How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Family History Weekend Trip
Do you want to create lasting memories with your loved ones while discovering your family history? A family trip to explore your roots can be a fantastic bonding experience, but it can also be expensive. With that said, you can plan a budget-friendly family history weekend trip that won’t break the bank; it just requires a bit of planning and creativity. Today, the European Center of Military History (EUCMH), shares some simple tips for planning a trip that everyone can enjoy!
Planning for Your Absence
First, if you’re a business owner, it’s essential to plan for your absence before you leave. Be sure to delegate tasks to your employees, so your company can run smoothly in your absence. Turning over tasks can be difficult when you’re a business owner because it means giving up a bit of control. Prepare detailed instructions, timelines, and expectations to ensure everything runs smoothly while you’re gone. If you are unable to delegate tasks to your team members, consider hiring a temporary employee to fill in for you while you enjoy your trip.
Identify Your Luggage with a Custom Logo
Creating a logo for your family’s luggage is a smart way to make it easy to identify while traveling. You can design your own personalized logo by using a free design tool online, starting with a template that fits your style. Once you select a template, you can customize it with your own fonts, images, photos, and colors to reflect your family’s personality. A unique logo not only helps prevent mix-ups but also adds a fun, personal touch to your travel gear.
Choosing a Budget-Friendly Destination
You want your family history weekend trip to be as perfect as possible, which means you must choose the right destination. Instead of pricey tourist destinations, look for historical sites or small towns with family ties. Some historical records, like censuses and draft registrations, will give you the exact addresses of your ancestors’ residences, so if you visit a town where another generation of your family lived, you can sightsee the exact places where they lived! Whatever town you choose, places like skate parks, national monuments, and public historic sites often have free or low-cost admission fees.
Explore Battlefields of History
Exploring historical Second World War battlefields can be a meaningful experience if your family is traveling through Europe. Sites like Normandy in France, the Ardennes in Belgium, or the beaches of Dunkirk offer powerful insights into pivotal moments of the war. Many locations feature museums, memorials, and guided tours that bring history to life, providing both an educational and reflective opportunity. Visiting these places allows your family to connect with the past and appreciate the significance of the events that shaped modern Europe.
Saving on Your Travel Expenses
If you want to stretch your budget even further, find ways to cut your travel expenses. Consider driving instead of flying, or taking advantage of public transportation options. Research deals and promotions for hotels, airfare, and car rentals. Sign up for email newsletters from travel companies. And check deal sites for exclusive discounts.
Getting Accommodations With a Kitchen
Another way to save money on your trip is to book accommodations with a kitchen. Having a kitchen means that you can prepare your meals, significantly reducing the cost of dining out, and renting a vacation home, cabin, or apartment is often more affordable than staying in a hotel! Cooking meals together is also a fun way to bond and create memories as a family. Even better: cook family recipes that prior generations have created and shared.
Planning a Budget-Friendly Family Weekend
Planning a budget-friendly family history weekend trip is easier than you think. The key is to focus on experiences over expenses and plan ahead to save money on travel and accommodations. Remember to involve the rest of your family in the planning process so that everyone has a say in the itineraries, and take advantage of free or low-cost activities. You can create lasting memories while discovering your family’s unique history and heritage without breaking the bank!
To learn more about the battles and combatants that shaped modern Europe, visit the European Center of Military History today!
A free publication from Jason Lewis