*This is a contributed post. If you are in the process of planning your next family holiday or even your first family holiday then there are many things to consider. Going on holiday as a family should be a wonderful happy time, but many parents tend to overthink and then get stressed. If you try to plan everything in advance then you only have your holiday to look forward to. If you leave things to the last minute then they might not have the chosen destination you want and then you will end up choosing somewhere just for the sake of it if you are new to booking a family holiday or you simply need some refresher tips then take a look at the article below. Here are 9 ways a family holiday can be a complete success.
Destination
Choosing where to go on your family holiday can be a bit of a nightmare. It is bad enough picking a destination before having children but now you have little people to think about as well. You ideally need to go somewhere that is safe and accepting of families and children, if you are ever unsure of an area then definitely do your research. It also depends on the type of holiday you want to go on and where you go. For example, you aren’t going to head to the Caribbean if you enjoy skiing holidays. Don’t be afraid to visit travel agents and ask their advice or pick up a good old-fashioned brochure.
Time Of Year
Certain places will be better at different points throughout the year, for example, if you are going to Florida then you don’t want to go towards the end of the year as that is hurricane season. There is plenty of advice online about destinations and their weather temperatures. This is always best to check, especially when you have children as you don’t want them or yourselves to be too hot and not be able to enjoy your holiday. There is also the risk of sunburn if the weather is unbearably hot. You might also be limited to school holidays to get away, this won’t necessarily limit your choice but it will make it trickier to choose where to go. However, it will give you the choice of winter sun or summer sun which is great.
Budget
Before you do anything you will need to work out your holiday budget. Without this, you won’t be going anywhere as you won’t know whether you can afford it. Your holiday budget should come after all priority bills, so the money you put towards a holiday is the money you have left each week or month. Don’t forget that if you plan your holiday at least one year in advance then you will have at least 10 months to pay for it. Holiday companies typically like your holiday to be paid for in full 60 days before your departure date.
Accommodation
Where are you going to stay? This all depends on the type of holiday you have chosen. If you are booking everything separately then you may have chosen a private villa such as villas in Phuket or an apartment over a hotel. There are many benefits to private accommodation, the main one being you don’t have to share it with strangers. You could also have your own pool that you can use for the duration of your trip. If you have booked a package holiday then you might be staying in a hotel with a shared pool and facilities. This can be great if you have kids and need them to be kept entertained. Hotels will also offer a kids club, usually from ages five and up but it can be lower.
What To Pack
What you pack all comes down to where you are going on holiday. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go as this will give you a better understanding of what you need to take with you. It might be full sun and around thirty degrees so you won’t need any coats or thick jackets. Some places can be really hot during the day and then drop significantly in the evenings, so it might be a good idea to take a cardigan with you. If you have little ones then a blanket to cover them up with while you are out and about would be beneficial. If the forecast is rainy then you could take some wellies with you so you can still go out and explore.
How To Get There
There are many modes of transport available, it all depends on where you are going and how far away it is. If you are going on a staycation then you may not be venturing too far from home. This means you can save money and get a train, bus, or even drive there. Remember to count travel costs when you work out your budget, many people forget to do this. If you are going to a faraway land then the only option might be for you to fly there. Make sure you get to the airport with plenty of time to go through security and do a sneaky bit of shopping duty-free. Another mode of transport is a boat or ferry, this can be useful if you are heading across to Paris to visit Disneyland.
Activities Along The Way
If you want to keep the kids entertained on the way there then the good news is there is plenty for them to do. No matter your transport you can always take stuff for the kids, this could be magazines, tablets, board games, or even some snacks. Pack their things in a rucksack or carry on bag and they will be no bother at all, they may even have a nap for some of the journey. If you are going on a road trip then you could play little made-up games along the way, like spotting different coloured cars for instance.
Sites To See
When you are away on holiday it can be nice to get out of your accommodation and see some of the local sites. This way when people ask what you did, you don’t just say you stayed in your apartment or hotel all day. Different countries will have a variety of things to see, for instance, Cyprus is steeped in history. If you like Greek gods and all things like that then there will be lots to keep you happy and entertained. Places like Florida will have DisneyWorld and Disney Springs so there is something for everyone. It can sometimes be cheaper to work out what you want to do and book it before you go. Something else to be aware of is, if you are staying in a hotel then they will have deals on when you book through them.
Car Hire
If you are staying in a private villa or even a hotel and you want to get out and about then it might be cheaper to look into car hire. Taxis and public transport can soon mount up, especially if there are a few of you using it. Car hire can be cheap when booked in advance, so once you have sorted your dates then look at what cars you might be interested in. Alternatively, you could wait and see what transport is like in your chosen destination. You might decide to rent a car when you are there if the buses aren’t very reliable.
We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you some advice and tips on what you need to do for your next family holiday to be a huge success.
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