How to choose a family holiday

There’s nothing better than a family holiday. These trips with your nearest and dearest allow you to relax, bond as a family unit and create memories that last a lifetime. However, deciding what type of getaway you want and sorting the logistics that make your dream holiday a reality can be tricky. After all, with so many options, it’s common to feel overwhelmed.

But fear not! Here at Away Holidays, we are family holiday experts. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect family holiday to suit your clan. From selecting a  destination and setting a budget to choosing accommodation and buying insurance, read on for all the help you need when it comes to planning a fantastic family holiday.

Where to go on a family holiday: things to consider

Whether your family is seeking adventure, a relaxing getaway, or something in between, the world is your oyster when it comes to choosing a family holiday destination. However, for many families, this is exactly the issue – how are you expected to organise a perfect holiday when there are so many amazing destinations to choose from? 

To save you time surfing the web and thumbing through travel brochures, it’s a good idea to consider four key things:

• Cost 
• Holiday type
• Accommodation type
• Health and insurance.

In this guide, we run through each of these factors, explaining why they are so important when it comes to planning the perfect family getaway.

Cost – how to budget for a family holiday

Arguably the most important factor of all, budgeting is a crucial aspect of choosing a family holiday. Setting a realistic budget before doing anything else will help to guide the decisions you will need to make on things like destination, accommodation and activities, aligning them with your means.

In order to put a holiday budget together, start by determining your overall spending limit. This should be the absolute maximum you are willing to spend on the getaway. Next, research costs for accommodation, transportation, meals and activities at a number of different destinations. Remember, it might be a good option to look at all-inclusive packages. These resorts can include the cost of your accommodation, food, transfers and certain activities, rather than you having to pay separately for each.

Type of holiday – beach holiday, adventure getaway or theme park vacation?

Once you have settled on a budget, it’s time to decide what type of family holiday you would like to go on. Although this might sound simple, it can be tough to keep all family members happy, especially while sticking to a budget. On top of this, some holidays – such as family trips to US theme parks or African safaris – may be considered ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ getaways. When this is the case, making sure you pick the best time to go – taking into account the needs, wants and ages of all family members is vital. Holidays can be expensive, so getting them right is important.

As a rule of thumb, try to choose a holiday type that best fits the collective interests and ages of your family. For example, if your family is after a relaxing holiday, with lots of sun and the option of water activities, a luxury beach holiday may be your best option. For more adventurous families, an active holiday filled with outdoor activities and wildlife encounters may be a better option. For those with young children or thrill-seeking teenagers, a theme park holiday might represent the ideal family getaway. With endless photo opportunities, world-famous roller coasters and family-friendly arcades, these holidays truly do offer something for every family member. 

Remember – aligning your chosen holiday type with your family’s preferences is the best way to ensure an enjoyable experience that caters to everyone’s tastes. By doing this you can create family memories that last a lifetime.

Accommodation – where do you want to stay?

Your chosen accommodation can make or break a holiday. After all, this will be the place you spend the majority of your time while you’re away. For this reason, putting some time into researching the different types of accommodation you can stay in is well worth it. 

Naturally, when choosing accommodation, it’s vital that you consider the needs and preferences of all family members. For example, if you are looking on behalf of a large family, it might be a good idea to opt for accommodation that offers a good deal of space. This might mean looking at villa rentals or large family suites in hotels rather than regular rooms. Similarly, it’s important to look at the amenities different accommodation types can offer. This is to say, you may want to stay somewhere that has a large pool and facilities aimed at children. On the other hand, if your family is a bit older, you may instead wish to prioritise accommodation types that offer access to high quality bars and restaurants. 

Regardless of the type of holiday you are going on, whether it is a theme park-based holiday in Orlando or a luxury city break in Dubai, location is key. For example, in these two cases, you will likely want to stay in a hotel on or very close to the parks and/or city landmarks. On the other hand, if you are heading on a beach holiday, being close to the sea will clearly be a priority. As touched on above, if budget is a key concern, it is also always worth looking at all-inclusive accommodation options. 

Finally, you will of course want to ensure that your accommodation is safe and clean. With this in mind, checking out online reviews of potential accommodation types is always sensible.

Health, safety and insurance – do you need to schedule vaccinations and book travel insurance?

The final things to consider when booking a family holiday are factors concerning health and insurance. With this in mind, once you have chosen a destination, the first thing you need to do is research whether or not any travel vaccinations are required. If they are, it’s important that you schedule these with your GP well in advance.

The other factor you will need to consider is insurance. Regardless of destination or holiday type, purchasing travel insurance is a good idea. These policies are designed to safeguard you and your family against unexpected events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations and lost belongings. By doing so, they not only provide financial protection, they also provide peace of mind during the trip. Finally, it can also be sensible to familiarise yourself with any essential emergency contacts and important local customs in your chosen destination. This will help to ensure that if the worst was to happen and an emergency occurred, you are as prepared as possible to deal with it.

How to book a family holiday

Choosing a family holiday involves careful consideration of your family’s interests, budget, preferences and safety. By keeping these factors in mind and planning ahead, you can arrange the perfect holiday for you and your family.

Here at Away Holidays, we understand how stressful this process can be. That’s why, when you book with us, we aim to make the experience hassle-free. To get started, simply select the type of holiday and/or location you are thinking about and talk to one of our experienced team today. Once you get the ball rolling, we’ll take care of all the details to ensure you and your family can enjoy the family holiday you have been dreaming of.