How to have a Successful (big) Family Holiday

I’ve just booked a last minute long weekend in Prague’ a single friend of mine recently told me. ‘Lucky you’ was my response, and I meant it! Last minute getaways are a thing of the past when you have a handful of kids to look after, a pet who needs to be cared for and not to mention the work schedules of you and your partner and the school timetable to contend with! Maybe quick breaks away are more or less a thing of the past for me but a family holiday can be such a fantastic experience (whatever the size of the family!) and with some good planning you may end up creating memories that every family member with treasure forever. Here are some tips on how to ensure a family holiday as stress free as possible.

1. Bring along movies

After a long day spent walking, swimming, or visiting the holiday destination, there won’t be much on your children’s minds other than perhaps dinner, and then rushing into the hotel room, and throwing themselves on the bed to relax. Winding down after a busy day is important for everybody. A great way to allow your kids the relaxing moment, (and you and your partner especially) is bringing along a few movies to watch in the hotel room. Have your children pick a few movies to bring along, call the hotel ahead of time to check if there is a dvd player, and you’re set to go- or just be sure to download something to watch on your tablet before you go. While the kids are watching, you and your partner can be watching with them, or relaxing with a nice glass of wine, a book, or simply enjoying each other’s company. Everybody’s happy!

2. Bringing pets along

When going on holiday, it’s normal for you to want every member of the family along with you, including those of the animal variety! It’s not as impossible as you might think. Using a reliable company who specializes in how to transport animals in Europe means you can have your dog with you on holiday! After all, you’re most likely going to spend a lot of time at the beach, and have you ever seen a happier dog than one running across the sand? Remember though that it’s vital for you to check that the accommodation is pet friendly, and that there are pet friendly places to go during the trip.

3. Luggage (Do you really need that many pairs of trousers?)

I know it’s tempting to bring along everything from home when you’re packing for your holiday, but please refrain yourself! Keep in mind that you will have to keep track of your surroundings, children, possibly a pet while you travel, so the less luggage you bring with you, the more free your hands will be. And other than the number of cases, keep an eye on the weight too. I would highly recommend you weigh them at home before, in order to avoid any inconveniences at the airport. Pack light, smart, and try and fit hand luggage into backpacks (the kids can each have their own small backpack too). Try to figure out what you’ll be wearing most of the days. This will mean checking the local weather forecasts (and preparing for a sudden change as we all know how reliable they can be!)

4. Get your documents right

Before you travel, make sure everybody’s documents are in order. Check and double-check that your travelling will go smoothly, and allow you to avoid the stressful moments that are easily born during the travel. Check that your luggage is included, the expiration date of your passport is still far off, and that the information is correctly listed. If you have to get first-time passports, start moving on that a few months in advance, there’s no telling how fast you’ll get them, so better safe than sorry!

5. Travel with friends

A fun idea for your holiday can be travelling with friends. Whether these friends have children or not, having a familiar face along with you can definitely improve your holiday. And by friends, I don’t only mean grown-up friends, but even one of your children’s friends! Having a buddy come along for your child to play with, means that they will most likely be playing together most of the time, minimizing the possible stress that a bored child can bring on.

6. Bring that camera!

One of the best things to bring along on holiday is your camera to take some really great family photos. Capturing moments at the beach, dinner table, on the plane, in the hotel room, or pretty much everywhere is truly priceless. The pictures you take will have you laughing hard when you look back on them 10 years down the line, and definitely remind you of the little details that you might forget; like that funny sunburn you got on your first beach day there. Remember to bring along its charger and extra memory cards in case you need the space for more photos! Although everyone’s phone tends to have a camera these days, why not get a couple of disposables too, that way you’ll only see the pictures once they’re developed back at home meaning no arguments over which photos to keep or delete.