nearby attractions, and the number of rooms, so you can accommodate all family members.

Go Camping

If you would like to create a memorable vacation on a budget, camping is a great and cheap option. You will find family campsites close to most of the beaches and national parks, so you can spend some quality time together, going on bike rides, hiking, or even learning new skills, such as rock climbing, diving, paragliding, or paddleboarding.

Take the RV

Whether or not you have an RV you can stay in comfort and take your accommodation with you. The good news is that you can hire one locally or get an RV dropped off at your home before you travel, and get the accommodation for the entire trip sorted. Depending on the size of your family, you can get away with a smaller one that has its shower room and kitchen and is fully equipped with electricity through solar panels, so you don’t even have to worry about finding a camping site with a hookup point.

Take Advantage of Kids-Go-Free Offers

In case you are traveling with smaller kids, comfort and space might be your main priority. When booking your vacation, make sure you select hotels that offer free spaces for kids under a certain age, and activities, programs, and daycare, so you can have some adult time, too. By not having to pay for the little ones, you will be able to save enough money to visit the local theme park and get a family room upgrade.

There are plenty of ways of stretching your vacation budget, depending on your preferences and family dynamics. Go on a road trip, plan a staycation, or hire an RV to take you further and allow you to see more of the world for less.