Goal for It: Go on a Family Trip Abroad

Goal # 5: Go on a family trip abroad

You’ve got a whole year to plan for a trip in December! Breaking it down into manageable monthly tasks should help. Try following the schedule below (some adjustments may be necessary for the destinations and travel dates you have in mind), and be on your way to a grand family vacation abroad.

January: Decide on a travel date.
Your kids’ breaks will be the biggest determinant, but make sure you can take an extended leave as well. Save up your leave credits and file for a vacation leave way in advance.

February: Decide where to go.
Making this a family decision ensures everyone will have something to look forward to. When you settle on a destination, do some initial research: Study the visa requirements, bookmark hotel sites, pick up a few guidebooks, set a rough budget, and check reviews online. You’ll revisit each of these steps later on, but now, you want to check for any special requirements you’ll need to take care of early on.

March: Make sure everyone’s passports are current.
Passports about to expire in six months are no longer valid for travel. The renewal process requires a personal appearance, and slots can be booked up to months ahead (family slots can be reserved, so you can all go together). Once you get an appointment, it will take from 10 (express) to 20 (regular) working days to get your new passport.

April: Plan for accommodations.
It may seem presumptuous to book your transport and accommodation before getting all your other requirements in order, but if you’re applying for a new tourist visa, most countries will look for proof of these.

May: Review your visa requirements.
Start preparing all the necessary documents. These may include transport and accommodation arrangements, bank statements, government clearances, and so on. When processing your documents, make sure they stay valid until they’re actually needed for the application.

Some documents expire within three to six months. Check the lead times for setting an appointment and processing the application, so you can adjust your schedule accordingly.

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June: Apply for a visa.
Once you have all the requirements, send in your application and call (or book online) to set an appointment. Some embassies charge hefty fees for applications, so make sure you have all your requirements ready to avoid any costly delays.

July: Book your flight.
Keep an eye out for flight deals and seat sales. If you’re traveling late in the year, you might not be able to find deals that offer flight dates beyond six months. Check back midyear to see if any new offers are available. Make sure you subscribe to the alerts of your selected airlines so you don’t miss out on any good deals.

August: Revisit your budget, and shop for supplies.
Now that your travel arrangements are ready, you can plug the costs into your initial budget and make some adjustments. Don’t forget to factor in the at-home costs of your trip, such as supplies. While stores are holding their rainy-day sales, take the opportunity to shop for clothes and special gear (like swimsuits or cold-weather attire) you will need for your trip. Take this time to do a packing dry run, and see if everything fits in your suitcase (and is within airline weight limits).

September: Plan your detailed itinerary.
Get the whole family involved in deciding which places are must-visits, which attractions are must-sees, and which dishes are must-eats. Get a calendar and pencil in your activities for each day, and remember to leave some time to be spontaneous (which your kids will surely appreciate).

October: Take care of medical concerns.
Visit your family doctor to get any required certifications, get everyone a clean bill of health, and administer any necessary vaccinations such as flu or malaria shots. Get your prescriptions refilled, and make sure you have prescriptions for all your drugs.

November:Make any last minute arrangements.
Shop for supplies, get travel insurance, activate your cell phone’s roaming feature, and take care of all the little details such as arranging for someone to look after your house, feed your pets, and water your plants.

December: Get on that plane... and have the time of your lives!


Beatriz Estela Tianco is the editor in chief of travel website Travelbook.ph.