Are you planning to take your family on a spring break vacation? You’re not alone, with many of us planning getaways for spring break and beyond.

To help you look forward to a great getaway, here are some tips for smooth family travel this spring break.

Picking the right holiday

Choose a destination and hotel that’s family-friendly, convenient for meals and has amenities your family will love. Make sure it’s close to a place you may want to explore.

Pro tips: Don't forget to book with your BCAA Membership to save on accommodation, rental vehicles and more. Use BCAA’s online TripTik planner to create and customize your route then save and print high-quality, personalized, detailed maps right from your home.

Remember to pack BC's top choice for Travel Insurance

Before you travel, get peace of mind with BCAA Travel Insurance, starting at only $20 per trip. You'll get affordable and flexible coverage for individuals and families, with Single Trip and Annual Multi-trip Plan options for out of province and out of country travel. You'll get 24/7 virtual care so you can get the medical help you need, wherever you are in the world. Plus, Members save 10%* on BCAA Travel Insurance and Kids Are Covered Free** (available for both Single Trip and Annual Multi-trip plans).

Pro packing pointers

Travel like a boss with these smart packing tips. For example, get everyone super organized by ordering packing cubes to divide your family’s clothes into vacation days of the week.

Entertainment and playlists

Travel always means waiting for flights, trains, shuttles or buses. Fill that time with reading, napping or the entertainment you bring along. We recommend bringing fully-charged devices, tablets and laptops with entertainment like:

• Movies and TV: download your favourite movies and TV shows in advance, so you don’t have to rely on undependable Wi-Fi.
• Music and Podcasts.
• Games.
• Headphones for everyone so you can block out unwanted noise and keep your fun to yourselves.

Be smart about water and food consumption

Here are some safety tips to follow to help you stay hydrated, eat well and help minimize the risk of food or water-related illness.

• On the flight, make sure everyone in your family drinks lots of water, as planes dehydrate the body.
• When you get to your destination, find a good clean, drinkable water source. Drinking low-quality water can lead to many minor ailments or more serious health problems. When your family brushes their teeth, make sure they brush with bottled or purified water and avoid running their toothbrush under the tap.
• Avoid fountain drinks since they are often made with tap water that’s been carbonated. Make sure the ice in your drinks is made from bottled or purified water or avoid ice altogether.
• Try to stick to cooked food over raw food as heat kills germs. Watch out for raw foods like cut-up fruit and vegetables and salads, as well as condiments, sauces and dips made from raw fruits or vegetables.
• If your family plans to be on the go for hours at a time, stock up on packaged dry foods like bread, crackers, chips, chocolate or nutrition bars so you don’t have to eat street food.
• If anyone in your family has food allergies, note what they're allergic to and how serious the condition is. Write it down in the local language of your destination.

Swimming, hiking and watersports

To keep everyone safe and injury-free, follow the instructions at your accommodations, swimming pool, beaches and tours. Here are some general prevention tips:

• Don’t run in swimming pool areas.
• Avoid too much sun exposure. Use sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
• Be aware of safety signs at beaches and follow their instructions.
• Only swim in areas where a lifeguard is on duty.
• If you’re going on a hike or long walk, use proper footwear like closed-toe shoes or runners.

If you and your family decide to take things up a notch with activities such as canyoning, surfing or parasailing, ensure you have travel insurance that covers these types of activities since they typically come with specific risks. BCAA Travel Insurance includes coverage for these activities, as well as many others, however some may require extra coverage. Chat with a BCAA Insurance Expert for details.

Protect your valuables and be prepared

Here are additional smart travel tips to help keep your personal items and information safe and to be prepared in case of the unexpected.

• Take steps to avoid money-related issues that could put a damper on your trip with these six effective ways to keep your money safe while travelling.
• Carry a portable phone charger and local electrical outlet adapter when venturing out.
• If you don’t know the local language, keep a translating app on your phone so you can ask for help.
• Share all of your travel info and itinerary with someone you trust back home.
• Keep local emergency helpline numbers on your phone and written down.

For more great travel advice, check out the Government of Canada Travel and Tourism website. You'll get info on travel advisories, travel safety and much more.

Have a great family getaway!

^{Travel Insurance is sold through B.C.A.A. Holdings Ltd. dba BCAA Insurance Agency, a licensed insurance agent and is underwritten by BCAA Insurance Corporation. Insurance claims are administered by Orion Travel Insurance, a division of Echelon Insurance, and its subcontractors, Active Care Management (2018) Inc. and Global Excel Management Inc. Policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations can be found in the policy wording at bcaa.com/wordings. The availability of virtual care depends on your geographic location, medical emergency and remains subject to the discretion of BCAA Claims Assistance. Policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations can be found in the policy wording at bcaa.com/wordings. The availability of virtual care depends on your geographic location, medical emergency and remains subject to the discretion of BCAA Claims Assistance.}

^{** Dependent children are free on a family policy with two paying adults. Adults must be aged 59 or younger.}