Travelling as a family is an exciting experience – one that is often planned, talked about and looked forward to many months before the trip. The planning and preparation is crucial to a successful holiday, as it can be the finer details that make all the difference and ensure that a great time is had by all.
Families are often travelling on a budget, so it’s great to shop for a great deal whilst also ensuring that the selected holiday caters for everyone’s needs – parents as well as children. Many resorts offer ‘kids stay, play and eat free’ packages, which are fantastic value.
When selecting your destination, think about options which will make everyone happy…camping, skiing, resort holidays and holidays that take in trips to theme parks, zoos, museums etc are often very popular.
Ensure your selected locations offer children’s facilities such as ‘kids clubs’, playgrounds, family safe swimming pools and children’s meals options. If parents want to rest and relax, a resort style holiday where there is a kids club can be great as are the wide range of options which cater for families.
If flying for the first time, talk to children about what to expect, order children’s meals and think about taking an activity bag – with items such as playing cards, colouring books/crayons, books, puzzles for younger children and electronics such as Nintendo’s, IPods and portable DVD players for older children.
When planning a driving trip, consider stopping every two hours to allow everyone to stretch their legs and take plenty of snacks and drinks. Activity bags such as the ones for flying are great, but you can also ask the children to help navigate, or play games such as ‘I Spy’ or ‘Spotto’.
When travelling with children, it’s imperative to take a basic First Aid kit and vital to pack hats, sunscreen and insect repellent.
So where to go? My top suggestions would be (in no particular order)
- Shangri-La Fijian Resort, Fiji
- Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, Hong Kong
- Le Meridian Phuket Beach Resort, Thailand
- Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast
- Turtle Beach Resort, Gold Coast
- Radisson Celebration Resort, Orlando (Disneyworld)
- Le Meridian, Vanuatu
- Campervan experience, New Zealand
- Hamilton Island, Whitsundays
- Club Med, Bali
Our family trip to Disneyland Hong Kong has been one of our most memorable family holidays. Disney’s Hollywood Hotel was a fantastic family friendly hotel and there’s so much to do in Hong Kong! Thanks Zoe for organising our trip, it was fantastic!
Thanks Keelee!
Thanks for the great advice Zoe! I will be sure to use it on our Family Vacation to USA this December that you are so wonderfully helping to put together! Sarah.
Thanks Sarah!