How does 1 plan a family holiday?
Strange question I know, but I've never been on a holiday, not even as a child! The most we've done is a day out somewhere. So other then saving up and researching where and what to do, how do you plan a holiday so you don't run into unexpected fees/costs ect.
Any help would be great! Thank you!
Holidays
Holidays
Posted in:
Self Care, Health & Wellbeing, Kids, Money
4 Replies
Always read the fine print. Some will charge for linen use, some will charge a cleaning fee regardless of whether you clean up at the end of your stay, some will charge extra for parking or pay tv etc.
Check the cancellation policy. I never book anything under the presumption of "I can just cancel it", but a venue that has a total or 50% payment fee for cancellations regardless of reason doesn't want my business.
I prefer to call and talk to a person there, go through the inclusions and extras, pay my deposit over the phone and have email confirmation sent outlining what we had discussed, what the cancellation terms are and what payment is required when so I can work out to have it pre-paid.
Don't plan ahead for too many activities. There's nothing worse than getting home and needing a break from your holiday.
Pick your must-dos, have a list of nice-to-tos (with contact ph number, approx costs, opening days/times) and include free things in the area in case the budget looks a bit battered in the last couple of days. Include places to eat (must do, nice to do and budget friendly) and also look at where the nearest supermarket and (if needed) bottleshop are located. We used to hit the supermarket first, but we'd end up over buying because we didn't know what was already at the accommodation. Now we go check it out first, look in the fridge and cupboards (size of what you can fit helps too) then go do the shop.
Take lots of photos, and be in some of them.
We never did holidays as kids either so this is all stuff I've learned on the go. Most of all, don't overschedule you. It's a holiday for everyone. Do a few meals out so you're not doing all the cooking. Buy cereal for breakfasts, bread/rolls for sandwiches at lunchtime for example.
If I'm driving there I look at accommodation first and see what's available. I try and pick something that's close to the centre of the town or whatever it is you want to be close to eg if you're going to see a concert or sports game you might want to pick somewhere close to the venue. Ring the accommodation place to book and ask questions relevant to your family eg. Are there stairs, can we open a window, air con, kitchen, close to playground etc. I find these to be things that aren't really easy to know when booking online as they seem to have a generic description of all similar rooms not individual and they can make a big difference to your stay. Once you have the dates booked it's easy to look at what there is to do, usually the accommodation place can tell you all the tourist things and have a list of things to do on their website, also trip advisor is good too.
Start with a booking over night somewhere a few hours away. Try agoda for hotels and book a night. Just in the car and go have fun! I think you are over thinking everything.
I book cheap flights on jetstar then cheap Acom on agoda. You can also book a holiday package on jetstar where it’s all included. They have a fly free sale coming up soon, if you book in the sale, you get the return flight free and it works out quite cheap. Join their mailing list.
Get someone to help you book maybe. I help a lot of people book holiday. I always holiday. Make sure taxes are always included in your final price and book with free cancellation.
Start by a night away close to home then gradually get bigger ideas and plan. Join some travel pages and ask away.
The best way initially would be to book a package. Or a cruise. You’ll pay more but won’t have the stress of lining up hotels, transfers, travel etc.
Just book a simple flights, hotel and transfers package. Get breakfast included and all good hotels have a tour booking office in reception you just visit on your first day and plan out what you’ll do while there ( get hotel pickups and drop off included).