I still remember what holidays were like without children. When you could just breeze through automatic passport control gates and choose a hotel based on simply needing a comfortable bed in a great location. They were easy times. Having said that, some of the best travel moments of my life have been shared with my children. Seeing my son’s face light up at the sight of something completely new, or simply being able to lie down while watching him happily play in the sand and sunshine.
Family holidays can be fraught with stress and roadblocks, but preplan the complex equation of requirements – sleep, food, boredom etcetera – strategically, and they can be incredibly rewarding and, dare I say, even enjoyable. Based on my many travels with my young children, as well as expert advice from our team of editors that are parents, these are our golden rules for family travel.
The 6 golden rules of family holidays
Prioritise quality over quantity
It can be tempting to book the later departure flight to maximise your time in a destination, or spend less on a hotel in order to stay longer. In my experience though, the key to an enjoyable family holiday is to focus on quality over quantity. “We recently went on a staycation in Dorset which is a three and a half hour drive from my house,” says Traveller visuals editor Sophie Knight. “My daughter has a 2 hour morning nap between 10-12 which worked out perfectly for the journey there, however it meant coming in the opposite direction, we lost the whole day in Dorset. But weighing up a few extra hours by the sea or a screaming child for three and a half hours was an easy decision.”
Choose your hotel wisely
The number one factor that can make or break a holiday with little ones is the hotel. Some hotels will say they are family friendly purely because they offer interconnecting rooms. And while yes, this is an important option, especially for families with older children, it’s certainly not the only factor when it comes to catering to multi-gen groups. For parents to actually enjoy their holiday, some other important family-friendly requirements to look for include kids’ menus, provided baby equipment, kids’ clubs or play rooms, on-site playgrounds, paddling pools and activities for older children. It’s well worth doing your research in advance and spending on a hotel that can cater for every member of your family. For some of the best addresses, recommended by our team, see our pick of the best family hotels in Europe.
