Beaches

Sometimes taking the whole family on vacation can become as much a chore as it is a joy. The famous movie staring Chevy Chase, National Lampoon's Vacation and the many sequels use the frustrations of going on family vacation for a good source of humor. But going on a long vacation with your family is not only a trial on everybody's nerves, it can be a real financial hardship as well.

This is why finding a natural setting where the entertainment is easy to come by and inexpensive or free is a good vacation choice. And going to a beach location fills that requirement nicely. By picking a beach location that is closest to your home, you can have the family settled into a beach house for a week of relaxation and fun that will be exciting for everybody in the group and create family unity rather than hurt it as happened to The Griswalds on their trip to Wallyworld in that Chevy Chase movie.

The problem with going to a theme park is that the entertainment is totally manufactured. This is one of the many reasons a beach setting is so ideal. Each day, you can cut the kids loose on the beach and see them frolic in the sand and surf of a very natural setting. They are getting exercise and having fun at the same time. What is often true of a theme park is that the family is enjoying someone else's imaginative creation, at a hefty cost. But, as we all know, children do not need any help with imagination. A day on the beach with all the sand and surf they can handle will give them the raw materials for dozens of adventures all carried out in complete safety and leisure on the beach.

The expense of going to a theme park is another big incentive to take the family to the beach where nature is free for the enjoying. Sure, there will be expenses such as the hotel or beach house and food. But you would have those expenses in Orlando or some other theme park location and still have to pay for the attractions. Once you are settled where you are going to pass your vacation on the beach, other than perhaps taking a sight seeing boat or letting the kids rent inner tubes or surfboards to play in the water, you can feel good about letting everyone have a great time enjoying what they like about a beach vacation.

What may be the best thing about taking the family to the beach is that there is something for everybody and dad, mom and the kids can all be having the time of their lives, together but enjoying what they like about the beach. While the teenagers explore the waters and the younger children build sand castles on the shore and mom and dad can kick back in their beach chairs and relax in the sun knowing all is well with the world. And when everyone finishes their day at the beach happy and relaxed, you will enjoy each other completely in a true family vacation in the natural setting of a beach vacation.