Planning a family vacation can be difficult; whether you’re traveling with an irritable newborn or an irritable pre-teen, you must strike the right balance of family fun and relaxation. To assist anyone planning a family vacation this summer, we’ve compiled a list of top tips to help you plan the perfect trip.
Make It A Family Choice
Include your children in the planning and decision-making phases, and they will be more excited and attached to the trip from the start. Begin by conducting budget-based research, and then solicit the children’s feedback on your short-listed accommodation or destination options.
Make Sure You Do Your Research
The key to a truly perfect family vacation is to have both happy children and happy parents. You must conduct extensive research into locations that will provide something for everyone, not just one or two people on the trip. Find a happy medium between children’s clubs and activities and relaxing days out and fine dining. Make a careful decision between a longer or shorter destination, and get any necessary vaccinations. You should also look at things such as the best beaches in Italy and how busy an area gets during the summer break.
Be An Admin Pro
Now that you’ve done your homework, you need to make sure you and your family are able to travel. Previously, children were merely added to their mothers’ passports; however, children – even infants – are now required to have their own passports. (If your child’s name is on your passport and he or she is under the age of 16, you should be fine.) Start applying in plenty of time to account for potential delays. While you’re at it, get some good family travel insurance.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
For some parents, just the thought of taking their child to the airport or on an aircraft is enough to keep them in the UK until their child reaches the age of 18. However, as long as you prepare, there is nothing to be afraid of. Pack snacks, toys, and games to keep them occupied until you arrive. Depending on your child’s attention and concentration, you could plan different games every half hour, such as locating ‘landmarks’ such as the correct ticket counter or the first airplane.
Out And About
Traveling abroad may expose children to new dangers, such as a hotter climate, strong tides, and swimming pools. Keep your child hydrated, covered in high factor suncream, and under close supervision when near water. Remember that children, especially young babies, should be kept in the shade whenever possible – don’t cover their cot with a bedsheet to create shade, as this will only make them hot.
Have A Schedule Planned Out
Most parents understand that their children require structure or they will act out. There’s a fine line between being impulsive and having seven days with nothing planned. Try to provide structure for your children by making rough plans for each day. It could be as straightforward as two days at the pool followed by one outing, then repeat – just remember to strike a balance between relaxation and fun for both you and your children.
This short guide should help you when it comes to planning your next family holiday. Although you may not go until next year, now is the perfect time to make those plans. Do you have any other tips that should be included? Please add them to the comments section.