Mia
Each year, millions of us whisk our loved ones off for a much-needed holiday. Whether you pick a staycation or venture overseas, there’s nothing that beats taking the kids away and getting to spend some quality time together.
If you’re itching to get away soon, it’s time to get organised. Wherever you head to on holiday, it’s important to allocate plenty of time to plan, prepare and book your trip. Doing so can help you save lots of money, not to mention a ton of stress. Here are some steps to take so you have every base covered.
Pick the Right Destination
Now you’re in family holiday planning mode, the most important thing of all is picking the right destination for you and your loved ones. Certain factors will determine the best hotspot. These include the age of your kids, how far you want to travel, and the activities on offer.
Of course, safety and security will be your number one priority. It’s wise to pick family-friendly locations as there will be amenities available such as a kids club, which means you can send your little ones off for the day knowing they’re well looked after. This also gives you some time to relax and make the most of the sunshine! Sit down with your partner and whittle down the list. You may need to compromise to keep everyone happy.
Establish a Budget
Once you’ve sought out a destination for your family holiday, one question will be ringing in your ear – how will you afford it? Now is the time to draw up a budget so you can be confident you’ve got the funds for your adventure away. It’s important to get your finances in order, otherwise, you could end up spending beyond your means and getting yourself into debt.
When establishing a budget, you need to think about a variety of things. This not only includes the price of the flights and accommodation but spending money too. Take a look at your monthly income and outgoings. Once you do this, you’ll find it easier to work out a budget for your family holiday.
Start Saving Up
If you’re not going away for a little while, you’ll have some time to start saving up for your family trip. There are some tips that can help ensure you’ve got spending money and emergency funds ready for your holiday. Firstly, treat saving in the same way you would with paying a bill. This can help you to commit to saving a regular amount of money each week or month. It’s always best to commit to a small, manageable sum, rather than set unrealistic goals.
Some families may benefit from taking out a short-term loan to foot the bill for the holiday. Take Sunny for instance. They can help you find a short-term loan that can give you the money upfront to pay off the holiday and plenty of time to pay the balance before you jet off into the skies. Ensure you read all the terms and conditions and know what you’re signing up for.
Check Passports
Above anything else, make sure you check your passports well in advance of your family holiday. No one wants to book a holiday, get excited counting the days to find your passport isn’t in date! Should you leave this till the last minute, you may not even have time to get your passport sorted.
Checking everyone’s passports to ensure they’re valid is a must. If it’s your first time going abroad, you will need to apply for a passport. Those who need to renew their passport can do so at selected locations across the UK. Many countries will not only allow you in if your passport has less than 6 months of validity left, so it’s important to bear this in mind and double-check before booking your holiday.
Choose Flights
If you’re looking to go somewhere hot and sunny for your family holiday, the chances are you’ll need to hop on a plane and venture overseas. We all know how unpredictable the British weather can be after all! When choosing flights, there are certain factors that can affect the price. This includes the time of day you fly and what season you fly. For instance, if you’re looking to go in the school summer holidays, you can’t be too surprised at how expensive flights are! Companies ramp up the prices to take advantage of families wanting to get away for some sunshine. If you can, it’s always best to pick flights in off-peak season.
Also, don’t just settle on the first flights you see. If you’re a little alarmed by the price, why not use a platform like Skyscanner to compare flight prices? Doing this could potentially shave hundreds of pounds off your trip. If you’ve got young kids, the idea of taking them on an early morning or late evening flight may fill you with dread, especially if they’re cranky and known for their tantrums! For that reason, it may be best to book an afternoon flight so you know they’ll be in good spirits and not cause you tons of stress!
Find Accommodation
Once you’ve got your flights sorted, it’s time to look for accommodation for your family holiday. While many of us see the hotel room as a place to lay our heads for the night, you’ll still want to make sure you’ve got accommodation that’s clean, comfortable, and suitable for all age groups. The best place to start is by checking out customer ratings and reviews. This will give you a better idea of whether the accommodation is suited to you and your family’s needs.
If you’re going to a popular holiday destination, you will be inundated with choices. There will be plenty of hotels to pick from, so take your time making your final decision. Like with flights, you can use comparison websites which could see you save money on your accommodation. You also need to decide whether you want to go self-catering, half board, or all inclusive. The choice is up to you.
Look for Activities
Keeping your kids entertained at home is one thing. Taking them on holiday and preventing boredom is a whole other story! However long you’re going away for, you’ll want to pick a destination where there are plenty of child-friendly activities so your kids have plenty of things to keep them entertained.
If you’re going on a beach family holiday, you can take your brood to the coast and enjoy plenty of time by the sea. There may be theme parks and other exciting days out you can go on that are perfect for all the family. Take a look at the top attractions in the area. This can help you draw up a loose itinerary for your trip.
Going on a family holiday should be something to get excited about, not fear! To ensure everything runs smoothly and you arrive home with a smile on your face, rather than a look of exhaustion, preparation is key. Once you take all the steps above, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is having the best time possible with your loved ones.
