Things to consider before planning a family holiday

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Now the weather is cold, wet and miserable, it’s only natural to dream about planning your next family holiday ready for next year. It can give you something to look forward to and getting in there early often means you can save some money and start to get things planned ahead. When it comes to deciding where exactly you should go and what to do, there can be so much on offer that we’re a bit spoilt for choice. Below are some things to consider if you’re thinking of booking your next family trip.

Alternative destinations

Whilst the appeal is to usually go somewhere familiar, family holidays can be a great opportunity for you to try something new and go on an adventure. There are a lot of options when it comes to new destinations and it can be hard to know where to start when choosing somewhere you’ve not travelled before. Start by considering your budget, time available and how long you’re willing to travel. This can help you whittle down your options and give you an idea of the destinations you could go to.

Travel around

We often plan a holiday and stay in the same place for the entire trip. Whilst it might not be possible for you to consider travelling around a little, it is something to consider if you can. You’ll be able to experience and see more and gives your family a feel for exploring. This is a great option if you’d like to mix a city break with a week relaxing somewhere. Italy is known for its easy transport links, making exploring the city such as Venice followed by a few days unwinding by Lake Garda easy. This might be something to consider if you have slightly older family members as they might enjoy the mix of city life with a few days by the lake. If this is something you’d like to plan for, then make sure you have the right travel insurance in place, it will help cover you as you travel around. The last thing you want to worry about whilst travelling is making sure you’re covered for any unplanned events.

Spain is another popular family destination, maybe you could venture away from mainland Spain and explore areas you’ve not seen before – you could try somthing new and venture away from the hotels, there are lots of villas for sale in Marbella, some have been purchased to privately rent out which makes them a great base for family holidays.

The time of year to go

We traditionally think of going on holiday in the warmer summer months, however, it might be better going at other times of the year. Whilst it will depend on school holidays and other commitments, you can often grab some great deals in the October half terms or Easter holidays as some schools run to slightly different term times. It’s always worth checking out what kind of deals you might be able to get, so being flexible as to when you can holiday is a bonus. If you’re used to booking your holiday independently and are happy to book flights and accommodation on your own, then keep an eye out on the flight comparison sites. A few minutes of research can show you when the cheapest time of year to fly will be and what offers you might be able to get for your preferred month.

Explore more of the UK

If you’re not sure of where to go for your next family holiday, why not consider a staycation? With a rise in summer temperatures, it’s more likely that you’ll experience sunshine and warm weather. There are some breath-taking places to visit within the UK, which are all within a few hours of your home. If you want to escape to the beach for a few days, then Norfolk and Cornwall have that covered. If you’d like to explore some historic towns full of character, then Bath and Edinburgh are perfect for a couple of days. There are also some great places for you to take on an activity-filled week, the Peak District and Lake District have so much to do, everyone is bound to want to get involved.