Traveling has always been a priority for our family. Even after having kids, my husband and I have kept traveling at the center of our lives. Whether we’re exploring with our two girls, taking a trip just the two of us, or going solo, we’re pretty much always in between adventures.

Why? Because the value of travel has been so meaningful for our family and our well-being.

And so we live our lives in a way that allows us to logistically and financially support this value.

I know this is the kind of life many people dream about—traveling often and making the most of every trip. In this blog, I’m sharing how I plan our vacations, from choosing destinations (usually sparked by something I see on social media) to budgeting intentionally (saving at home so we can splurge on experiences). For us, planning a trip is equal parts strategy and excitement.

I’ll also share how I pack efficiently—especially with kids in tow—plus what I’ve learned about what’s actually worth bringing along. Let’s dive into how I plan for a vacation and make it all happen.

Budgeting for Travel

After many, many years of intentionally budgeting for travel, we’ve made it work to the point where we could travel once a month if we wanted to. One big part of this is choosing not to spend money on things we don’t need like eating out or ordering take out.

Instead of going out to dinner or running to Starbucks for coffee, we pack lunches, eat dinner at home and skip the DoorDash. It’s incredible to see how fast food and convenience spending can eat up funds that could be a travel budget.

Whenever we plan for a vacation, we also set aside a part of our income each month that we allocate to our travel budget based on where we know we want to go and how much that’s going to cost us.

Determining the Length of Trip

How long we stay when we plan a vacation really depends on where we’re going and what kind of trip it is. For quick getaways—like somewhere within a few hours’ flight or a road trip—we often do 4-6 days and take advantage of long weekends.

If it’s international or a place we’ve been dreaming about for a while, we try to stretch it to at least 10-21 days so we’re not rushed and make the most of how much time and energy it takes to travel internationally, especially with kids.

We also look at school breaks, flight availability, and how much time we can actually afford to be out of our routine without adding unnecessary stress to our lives. The sweet spot is usually long enough to settle in, explore, and unwind—but not so long that re-entry feels challenging.

How to Plan a Family Vacation: Choosing the Destination

I usually take the lead on choosing where we go and I keep an eye on trending spots through social media —if a place looks stunning and I haven’t heard a ton of people talking about it yet, it jumps to the top of my list. We almost always end up visiting a year or two before it becomes everyone’s favorite, which I love.

Try looking up things on IG and TikTok like “family vacation, vacation ideas for couples, budget friendly vacations, beach vacation ideas” and so on.

Once the destination is locked in, John (my husband) takes over. He’s the master planner using TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and so on. So I give him the “where,” and he handles the “how.” That’s how I plan for a vacation and this process keeps our vacation planning stress-free.

Finding Where to Stay: Save Smart, Splurge Intentionally

We are not hotel snobs. We never stay in ultra-luxurious rooms because, let’s be honest, we’re barely in the hotel. We look for something clean, comfortable, and ideally under $300 a night depending on where we are in the world, and usually something that has a four-star rating or above. I’d rather save on accommodations and put that money toward unforgettable experiences.

So, where do we splurge? On the good stuff—private tours, unique excursions, local cuisine, and experiences. That balance helps us plan for a vacation trip that is both budget-friendly, deeply fulfilling and memorable.

How We Find Things to Do on Vacation

Once we’ve nailed down the destination, we love diving into research mode. We’ll usually check out cool blogs, watch YouTube videos, scroll through Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok to see what locals are doing—not just the touristy stuff. Whether it’s a relaxing trip or something more adventurous, it really depends on the part of the world we’re exploring.

In places with beautiful scenery, we’re likely to splurge on hiking excursions, guided bike tours, or cultural experiences that let us really soak in the vibe. And if we’re traveling with the kids, we try to plan around things that are fun for them, too. When it’s just the two of us, we’re more likely to choose things like spa days, wine tastings, more remote hikes that go to beautiful places, or late-night shows and music.

How We Choose Where to Eat

We like to eat really well when we travel—but we’re definitely not booking Michelin stars every night unless it’s a special occasion.

Our go-to strategy when we plan for a vacation is a mix of research and spontaneity. Before we go, we usually find a few must-try spots by checking Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, social media, and local food blogs. Once we’re there, we love to ask locals where they like to eat—it almost always leads to something better than what we’d find on a “Top 10” list.

We aim for a good mix: one or two must-try splurges, some solid casual spots, and plenty of flexibility so we can follow our cravings or stumble into a hidden gem.

Traveling with Kids vs. Traveling as a Couple

How I plan for a vacation can shift depending on who we’re traveling with. When it’s a family trip, we often plan around school schedules and holidays—which means we’re traveling during peak seasons. That makes our daily budgeting even more important. With the kids, it’s all about balancing fun and practicality.

When it’s just John and me, it’s easier to be more spontaneous, do adult things, and even plan last-minute getaways or do something more off the beaten path. Still, how I plan for vacation doesn’t drastically change—it’s still all about keeping the stress low, the experiences rich, the budget balanced, and the memories unforgettable.

Packing Like a Pro (Especially with Kids)

Whether we’re traveling as a family or it’s just my husband and I, packing smart makes everything smoother. I use a simple system—planning outfits by day, mixing and matching layers, sticking to the essentials, and having essentials that make me feel prepared for anything from staying organized to accidents and weather changes.

And I always leave a little extra space for the things we bring home—because there’s always something. This list has all of my favorite travel essentials for organization and minimal packing, and here’s a few more of my go-tos:

– Clear Zipper Pouches – I use these to separate snacks, meds, toiletries, and small toys. They make it easy to grab exactly what I need mid-flight.

– Headphones (for the kids) – A must-have for screen time on the plane. Look for ones with volume limits to protect their ears.

– Mini Hand Sanitizer – I clip one on the outside of my bag so it’s always easy to grab. Always trying to minimize getting a bug while we’re traveling!

– Travel Vomit Bags – Honestly, they’ve saved us more than once. I always keep a few folded flat at the bottom of my tote—just in case.

– Flushable Wipes & Tissues – For sticky hands, mystery spills, and unexpected nosebleeds.

– Travel Laundry Bag – Separating dirty clothes from clean clothes is a must, especially if we’re traveling with the kids.

– Packing Cubes – Total game-changer for keeping everyone’s outfits organized by day or person.

– Travel Toiletry Bottles – Never bring full size bottles again! It saves so much space and keeps our bags light.

– Portable Phone Charger – Because nothing’s worse than trying to navigate an airport with 2% battery and a tight layover.

– Kids’ Activities – Think: sticker books, reusable drawing pads, or mess-free coloring kits. Quiet, compact, and attention holding

Trust me, these are some of my favorite essentials that make travel days so much smoother.

Plan for a Vacation That Works for You

Here’s what I always recommend: First, make budgeting for travel a priority and integrate it into your lifestyle choices by minimizing eating out and cutting out unnecessary spending as much as possible.

Then, choose a destination based on interest—not hype. Research using Google, TripAdvisor, social media and ChatGPT. From there, look for clean and affordable accommodations that are within walking distance to things you want to do, experiences you’re excited about, and places you want to eat! Lastly, prep your packing list so you’re always prepared and don’t have to spend unnecessary money.

Whether you’re trying to figure out how to plan a family vacation or how to plan for a vacation itinerary that blends adventure with rest, it all starts with your everyday habits. Hope this peek into how we do it helps you prep your next adventure!

If you want to read more of our family trips and travel hacks, be sure to read these posts next: Family Vacation in Japan: Where to Go and What To Do, French Riviera: Things to Do & Must-See Spots, and The Best Vacation Spot: St. Barth’s Travel Guide.