Travel | What to consider before booking a family holiday

After all of the recent downpours, a holiday in the sun is what many families are craving. But before you pay out your hard earned cash, families are being encouraged to do a little homework beforehand.

Spain. Portugal. South of France. Italy. Florida. There are so many places that we would love to escape to, especially in light of our weather in recent months.

To overcome the blues, everyone is planning and booking their big family holiday. But before you make a quick online booking, you need to ensure everything is suitable for your family and is just as you expect it to be.

Naturally, the first factor you should consider is destination. If you have small children, do you really want to endure a seven-hour round trip with stopovers to a Caribbean island? The flights to the Canary Island, for example, can be around four hours. Are your destinations also family-friendly? Paris may be the most romantic city in the world but it is not exactly the best for running around with a brood.

While everyone may be in holiday mood while abroad, if you are all living on top of each other in a small apartment for the stay things can quickly turn sour. Always check the correct occupancy for your room and ensure it’s ample enough to suit all of your family party.

Kids can get bored with the beach or pool quickly. Properties with kids clubs or on-site entertainment take the hassle of finding and paying for such services. Always read the reviews of such facilities before booking as you want to ensure those looking after your children are qualified and the locations are safe and secure.

If you are on a budget, it may be more cost effective to go all-inclusive. Alternatively, check that there are enough shops around to cater for your family needs.

Finally, a word of warning. As the economy is turning around, more families are planning on travelling abroad this year. Now is the time to scan and book for a holiday before they are all snapped up.