3 Tips For a Safe Family “Snowbird” Vacation

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Just before or during Winter, many people decide to take annual trips to warmer climates. There are also snowbirds who flock to cooler climates to enjoy skiing, ice skating and other winter activities. Below are some tips to use in preparation to have a safe, healthy and pleasant vacation during the winter months.

1. Documentation

First ensure that everyone in your party has valid identification and other official documentation at the ready. Verify what travel documents will be necessary and be certain that passports and traveling visas are in order if required. Have enough cash available to assist with situations where credit or debit cards may not be accepted. Also, create a budget document to keep track of expenses for reference.

Scan into your computer documents like birth certificates, identification, passports, credit card information and health records. Keep a copy on a safe email server in case it needs to be accessed quickly. Whether it’s safety information from a travel website or the advice from your West Palm Beach injury lawyers, both will notify you to send a copy of the documents to a relative so that they can followup should a mishap or accident occur.

2. Physical Safety

There are a few things that travelers should keep in mind when planning to take a snowbird trip. First, ensure that the hotel and lodging choices are in safe areas. Many people tend to go for the deals. Be sure to check out the crime rates and look at reviews before you make a commitment. It is better to find out ahead of time that some place will not be suitable, rather than when it is harder to switch places.

Snowbirds should also have a physical to verify it is safe for them to travel for an extended time period. Find out if immunizations are required or recommended. Ensure that there is an adequate amount of vitamins and medications for everyone who needs them. Also carry along your doctor and pharmacy numbers in case an emergency refill is necessary. Finally, look into the types of specialized insurance that may be necessary, from medical to traveler’s insurance.

3. Activities and Safety

Plan special events and attractions ahead of time. This will ensure that you can participate in the types of experiences that you enjoy. This is also helpful over the holiday season, when locals as well as tourists will be in town. Planning ahead also gives you a chance to consider more options, rather than rushing into an activity that perhaps should have been avoided, were there enough time to think it through.

For example, those who enjoy boating should be careful about what type of vessel they rent. Many people do not realize that renting a large boat could be a bad decision since they can be very difficult to navigate, especially when there is alcohol involved. It is for these reasons that so many boating accidents occur in places like Florida over the winter break.

In fact, many times it is best to find lodgings that are located nearest to what you like to do. Snowbird vacations last longer than most. Therefore, knowing ahead of time where the beach, restaurants, grocery stores and movie theaters are located can give you a better sense of what it will be like to stay in that area. Create a map of the area ahead of time to make it easier once you arrive.

Taking a snowbird vacation is something that many people enjoy doing annually. With some planning ahead and preparation, it is much easier to have a worry-free and enjoyable time in your home away from home during the colder months.

Being a former “snowbird” helps freelance writer, Nadine Swayne, offer this advice to fellow travelers.  Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, a West Palm Beach injury lawyers group, can help with the complex case of a boating accident that may have occurred during a seasonal travelers vacation.  Since 1997, they have defended the rights of clients and will be able to help you and your loved one receive the compensation deserved.

31 Comments

  1. These are really great tips! thanks for sharing 😉 don’t forget to get accustomed to the drastic weather change!!!

  2. i now what you mean about snow bird vacation i was hit on a bike by someone who was a snow bird they came to az and then some one hit me and she did not have insurance

  3. great tips

  4. I’m a sno-bird for sure. Like to get out of the cold and go to AZ, FL or SC and stay in safe timeshares! Great ideas and tips!

  5. Scanning your documentation is such a great idea.

  6. Great tips! I live in Florida, so I am never going to be in any danger of needing to become a snowbird though LOL.

  7. That image makes me want to go to the beach, like now!

  8. Those are great tips! We’ll be missing our Colorado skiing vacation this year but we’re going to Hawaii for our honeymoon & those tips work for both!

  9. I used to be a out of country Snow Bird every November! Ahh, those were the days! We were lucky to go with a huge group and each time we all travelled, we would share new tips & advice to help things go smooth .. Enjoy & take a vacation!

  10. I’d love to snowbird one year!

  11. Great tips! I’m in south Texas, so I really have no reason to escape, but a few years ago, we took a cruise during the winter, and it was great to go from 40s and 50s to 80s and 90s! Haha! 😉

  12. You would think living in Las Vegas would have us never even considering a snowbird vacation, but it was in the high 20s/low 30s last week and I was dreaming about warm beachy sand!

  13. No snowbird here I have plenty in my backyard…I’m dreaming of warmer weather. Great tips!

  14. Great tips, funny you should mention Snowbird; we have a time share at Snowbird Ski resort in Utah

  15. You certainly mentioned some very important things to consider before taking a vacation. Several are things I’ve never considered, but should have! Wish I were going to a warmer climate right now, but looks like I’m stuck here in the cold and snow 🙁

  16. With as cold as it has been here in NJ this last week I’d be so happy to board a plane headed towards some warmer climate!

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