Family Holidays

Family holidays - get it right to have a superb break

Travelling on holiday with the family should be one of the highlights of your year, yet so many people come back from their trips vowing never to attempt it again.

How can you ensure that you have a holiday to remember and not a holiday from hell?

Those who get the family holiday right have an absolutely superb time, with a break that is stacked full of great memories, laughter and good times. Follow our tips and advice below to make sure that your holiday is a good one.

It all starts in the planning

Before you even attempt to find the right destination, accommodation or flight, start by understanding what you all need from a holiday.

1.Make a list of the things each person in your family needs, from a sandy beach to some good food, shade from the sun to watersports.  Do you want a rest or are you looking for something educational or maybe physically challenging?

2.Rate what the must haves are and what you can do without if push comes to shove.

3.Decide how long you want to be away for.

4.What length of journey can you cope with? This can vary dramatically depending on the ages of children and your ability to tolerate tiredness and time differences.

5.Do you have concerns around health and safety for your children and would you need to take special precautions for your favoured destinations?

6.When are you looking to go away? What will the weather be like at that time of year for the destinations you may be considering.

It's important to chat all of these things through with your family and to give them a chance to offer their opinions. If you are all agreed on what makes a good holiday from the start, then you stand a better chance of booking something that will suit you all.


Get researching

Time spent researching will pay dividends when you actually travel. After all, most families don't want nasty surprises when they arrive as for most people this will ruin their holiday rather than enhance the experience.

Start with the internet. Browse websites for help and advice on destinations that are great for kids and the types of holiday you may go for. www.travelsupermarket.com

Speak to your local travel agent for help and advice. They will be able to recommend companies and products that are good for your needs.

Chat to friends at the school gates, family at gatherings and use Facebook and other social media to ask for ideas. Sites like mumsnet run forums where you can post general questions or read the advice of others. You can also post any questions on our travel forum.

Look at guide books and brochures

There are lots of holiday types available. What is going to be right for you?  Here are some of the more popular options:

All-inclusive resort complexes - helps keep holiday costs in check as you don't need to budget for many extras.

Self-catering apartments - allow you to keep the costs of eating out down and give you flexibility.

Villas - a superb option for larger families and groups combining the best of self catering with your very own holiday home and pool.

Activity resorts - hotel complexes with loads of sports and family activities laid on such as Mark Warner, Neilson and Club Med.

Holiday parks - whether you want upmarket Center Parcs, good old Butlins or Pontins or even value-lead Haven and Parkdean, the UK has a full range of holiday parks to choose from.

Cottages and gites -pick a cottage or gite in the UK and France to give your own home from home

By now you should start having some clear ideas of where you want to go and the type of holiday you need. It's now a good time to sense check against your original holiday needs.

1.Will there be enough for the kids to do or other children to play with?

2.Is there are a safe beach or pool? Children love water.

3.Can you get food that the children will actually eat?

4.Check the temperatures and weather at the time of year you want to travel.

5.What kinds of things can you do in the holiday destination you are looking at?

6.Does you chosen holiday have things like kids clubs, cots for babies, fridges in hotel bedrooms and buggy rental?

Popular family destinations

Picking somewhere to go is obviously personal to you. While one family may be happy in Menorca on its gorgeous sandy beaches, others may opt for an adventure in South Africa. However, there are a range of tried and trusted destinations that keep families coming back year after year.

Spanish mainland - the Spanish Costas are totally geared up for families, so wherever you choose to go you will find something that suits. The warm Mediterranean waters, theme parks and lots of entertainment keep British families coming back year after year.

Spanish islands - whether you choose any of the Balearics or the big four in the Canaries (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura or Gran Canaria), you will find family-friendly resorts galore

The Algarve - Portugal's southern coast is packed full of villas and resorts along the excellent sand beaches. Just beware the safety of the Atlantic sea.

Greek islands - the simple life and a great attitude towards children endear the Greeks to Brits. Pick your island carefully though - many islands have shingle beaches which are not always family friendly.

France - with Gites, holiday parks, camping and a full range of hotel options, France offers a huge range of family friendly options. Great beaches, the big outdoors, a range of temperatures and easy travelling.

Florida - THE most entertaining destination for families with theme parks and entertainment galore, plus excellent beaches and an exciting feel for all families.

The UK - many great family holidays are found here in the UK, from our traditional seaside resorts to breaks on the beautiful coast and countryside of the country. We may not have the weather, but we do have plenty for families to do.

It's time to book

When you have settled on your holiday choice, it's time to secure the deal. Follow our tips below to save money.

1.Compare prices. www.travelsupermarket.com/

2.Is it a better deal to buy a package holiday or to DIY with separate flights, accommodation and maybe car hire?

3.Check prices online using price comparison and also get quotes from your travel agent to ensure you are getting a good deal.

4.Many companies will allow you to pay a deposit with the balance - normally paid around 12 weeks before you go.  Look out for deals on both deposits and balance payments.

And when you book, follow our three golden rules:

1. Book an ATOL or a financially backed holiday. Check that your holiday has financial protection in case of company collapse. 2. Pay by credit card or use a Visa or Mastercard backed debit card, never cash, bank transfer or cheque. This gives you additional financial cover.
3. Buy a travel insurance policy on the day you make the booking that includes End Supplier Failure. You will have cancellation cover from day one as well as additional protection for your holiday money.
Start saving and preparing for the big day now. Print out holiday pictures of where you are going for the family and stick them up somewhere in the house. It's a great way of looking forward to where you are going.

Preparing for the big trip

The period between booking your trip and actually going away may feel like a long time. However, weeks and months will pass very quickly so it really pays to start preparing early for your departure.

Follow our tips on what to do to get organised.

Documents - check that passports are in date and whether you need any visas  for your travel. Do this as soon as you have booked. Leave copies of passports at home with relatives. If you need to drive, check your licences and whether you need an International Driving Licence (necessary for many non EU destinations).

Insurance - take insurance out as soon as you have booked and keep a note of your policy and emergency number on your mobile phone as well as  at home with your relatives. And check that your EHIC card is in date.

Planning to drive while away?  Car hire is generally cheaper here in the UK, so pre-book the car. Ensure you pick one with enough room for you, the family and your luggage. If you need child seats or baby seats, pre-book them or take your own with you.

Tickets and vouchers - get these ready for everything you need and keep them in one place. Read all of the documents before you go so you understand times of check ins, flights etc.  If in doubt, then check them out.

Know your baggage limits - allowances for both hold and cabin baggage when flying can vary dramatically from airline to airline. Check the allowance on your booking and if you are going to need more than the standard, pre-book any extra online to save money. Remember that most infants under the age of two have no allowance at all so check this carefully.

Organise your extras - airport parking should be pre-booked and many families find staying overnight at an airport hotel an easier way to cope with early morning starts. Combined parking and hotel deals are the best value.  If you need airport transfers in resort, get them booked too.

Sort out your holiday spends - currency bought online is generally the best value, other than selected specialist outlets. Organise pre-paid cards online and understand the charges on your own debit and credit cards. The latter can be eye watering, so it may pay to apply for a market-leading credit card designed for overseas usage.

And, of course, you need to pack carefully too.  Here are our packing tips for families:

• 1. Make a list several weeks in advance of all items you need to buy. Think about clothing, sun hats and beach shoes; sun creams, lip protector and after sun; a medical kit for scrapes and bites, wet wipes, plug adaptors, a bath plug, cameras... you get the idea. You can keep adding to the list as you think of things and cross them off as you organise.
  
• 2. Sort out your hold luggage and get bags with wheels where possible as they are easier. Check the maximum sizes and weights for your chosen airline. And ensure that everything in your hand luggage complies with what you can take into the cabin.
  
• 3. Start buying items and placing them in your luggage ahead of the packing day so it's not a huge last-minute rush.
  
• 4. When packing, split clothing and items across the luggage so that, if a bag goes missing, you still have clothes etc.
  
• 5. In your hand luggage, pack a change of clothes for the kids and yourself, plus all those essentials such as wet wipes, nappies, any medication, travel medicines, baby food etc as well as all of your documents. The liquid regulations mean no liquids over 100ml are allowed except for baby food and milk.  Get all of this organised before you arrive at the airport
  
• 6. Ensure you pack things to entertain the children on the flight. They can have their own bag with books, hand-held games, paper, music and pens for example. And a great tip is to pack a treat for each of the kids and some travel sweets for when you need to resort to bribery.Trunkies are fun for kids too.

Travelling with children: getting there

You've done all of the hard work booking and planning your family holiday, and now is the time to relax. Follow our advice below to make sure that travelling to and from your destination is as stress free as the time away itself.

Many parents are filled with dread at the prospect of being stuck in an airport for hours with an easily-bored child, or being the mother or father of the energetic toddler constantly kicking the seat in front on a plane. However, going to the airport and flying can be very exciting for children and, with a little preparation, needn't be stressful for parents.

Make sure that you allow extra time to travel to the airport itself - you don't want to start the whole journey off running late.

When booking airport parking, consider using the airport's meet and greet service. It will allow you to drive right up to the terminal building where a member of the meet and greet team will be waiting to park your car. When you return, you will be able to present your ticket/receipt in the meet and greet office to get your car back. This will not only save you time but it will also prevent you having to park a long distance away from the terminal building and having to carry pushchairs, bags and children all the way there.

Be prepared for things to go wrong whether it is a delayed flight, a tantrum or food spilt down your child's travelling outfit. And, if they do, try not to get stressed as your child will pick up on it and will be anxious too.

If you have a young child, make sure you are prepared to travel through the airport carrying them as well as any hand luggage you have. A sling may be a good option for babies whereas reins will allow energetic toddlers to walk on their own without being able to wander off. If you plan on taking your pushchair through the airport, confirm with your airline when you need to check it in and what the procedure is for putting it on to the plane.

Look at the airport's website before you travel to find children's play areas and family-friendly restaurants. This will save time when looking for somewhere to eat and, if your plane is unexpectedly delayed, you will know where to take your children to keep them entertained.

Make the airport an adventure for children by writing a list of things for your children to spot and tick off. Have a look on the airport's website for inspiration before you set off. Manchester Airport, for example, have a fun activity pack on their website guiding children through the whole process from arrival to the departure gate with a list of things to look out for.

You are allowed to pack enough baby milk or food for your child in your hand luggage - although you may be asked to try some to prove what it is at security. Another option is to pre-order cartons of baby milk or other travel essentials - such as nappies - from a pharmacy in the departure lounge.

Getting on to the flight

Before you travel, check what your airline's policy is on family boarding. Some airlines will seat parents with young children before the rest of the flight so you can get a seat together and there is no need to pay for priority boarding. However, not all do. British Airways offer a family check-in service that allows families to check in (up to six people) 24 hours before your flight, choose your seats and to print your boarding passes out.

If you have a small child, it is a good idea to change their nappy just before you board the plane - especially on short-haul flights.

Bottle feed your baby during take-off and landing to prevent the discomfort caused by changes in the cabin pressure from affecting them. This may also help your child to drop off to sleep.

Make sure that older children drink plenty of water during the flight to prevent possible dehydration and grumpiness.

If you are travelling with a toddler and they have their own seat booked, check whether the airline provides a booster seat for them. Some airlines such as Virgin do (as well as activity packs and complimentary nappies) while others such as easyJet ask you to take your own.

Have a familiar toy packed for babies to keep them entertained on a flight. It may also be worth packing a new, surprise toy to distract them on a longer flight.

Activity books, magazines, travel games and hand-held devices are all good things to pack to keep older children entertained on a flight. And, don't forget the old favourites such as I spy and word association games.

If you need help with anything - for example, child seat belts, baby food or a bottle warming up or a blanket - ask the flight attendants.

How to keep holidays running smoothly

Once you have arrived in your holiday destination, there are a number of things that you can do to ensure your break goes well.

Here are our tips on making the most of your destination:

Research the resort area before you go using guide books as well as the internet. On arrival it's often well worth visiting the local tourist information office for leaflets on what to do and where to go as well as local maps.

Plan out your break to ensure that you fit in the things you want to do, but leave plenty of leeway. Your holiday should have some organisation but not be too regimented so that you can allow give and take in what you do and when. This will ensure you don't miss out on anything and keeps everyone happy.

Eat at regular times to keep the family on track and always ensure you have snacks and drinks to maintain energy and hydration levels, especially with the children. And avoid upset tummies by eating carefully and having some medication on hand in case of problems.

Watch the sun. It's easy to burn so ensure you keep an eye on how long your family is in the sun. It's a good idea to keep them out of the sun from late morning to early afternoon and to apply plenty of sun cream. Consider buying special play suits that have UV filters to protect the skin, especially when they are playing in the pool for hours on end.  Sunstroke is something you really want to avoid.

Have a back-up plan ready for any day when the weather is not up to scratch. You don't want children exclaiming they are bored, so either have an activity or day out as a reserve, or have plenty of fun games to play.

Watch out for bugs and beasties. Some destinations require jabs ahead of when you travel, however most European resorts require nothing more than tetanus. Insect bites are the most obvious, so have bite cream and plasters handy as well as tweezers, antiseptic wipes and lotions. And, of course, wet wipes and a lollipop to distract kids while you tend to any wounds.

Going out for the evening to eat? Keeping kids entertained is important and often they may be tired if you go out late. So think about late-afternoon naps for little ones and activities to keep them amused at the dinner table.

Agree rules for the family such as where the children are at any one time, and where they are allowed to go on their own. You need to allow them freedom to explore and have fun, but also to keep them safe and protected. Kids' clubs are great to help with this. They also need to know about crossing roads (when the traffic is on the other side of the road to home) and how to be safe in the sea, in pools and on kids' play equipment.

Let your kids have some spending money to enjoy. This will help them to learn about money, maths and budgeting as well as giving them the chance to speak to people in shops and on market stalls.

Travelling while pregnant

Many women worry about travelling while pregnant, but it is not harmful to mother or baby to fly as long as you follow some precautions. Read our advice below.

Women can travel while pregnant but often choose not to during the first the trimester (one-12 weeks) as there is a greater risk of a miscarriage and symptoms such as morning sickness are at their worst.

Most airlines will allow women to travel up to 28 weeks into their pregnancy without a doctor's note. However, check your airline's terms and conditions before you book as there are some surprising differences. American carriers tend to be the ones that let you fly late into pregnancy.

If you need a doctor's note confirming details such as the expected date of delivery, check whether your midwife can sign it as an alternative - this could save you time and could be something you ask the midwife to do after a regular check-up.

Even if your airline is happy for you to travel, check any restrictions in a policy before you take out travel insurance. Again, all insurers are slightly different so make sure you read the fine print. For example, Delta doesn't place any restrictions on pregnant women who wish to fly but, if you chose to travel at a very late stage in pregnancy and anything were to go wrong, it is unlikely you would be covered.

Some travel insurance providers will not let you cancel a holiday and claim your money back if you find out that you are pregnant after booking but before you travel. So, before you change your plans, check your policy.

It may sound obvious but remember to check that your terms and conditions allow you to travel on both your outward and inward journey - for example, if you left the country when 27 weeks' pregnant and returned at 29 weeks, your insurance may not be valid and you may require a doctor's note.

Pay particular attention to the general rules of flying such as drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration and moving around the aircraft when possible to stretch your legs.

You should also adjust your seatbelt so that it sits just beneath the bump when flying.

Finally, there is a small risk of pregnant women developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when travelling on a long-distance flight. Ways to minimise the chance of this include doing calf exercises during the flight, wearing compression stockings, drinking plenty of water and wearing loose-fitting clothing.

As you are at a greater risk of needing medical attention when you are pregnant, it would be useful to take copies of any medical documents that you have with you on your trip.

If you are travelling to a European country, make sure that you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as it will cover routine maternity care as well as the cost of any medical treatment for mother and baby if a birth were to happen unexpectedly. However, there are variations depending on the country you are travelling to, so make sure you check the regulations in the country you are travelling to.

When you are abroad, think about what you are eating and drinking to avoid stomach upsets.

New mothers have to wait between two and 10 days before they fly depending on the delivery method and the airline's terms and conditions.

Europe's favourite family destinations

Whether you're trying to keep rampaging toddlers under control or attempting to satisfy incumbent surly teens, family holidays can be a tricky, and sometimes expensive, venture. But picking the ideal location, suitable to a variety of childish tastes, a perfect, stress free holiday experience that everyone will enjoy can be achieved.

Spain

A favourite with family vacationers for decades now, there is more to Spain than the tourist strewn Costa's. Northern Spain, in areas such as Cantabria and Galicia offers far more quiet beaches, beautiful landscapes, amazing wildlife and a ton of family friendly activities such as horse riding and walking tours. If you fancy being a little more activite, head to the glorious Picos de Europa mountain range for a family activity holiday incorporating mountain biking, canoeing, climbing and much more. A good night's sleep is guaranteed. Or for something completely different, how about a donkey guided tour through the stunning Castile region of central Spain, where the only problem will be wanting to cram your beloved four-legged companion into your suitcase to take home.

France

Brittany has a huge number of fun things to keep frisky kids distracted. Les Balneides is both a go-kart and water-park, while Cobac Park features a whole host of thrilling rides. The region also has zoos, aquariums and beach clubs to keep the nippers busy. If you are feeling a little more sedate, then head into Southern Normandy and rent your very own family-sized treehouse in the idyllic La Renardière garden. And let's not overlook the obvious. Paris may be thought of as the capital of love and art, but kids can have fun there too. Don't forget Disneyland Paris is right on the doorstep.

Great Britain

If you have a nature- loving nipper cluttering up the house, then a farm-based vacation in the Devon, Cornwall or Somerset countryside might be perfect for them. As well as revelling in the glorious rolling hills of England, you get to bottle feed lambs, milk cows and groom horses. Want something to satisfy everyone? Head to Edinburgh for the month long summer festival, with music, traditional dancing, comedy, film, theatre and much more. Plus the magnificent castle is there all the year around. And camping doesn't have to be a soggy fortnight under damp canvas in a field. Try a spot of 'glamping' or camping with a few luxurious touches. Haven have camping sites all around the UK and offer accommodation in yurts or luxury safari tents.

Croatia

With its stunning stretches of coastline and incredible history, Croatia has undergone a vacation transformation in recent years. And with its many islands and resorts, you can find something to satisfy even the most truculent teen. Have a hankering for some adventure? Try a white water rafting and canoeing holiday on the Cetina River, with a cycle through the Croatian countryside and a day in Split thrown in. The newly renovated Hotel Vespera on the island of Losinj sits right on serene blue-green ocean and offers a variety of water based attractions for the little ones plus babysitting facilities and playgrounds. Or if you want to throw a little education into the mix, travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Trogir, a historic 'museum' city with masses of historical sites and cultural delights.

Italy

If you've just had your wee one and you're already in need of a break, how about a Tuscan yoga retreat, with the focus on fitness and relaxation. They'll even look after the baby while you try a spot of Pilates. If you are in the mood to splash out and possibly engage in a spot of people watching, one of the top celebrity family locations is the Forte Village in stunning Sardinia. This five-star resort offers the best of everything, but be warned. It ain't cheap. Slightly more manageable financially and perfect for those fantasising about the cowboy life is the Umbrian La Casella Hotel, featuring a variety of equestrian activities, plus swimming, archery and even a beauty parlour to keep the parental units happy.

About the Author: Dale Shaw currently writes for Wish UK who provide a range of exciting and unique gifts including pamper days, flying lessons and day experiences.