| All over the news, plaguing the newspaper headlines | | | | never drive it until you are ready to leave. {East |
| and dampening our fondness for SUVs, it is no | | | | Coast families interested in a beach getaway should |
| surprise that Americans are increasingly weary of the | | | | consider destinations such as Virginia Beach, VA or |
| escalating gas prices. With summer vacations in the | | | | Ocean City, MD} |
| minds of most Americans in need of a break, families | | | | - Research alternate transportation- Many popular |
| all over the country are reluctant to plan those | | | | vacation destinations offer seasonal transportation |
| all-important family vacations. After all, why shed the | | | | just for tourists. Look into public transportation as |
| bucks on your gas-guzzler when you can stay at | | | | well as special shuttles from attraction to attraction. |
| home, fill up the plastic kiddie pool, and have yourself | | | | Some hotels even offer free shuttles from the hotel |
| an old-fashioned barbeque? | | | | to popular area attractions. |
| Although the prospect of lighting up the coals on the | | | | - Shop the Internet- The Internet, with it's wide |
| ole' grill brings back fond memories of summers past, | | | | array of travel-oriented websites, is the best place to |
| Americans are overlooking the heart of the situation. | | | | start your research. Avoid the major travel websites |
| Family vacations are at the core of what brings | | | | that will only provide brief summaries of your favorite |
| families together, what takes mom and dad out of | | | | destinations. Instead, check out the local, "mom and |
| the office, and what creates lasting memories that | | | | pop" websites that often provide detailed information |
| your children look back on for the rest of their lives. | | | | and expert advice. When keying in your search term, |
| Forgoing the summer vacation and surrendering to | | | | avoid generic terms like "Ocean City" or "Virginia |
| gas prices is not the answer. Knowing how to plan a | | | | Beach". Instead, try: "Ocean City transportation" or |
| smart summer vacation IS the answer. Here are a | | | | "Virginia Beach vacation packages." |
| few tips for preserving the oh-so precious budget | | | | - Take it easy- The best vacations are ones that are |
| before and during your family vacation: | | | | not jam-packed with activities all day every day. Plan |
| - Choose your destination wisely- Chose a summer | | | | a day or two of activities to area attractions and |
| hot spot within an easy drive from your home. When | | | | play everything else "by ear." A day lounging at the |
| considering the destination, make sure you choose an | | | | hotel pool, or sunbathing on the beach is relaxing, and |
| area with concentrated attractions for the whole | | | | better yet, FREE! Bring a volleyball or football for the |
| family. The goal here is to drive to the hotel (within a | | | | kids while you are getting that much needed |
| day), park the family vehicle in the hotel garage, and | | | | R&R. |