Planning where to go on holiday as a family can be a somewhat daunting task. You need to find somewhere that has suitable activities for everyone, somewhere accessible and somewhere with desirable weather! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that I’m hoping to visit Pembrokeshire, Cornwall or France as soon as possible. I’ve made no secret of it on social media that I’m disappointed that I don’t have a holiday booked for this year. However, in the meantime I can simultaneously dream and advise you on what you NEED to consider when planning YOUR family trip!
Travelling
You should consider how you want to travel with your child(ren). Do you want to avoid busy airports, or does the sounds of the experience flying with your child not bother you at all? Perhaps you don’t like the idea of a long drive to your destination?
Whatever your preferred method of travel, you should consider how far you want to go. Whilst some may not be phased by the idea of globetrotting with their child, others may prefer to stay a little closer to home.
You could make a list, or for a more visual representation, draw an outline on a map of where you’re comfortable with travelling.
Destination type
You should consider what kind of person you, (and your family), are. Are you someone who wants to sunbathe on a busy beach, or someone who wants to explore the unbeaten path? Do you want to ski, or would you prefer a city break? Again, you may wish to consider how suitable these kinds of holidays would be for your children, depending on their age and personality.
Activities
Once you’ve worked out the above, the next thing to consider is activities. Do some research on what there is to do in the areas you’re considering visiting. Think about your family’s interests. For example, you may be interested in good wine produced locally, or historical buildings. If there are not many activities that would keep your child(ren) entertained, then you may want to cross it off of your list. One of the worst things on holiday surely must be bored and miserable kids! Of course, if they’re a baby, it’s a little easier in many respects!
Weather
Weather can differ depending on the time of the year. As such, if you’re going abroad, it would be a good idea to research what the weather is likely to be like at the time of your visit. It’s really not ideal to travel for a ski trip, only to find out that it isn’t skiing season when you get there!
You may wish to avoid extra hot spells with children and destinations at times that there is a high risk of severe weather conditions, such as hurricanes.
Where should you stay?
Do you and your family enjoy camping, or is there at least one of you that shudders at the thought? Look at what is available in your price range. A hotel or holiday home/villa may be a much more comfortable option! After all, those little eyes are going to need to get a good rest after each exciting day! Also, if you have babies or toddlers, you may find the holiday much easier with all the facilities that they offer.
My dream holiday
Of course, I’ve been planning out where I’d like to go in my head the whole time I’ve been writing it.
For me, it would be a combination of the car and ferry to travel to the South of France. We’d spend the week on one of the beautiful beaches, trying the local cuisine and exploring the unbeaten path. July is on average the hottest month, so we’d probably go somewhere between June and August to take advantage of the good weather. As for where we’d stay, it would have to be a peaceful cottage like this one. We could come and go as we pleased and if Autumn was older, she would have great fun playing there!
So what’s yours?
I’d love to hear where you’d like to go. If you’re feeling inspired to book a family-friendly holiday or villa in France, be sure to take a look at Tots to Travel!
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post with Tots to Travel, for which I have received compensation. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
When the girls were little I’d take them anywhere, anyhow; I actually think about it more now because at 14 years and 11 years, I have to a)make sure there is Wifi b)make sure we can actually carry all the flaming luggage because girls take loads of luggage c)double check there’s Wifi. Hope you get something booked soon #ThatFridayLinky xL
Family trips can be hard to arrange can’t they. We usually stick for a two hour flight or short drive and somewhere with a beach and pool! Thanks for linking up to #ThatFridayLinky
We went to Iceland in February and it was very family friendly! The plane journey isn’t too long, the activities are all very child-friendly and there’s ample space for children to run around. I’d highly recommend it 🙂 #ThatFridayLinky
Oops, at first I thought you meant the supermarket! You can tell I’m tired!
It sounds great 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
It so difficult deciding especially with little ones we are going to Disneyland this year hoping it’s the right choice we shall see Thanks for linking to the #THAT FRIDAY LINKY come back next week please
Holidays change so much when you have children don’t they? There’s so much more to think about! #fortheloveofBLOG
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Definitely, we went away for a couple of days recently. We had to pack more than we’d pack for ourselves in a week!
Mine is always visiting a national park – it’s my mission to visit them all. #fortheloveofBLOG
That sounds great! I’ve always loved the look of Yosemite.
There are some great tips here for planning the perfect family trip. It’s such a difficult decision, and one that needs lots of planning, but you’ve got everything covered. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x P.S Fab new header image BTW
Thanks, it certainly is a military operation once you have children in tow!
Thank you! 🙂
Hoping to head off on a road trip which takes the edge off planning and being too organised! I love your tip for researching carefully the activities to do in the place you’re going to. I think this is so important to make sure kids get the most out of it, with some unplanned time too to balance.
Great suggestions here. Planning is the key to all great family outings.
Definitely, I don’t know where I’d be without a huge list to plan everything before heading off somewhere!
Travelling is such a fantastic education and even better with loved ones. I think your top tip for knowing you and your travel companions well is a great one for travel. My hubby and I are not ones for sticking to a beach while other members of our family are. #TotsTravel
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