Family holidays are excellent opportunities to get away for some time and build deeper bonds with your loved ones. According to data from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), families with children aged at least five years old took about 5.6 holidays both in the UK and overseas in 2019. Planning family holidays is typically stressful for many, but you can simplify the task by following some helpful tips. Here are some valuable insights worth knowing to make your next family holiday planning a breeze.
- Have a budget
Budgeting is essential to planning any family holiday since you don’t want to decide on anything far beyond your means. You need enough money to book flights and accommodations, pay for transport, buy food, and handle any other costs you may incur after arriving at your destination. Consequently, figure out how much cash you have available for your dream holiday and how much you may need to save to make it happen. If you want your family to enjoy regular travel, it would be best to leverage a dedicated savings app so you can set money aside towards this goal all year round. However, remember that there are numerous family getaways you can plan for without breaking the bank. Therefore, you can explore ideas like camping in the nearest national park if your budget doesn’t allow for costs like plane tickets and lodging.
- Brainstorm activities
Your family will definitely not want to sit around all day while on holiday. Instead, everyone would want to get out, explore, and have enough adventures that they can look back on as fond memories. Consequently, brainstorm the activities your family will engage in at your destination ahead of time. You can look into great must-see places in your destination and check for fun things to do as well.
For instance, a trip to the museum is a great addition to your itinerary if your destination has one. Similarly, activities like hiking and camping are worth considering if your destination has campsites, national parks, or wilderness areas. However, remember everyone should have an activity they love for it to be the perfect family vacation. As such, it would be best to find the right blend of activities that adults and children would enjoy, so nobody is left feeling grouchy.
- Research accommodations
You will undoubtedly need a place to reside on your next family holiday. This place must be affordable, nice enough, and preferably close to areas you will be visiting. Consequently, do your homework by researching accommodation options in your preferred destination to discover what is available before booking. SiteMinder’s research reveals that two out of three global travellers read travel review websites before booking. Therefore, it would help to also read reviews of your resort, hotel, or campground from other travellers to learn about their experiences and ensure that you make the right final choice. However, you can also stay with relatives or rent a house if possible, so keep these options in mind when planning your accommodation.
- Pick a destination
Your destination can make or break the family holiday experience. Therefore, it is vital to select the perfect destination to ensure that the holiday is memorable for everyone. Everyone would undoubtedly have a long list of places to visit, so it is critical to narrow your options down and select one place. The best way to accomplish this is to ask each family member what they expect from your trip. This way, you can use the similarities in everyone’s answers to pick a compromise destination that everyone would be satisfied with.
- Think about transportation
Your transportation is heavily dependent on where you plan to take your holiday. Flying is perhaps your only option if you plan to go outside the country. As such, it is best to book your tickets in advance to save money if you will be flying to your destination. For this, check all major booking sites for discounts offered based on the time of the year or day of the week. Then, make your reservation immediately after selecting your dates.
On the other hand, you can travel by car, but you will have to determine whether it is worth it before making this decision. For instance, you may be better off taking a flight if the total gas money for the trip is close to or more than the cost of a plane ticket. Also, you will need to consider whether you want to spend days on the road when travelling long distances, potentially increasing your accommodation costs.
Jessica Lippe 