Family holidays are some of the best trips and some of the most tiring to plan. Everyone wants something different, and somebody always needs a snack at exactly the wrong moment. A little planning takes a lot of the stress away, and here is what I think about when I plan one.
It starts with the resort. Look beyond the pool photos and ask about kids clubs and their age ranges, family rooms or interconnecting rooms, children's menus and shallow pools. Children's facilities often start at a certain age, so check that they suit yours before you fall in love with a place.
Next come the flights. Long journeys are easier when the timing fits your children's sleep, and direct flights, or connections with enough time between them, make a big difference. Seat reservations are worth arranging so that your family sits together.
Meals are the next thing to think about. An all inclusive stay can simplify things a great deal, because when meals, snacks and drinks are covered there is no daily math's and no hungry child waiting for a table. It is not right for every family, so I always ensure that we make the right choice to suit the family.
Then there is the pace. You do not need to see everything. One planned activity a day, with time left over for the pool and the beach, usually makes a happier holiday for everyone, and it helps to build in a rest day before the flight home.
On travel days, your hand luggage does a lot of the work. Pack snacks, water bottles and a few new small toys, a change of clothes for the children and one for you, chargers, headphones and downloaded shows, and any medication along with copies of important documents.
It also helps to let the children be part of it. Show them the resort and the island before you go, because children who know what to expect usually travel better. And travel insurance for the whole family is worth having, so ask me about it when we plan your trip.
If you are planning a family holiday, send me a message through the contact page with who is travelling, their ages and your dates, and I will put together options that suit everyone.
