When you consider that the purpose of a family holiday is usually having fun and seeking shelter from the slings and arrows of everyday existence, getting it organised can cause an inordinate amount of anxiety!
And if you’ve been unfairly lumped with the lion’s share of the duties, ensuring that your major annual break is as blissful as possible for all is a heavy burden, with the complexity of the task compounded if your clan covers diverse demographics and tastes.
Choose unwisely and a woeful week or two lies ahead – and you’ll get the blame even though no one stepped up to the plate to help. You might find yourself heartily sick of your regular weeks to the same place so find one of the timeshare exit companies to help you have more choices. However, it doesn’t have to be like that at all, because if you carefully configure your plans, it’s possible to please everyone while, crucially, ensuring that you also get the holiday you so richly deserve.
With that in mind, here are three stress-free holiday planning hacks.
- Choose a staycation
While we’re all attracted to destinations where sun is guaranteed, with perhaps a smattering of sea, sand and sangria thrown in for good measure, the grass isn’t always greener abroad.
The advantages of a staycation are manifest – there’s no need to hassle yourself getting to the airport, it’s unnecessary to pack with military precision because of baggage allowance limits and you don’t need to partially undress to pass through security.
Plus, although the weather isn’t guaranteed, plenty of places in Britain are brilliant for families. For instance, Cornwall’s family attractions include Paradise Park and JungleBarn wildlife sanctuary and the amazing Eden Project, while Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth and National Museum of Scotland are equally awesome too.
- Go all-inclusive abroad
If you do choose to go abroad, by far the most carefree way to proceed is by spending your time at an all-inclusive mountain resort with entertainment.
With flights, airport transfers, accommodation and food all factored into the package, there’s total peace of mind once you’ve paid and no need to worry about budgeting. There are plenty of all-inclusive resorts to choose from, so pick one with the broadest range of amenities for adults and children alike.
For instance, the five star Ritz-Carlton Abama in Tenerife offers babysitting, a beautiful beach, a pool, gym, hire bicycles, bar and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, as well as fab food and drink and much more.
- Perfect your pre-holiday time
To mitigate against the mind-boggling array of things that can go wrong before you escape on holiday, there are a few savvy tricks to try.
If a staycation is your choice, involve your kids in making the decision from the start – that way there’s less chance of anyone throwing a hissy fit halfway down the motorway or being in the doldrums for the duration.
And if you’re venturing abroad, something as simple as travelling to the airport in your own car rather than taking public transport can ensure you’re far more calm and chilled-out. Whether you’re leaving from Belfast or Birmingham, just book parking with the likes of SkyParkSecure.com and Bob’s ‘yer uncle.
Use these three stress-free planning hacks and you’ll be your family’s holiday hero for the next year at least!