BENEFITS OF A BIG FAMILY GETAWAY

If you're like most close-knit families, you love taking vacations together. The benefits of spending quality time all in one location make this trend so popular, among other reasons.

For one, this is an excellent opportunity to bond and reconnect with extended family and friends. You can catch up on their day-to-day lives while reliving old memories through shared stories that make everyone belly laugh. It’s also a great way to make new memories!

Group vacations can also be more cost-effective than individual trips. When sharing a vacation, you can split the cost of things like accommodations, meals, rental cars, and even activities. Plus, with so many people to help organize, there's bound to be someone who has amazing recommendations for the whole family.

Next, big family trips offer a chance to explore new places and try new activities with your favorite people. Whether you're hitting the slopes or visiting a national park, meaningful and shared experiences create lasting euphoria for individuals and groups. By simply sharing a meal at a new restaurant or trying a new hiking trail, a deeper meaning can be attached to the experience; thus, making you happier longer and well beyond the event or experience itself.

And finally, family vacations are just plain fun! With so many people to interact with, there's never a dull moment. If you're looking for an exciting and memorable vacation experience, a big family getaway is definitely worth considering.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A FAMILY VACATION

A family vacation is a special time to bond with your loved ones. It’s the perfect chance to spend quality time together that you don’t usually have due to work, school, and other family obligations. However, planning a trip that will accommodate the needs and interests of everyone in the family can be daunting. With a little forethought and preparation, you can ensure that your family vacation is a big hit!

So, when it comes to planning a big family getaway, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Start by involving everyone in the decision-making process—or by appointing a decision-maker from each family. This will make things easier as you’ll have one point of contact for each family.
• Another essential first step in planning a family vacation is to create a budget and decide how much you can afford to spend individually and as a group.
• Then, ask family members where they would like to go and what activities they would like to do. There are a variety of activities to choose from, so it's important to find something that everyone can agree on. Can’t all agree? Find multiple activities at the same time so you can divide and conquer to enjoy your vacation.
• Once you have a general idea of what everyone wants, you can start narrowing down your options for places to stay for the entire group. Vacation rental companies, like Natural Retreats, have seen a surge in demand for large-scale rentals, as families are looking for places that provide all the necessary amenities to create a relaxing environment for large groups. (More on this later.)
• Lastly, you'll want to make sure that you have plenty of food and supplies in your vacation home. When dealing with a large group, it's always better to be prepared or over-prepared—especially with food.
  
  PRO TIP: When planning a massive adventure like this, don’t forget to factor in downtime, everyone will need a break from sightseeing at some point!
  
  With a little planning, you can ensure that your big family getaway is a success. So what are the best destinations for a big family vacation? Keep reading to find out!

PLACES TO STAY FOR FAMILY TRIPS

Large families are looking for places to comfortably accommodate them and provide a bit of privacy. With plenty of space and all the amenities of home, vacation rentals are becoming the go-to option for big family getaways. With the help of Natural Retreats, you're sure to find the perfect place to create lasting memories with your loved ones.

Here are our recommendations by location:

Park City, Utah

Pioche Ski Home: This newly remodeled 5-bedroom mountain chalet is conveniently located on its own private ski run—Pichoe Ski Trail—and is easily accessible from Lake Jordanelle. This year-round destination offers panoramic mountain views, high ceilings, and a fabulous kitchen to make old family recipes. Sleeps up to 16 guests at a time.

Elysium Chalet: This 6-bedroom ski-in, skl-out chalet is an ultra-modern home that has multiple indoor and outdoor living areas so everyone can spread out, as well as a heated pool and hot tub. Not to mention, a wall of asymmetrical windows for unparalleled mountain and lake views. Sleeps up to 16 guests comfortably.

Sea Islands, South Carolina

The Oyster’s Pearl on Harbor Island: While on the smaller size, this 2-bedroom home boasts charming creek and river views and is ideal for a couple’s retreat or a small family getaway. Staying on Harbor Island includes access to the pools, fitness center, tennis courts, and a basketball court. Sleeps up to 6 guests at a time.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Mountain Vista Retreat: If you’re looking for the quintessential laid-back mountain charm, then this is the perfect escape for your next family vacation. Mountain Vista is a 4-bedroom cozy alpine retreat that offers peace and quiet for the whole family as it features 3-levels of professionally decorated spaces, in-floor radiant heating, three separate family rooms, and incredible views. Sleeps up to 10 guests total.