While solo getaways or trips with friends can be a lot of fun, there’s nothing that beats a good family holiday. With millions of people planning to spend some time away with their families every year to bond and get some much-needed quality time with one another, it’s clear to see that many people view a family holiday as one of the best ways to create lasting memories and spend time reconnecting with loved ones. Surveys show that over 40% of millennials and over 30% of baby boomers plan to participate in some form of family trip in the near future.
However, while getting away for a break with your family can be a lot of fun, it can also take a lot of effort. Planning a luxury, exciting trip for several generations of family members who have different needs, likes, and dislikes can be complicated, so if you’re planning to enjoy a family holiday once international travel is back on the cards, keep these handy tips in mind.
Why Luxury Family Holidays are the Best Option:
Luxury stays are often the best option for an extended family holiday with several generations since luxury villas and hotels will often offer facilities that everybody can make use of. A family resort is the ideal option since these will often provide a huge range of amenities and facilities to suit everybody from the kids who want to play in the children’s club or playground to young adults who’d like a party area and older adults who simply want to relax in the sun.
What to Keep in Mind When Planning Large Family Holidays:
Arranging a trip for several generations of your family to come together and enjoy a holiday together is not always easy. Along with working out the logistics and ensuring that everybody is able to come at the same time, you’ll also need to figure out where everybody is going to stay. There are several different accommodation options to consider when planning your large family holiday. Many families find that staying in a villa is the best choice since it offers them a private setting, often with their own pool and outdoor area. And, a large villa means that it is more of a home from home experience where couples, singles, and kids can all have their own rooms alongside a shared living and dining area, which is much less cramped compared to hotel rooms.
Planning Travel for Family Holidays:
Once you have found suitable accommodation for your family holiday, you will need to arrange travel for everybody. For most families, this is the trickiest option since it is all about finding a time that works well for everybody – something that might sound easier than it actually is if you have members of the family working in different jobs, kids at school, and young adults at college or university who all want to attend. The summer is often an ideal time to plan a large family holiday since you are guaranteed school holidays. However, the downside to this is that many popular holiday areas tend to be the most crowded, and the high demand for travel means that you can expect to pay more for flights and accommodation. It’s always worth checking if any members of the family collect air miles or are members of other loyalty schemes that can be used to offset the price of travel.
Should Your Luxury Family Holiday Be All Inclusive?
When booking travel and accommodation for your luxury family holiday, there is always the question of whether you should opt for self-catering, half-board, full-board, or all inclusive. The option that you choose will depend on what you plan to do while at the destination, the type of accommodation that you’re staying in, and your budget. Since the cost of eating out for every single meal and buying every single drink for a week or two can quickly add up, it’s no surprise that many families who travel together find that opting for an all-inclusive option is the most cost-effective and convenient choice. When you opt for all-inclusive, you can rest assured that you will have three meals per day provided, and most or even all drinks will be included in your package, depending on where you are staying. When you factor in the cost of finding a restaurant to eat at every day and purchasing drinks, all-inclusive often works out to be cheaper compared to the cost of opting for a self-catering holiday.
Explore Family Holidays Options – Choosing Your Destination:
Choosing a destination for your family getaway can often be the trickiest part of the entire process. You might find that some members of the family want to go somewhere where they can relax in the sun, others might prefer the idea of skiing in the snow, and some might be up for a city break. The best solution is to find somewhere that offers as much as possible and falls somewhere in the middle of what everybody wants as a compromise. Of course, you might get lucky and every member of the family might be more than happy to choose a beach destination, for example. It’s a good idea to get everybody together either physically or in a group chat well in advance of booking your trip so that you can communicate the options and determine which destinations are going to be favoured by most of the family. If it comes down to it, you could consider having everybody vote from a pre-approved list of destinations to make it fair. Don’t forget to consider the type of activities that are available at the destinations you are considering. Some people might want water sports, for example, while others prefer to visit historical sites and museums. Going somewhere where there’s a diverse range of attractions and activities available is always the best option.
Where are the Best Places for Family Villa Holidays?
If you’re looking for a luxury villa to stay in with your family on your next getaway together, here are some of the best options to consider:
Luxury Holidays in the South of France:
Whether it’s the glamourous French Riviera, the stunning Provence lavender fields, or the gorgeous Languedoc vineyards, there is something for the whole family in the south of France. Whether you have family members that want to ski in the Midi-Pyrenees or relatives that want to spend their time relaxing in the sun, the south of France is difficult to beat. There are tons of activities to take part in whether you want to explore ancient castles, take a cycling tour, or go horse riding.
Tuscany Villa Holidays for Families:
With its ancient traditions, stunning landscapes, and amazing food that you’ll want to get as much of possible of, it’s no surprise that Tuscany often comes up top as a great destination for a family villa holiday. With a slow, laid-back pace, it’s perfect for relaxing and foodies will love the great selection of fresh and delicious meals on offer.
Best Crete Family Holidays:
This generous area is home to hospitable and welcoming locals and some of the most stunning views of the Mediterranean. It’s no surprise that Crete is a popular choice of destination for a family holiday. Wherever you go, you are sure to be embraced by the friendly Greek lifestyle and meet locals who’ll be more than happy to treat you like a member of their own family. Kids will love Crete with plenty of playgrounds, waterparks, and things for families to do, while beach-lovers will definitely not be disappointed with the stunning soft sands and glittering blue waters.
Villa Family Holidays in the Algarve:
The Algarve offers the perfect destination for your relaxing family holiday. There really is something for everybody here, with hidden caves that you can reach by boat trip, dolphin-spotting, gorgeous and huge beaches, amazing food, and plenty of party opportunities for younger members of the family too. With over three hundred days of sunshine every year, the Algarve makes the perfect family holiday destination almost all year round, and there’s definitely something for everybody.
Amazing Family Holidays in Turkey:
Offering the best of both the East and the West, Turkey is a friendly and interesting destination for those who are looking for a family holiday that is a little bit different. With stunning, dramatic landscapes, huge beaches, and clear turquoise waters, Turkey is the ideal option for families that want to relax or have an adventure. While it might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of a family holiday, you’ll be glad to hear that if you are planning to travel with kids, children are always welcome wherever they go, and there are several family-friendly beaches on offer with beach clubs and more.
Going on holiday with your extended family can be a great way to spend quality time together, bond with relatives that you don’t often get to see, and make some amazing memories. A luxury getaway could be just what you and your family need if you’ve missed out on spending time together over the past year.