An awful lot goes into a family holiday, and it can become a little overwhelming. Too many of us end up disappointed by our time away, and shepherding kids through international travel and unfamiliar environments can add to the potential stress.
The best way to ensure a great experience you’ll treasure forever is planning (the second and third-best ways? Also planning). Here’s what to consider when looking at your next big break.
Choose the right destination
Finding a place to go that suits your children is obviously important, but don’t neglect your own desires either. The parts of the holiday that feel like chores will feel less so when you’re excited to be there.
When travelling with kids, you’ll be looking for comfortable weather conditions and a variety of activities that suit all ages, and you might be surprised at how suitable some destinations are with a bit of research. Prioritise safety, though – you can check government advice for travel to specific countries to make sure you know what you’re dealing with.
Budget wisely without sacrificing fun
Feeling like you’ve spent more than you wanted on a holiday can hang over your head the whole trip, putting more pressure on you to force a great time rather than simply letting you enjoy the time spent with the people who matter most to you. So it’s best to get a full picture of your costs in advance, evaluating what’s possible so that you can arrange a trip that doesn’t leave you stretched.
When budgeting, you’ll need to consider expenditure on transport, accommodation, activities, food and travel insurance. Ways to reduce costs could include opting for self-catered accommodation that reduces your reliance on eating out or exploring the variety of package tours or last-minute deals that are on offer for popular destinations.
Plan activities for all ages
The best family holidays have a healthy mix of relaxation and adventure. Variety keeps kids entertained and will also allow you to get a good overall flavour of your destination. To ease the planning burden, you could look into destinations catered to by family activity holiday packages, with tried and tested itineraries. Attractions like zoos and water parks are great choices for everyone in your group to have fun but make an effort to mix in some truly local activities as well, expanding your kids’ horizons while making your journey more enriching. Be sure to give yourself enough time to relax as this will help prevent you from burning yourself out.
Park smart and prepare for the unexpected
Astute preparation for your destination can prevent the panic of being caught without the things you need when you get there. Use rolling techniques to pack clothes efficiently, freeing up room for all the little essentials like medical supplies and chargers (check if you’ll need adapters for them!).
It’s important to have entertainment options for longer journeys – especially because there’s always the risk of delays or disruption to your travel. Make sure to clue up on the latest travel information when it comes to packing liquids or medications too.
