The Best Family Reunions Start With A Good Plan

Getting relatives together for a family reunion can be a wonderful experience but, like most things, its success depends on proper planning.

Arranging the first gathering of the clan may seem a little daunting but it's manageable once you answer some basic questions about location, accommodations and date.

When choosing a destination, there are as many possibilities as there are family members. Here are some criteria to consider:

• Convenience -- Select a location near a major airport so it is easily accessible and offers service from a variety of airlines.
• Activities -- Choose an area that offers sightseeing and lots of activities. There may be family members who will want to extend their vacations beyond the reunion or take side trips to local attractions.
• Price -- Exotic locations may be nice but are not practical for a wide range of budgets, ages and interests. Choose an area that will give you a price most families can afford. Cruise ships and resorts are popular for reunions because of their all-inclusive pricing packages that include meals, activities and shows. Baby-sitting is often available.
• Preferences -- The family hometown can be a wonderful site for a reunion. So can a resort by the ocean, or one in the mountains or a big hotel in a major metropolitan area. Developing a consensus among relatives will help broaden participation.

Many kinds of accommodations are appropriate for a family reunion, from huge resorts to cozy inns. Depending on family size, you'll want a place that can hold at least one large reunion dinner. It also should have separate areas so relatives can congregate as a group, separate into smaller parties or spend time as couples.

When picking a date, consider that families with school-age children may find it easier to attend a reunion in the summer or around a long holiday weekend. Depending on the activities planned, choose the time of year with appropriate weather.

Your travel agent can tell you when a destination is less crowded and whether off-season discounts are available.

Remember, the larger the gathering, the longer the planning time. It may take 18 to 24 months to put together a reunion for a large family scattered across the country.

For help, contact a travel agency experienced at arranging group tours -- expertise they can use to help put your family reunion together. A full-service travel agency, such as AAA can provide information on locations, accommodations, transportation and group discounts.

Through its network of AAA offices across the United States and Canada, AAA travel agencies can assist your relatives wherever they live.