How To Plan The Perfect Family Getaway

Planning a dream holiday with the whole family can feel daunting, but you know it’s worth it. After all, it creates magical memories that will be cherished for life. As per statistics, family travel makes up for 30% of all global outbound leisure travel. So, whether you bring along grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and kids for a blow-out family-reunion style holiday or just parents and kids for summer fun, advanced preparation is key for a smooth ride.   

That said, are you all ready to start planning your family’s dream holiday? Keep reading and uncover best family getaway planning tips to ensure the whole members have a blast and return home packed with lifelong memories.  

Choose the right destination

Selecting the best destination for everyone sets the stage for a memorable family getaway. Ideally, it’s best to poll all the members for suggestions on where to go. You may need to compromise when necessary, so do look for locations that can offer activities to please everyone. 

Be sure to also consider the ages and interests of all your travellers. That way, you can find the best destinations and activities for everyone. Overall, get the whole group involved in suggesting destinations and vote on the winner. 

Make a collaborative itinerary 

Once your destination has been selected, gather to map out an itinerary collaboratively. Make sure to involve everyone - even the kids! Keep in mind that each of you may be motivated to travel for different reasons. According to research, some travellers are motivated to travel for culture exposure or education (26%), others are for health or sports (17%), while the rest are for adventure or escape (15%).  

Instead of just one person selecting experiences, gather must-do suggestions from every group. You can craft a shared online calendar where people can plug in their interests, such as food tours, zip lining, or museum visits. Then, blend daring options for teens with more low-key cuisine classes and winery trips for the older crew.  

Getting buy-in and involvement from young and old via collaborative itinerary planning means you’ll likely have happier campers later. This stage may take more work upfront to finalise a fun-filled agenda crossing generations. But that effort pays off once everyone shares the same excitement for the carefully curated adventures that cater to each family member’s travel dreams. 

Book accommodation wisely 

The right accommodation can make or break your perfect family getaway. You can seek out condos or holiday home rentals with enough bedrooms and bathrooms so each household has privacy. Multigenerational trips also work well at all-inclusive resorts with neighbouring rooms, varied dining options and entertainment for all ages under one roof. No matter your lodging choice, reserve early for group savings and guarantee availability.  

If you’re struggling, you may also tap on the help of travel coordinators. For instance, if you’re planning on visiting Bright, consider working with Bright Holiday accommodation specialists to know your options. 

Set the budget 

It’s recommended to sort out your holiday budget upfront to prevent headaches down the road when it’s time to split the holiday bill. So, have an open discussion about what each family can afford to contribute financially.  

For example, the grandparents may want to treat the family to lodging as their portion so the parents can cover activities and dining out. Also, don’t forget to discuss all expected costs, including flights, rentals, entertainment, food and such, to determine a realistic overall budget. Tally it up openly so no one’s shocked by figures later.  

Pack properly 

Some say that packing is much more stressful than the travel itself, which is why most of you end up over-packing or under-packing for the trip. According to one resource, how much a person packs for a trip has more to do with their previous travel experiences. For instance, some may be more comfortable bringing more than they need, while others prefer to travel around with lightweight cases.   

So, to help you save stress while packing, start by creating a group list noting the must-have items per family member. The list can include things like swimsuits, hiking boots, dress clothes, and other things appropriate for your destination. Then, share it over the group chat weeks pre-travel so each household remembers essentials tailored to the holiday agenda.   

The parents can help kids organise their belongings age-appropriately. Meanwhile, grandparents may appreciate gentle reminders about medications, comfy walking shoes and bringing layers for variable weather. Setting notifications leading up can also help keep all members covered.  

Balance together & apart time 

Though family getaways focus on bonding, also schedule some alone time for each household. On days spent sightseeing, build-in hours when grandparents can relax at cafes while parents take young ones on more active adventures. In the evenings, offer childcare so mum and dad can savour romantic date nights.

Even individual activities like spa sessions, rounds of golf and museum visits can prevent family fatigue. Just communicate daily plans so you know when to meet up for alleged meals and group outings.  

Go with the flow 

Despite meticulous planning, real life means things won’t always go perfectly to schedule on family trips. Young children may get tired or grumpy, jetlagged, and snappy. Unexpected rainstorms might ruin beach days and cause reservation mix-ups.   

As much as possible, pack patience and be willing to rearrange activities if needed. For instance, if the thunderstorm has disrupted your outdoor plans, find ways to entertain each other for a family night-in. Having open discussions to find agreeable solutions will keep your family happily united, even when facing obstacles.  

Wrap up 

Pulling off the perfect family getaway does demand more effort. But the rewards of families bonding while making magical memories at amazing locales make everything worthwhile. So, even when you hit bumps like epic rainstorms or toddler meltdowns, go with the flow with patience and humour. Embrace the unexpected along the way, and you’ll all return home closer than ever before after your global adventure.