Thinking about a holiday alters my mood completely. My breathing gets deeper, my heart rate slows down and I can feel myself relaxing immediately. If all of this happens merely by thinking about a perfect holiday, just think how good it would be to actually go on one.



It’s possible that you might be saying “that’s easy for you to say, but unless we win the lottery then there is no chance!” What if I told you that there are a few simple things that you can do to ensure that you and your family do have the perfect holiday? Ok, so I cannot help you get to “Paradise Beach” if money is tight, but I can help you make the most of your holiday whether it be in the Bahamas or Bognor.

Your budget is the first place to start. Make sure that you have enough to cover the accommodation and all the extras such as food and drink, trips, shopping expeditions, transport and entertainment. Then add a bit more on top for emergencies and ‘must haves’. An all-inclusive holiday might be the answer if you are not sure how much to allocate for things.As it is a family holiday, make a point of sitting down with your family to discuss what each member would like to do and where they would like to go. Whilst it may be impossible to cater for all of their wishes, it is crucial to take into consideration every body’s likes and dislikes before you make a final decision. Don’t be the only person to organise things. If you all take turns planning and organising a day of your holiday, you will be surprised how much fun everyone has. If the children have time to do what they want to do, then you will be justly rewarded when it is your turn. For some activities the family could split into groups so that Mum and the girls can go shopping whilst Dad and the boys go Go-Carting for example.

Make sure you do your homework on your chosen destination. Find out about all the local amenities and attractions, this will help with the planning of your time. If you have a young family it is essential to check that your accommodation has all the necessary equipment such as travel cots, stair gates and high chairs. Some places may make a small charge for this service but this is easily offset by the fact that you can travel light. Also check that there are children’s clubs and qualified child minders available so that you and your partner can enjoy some precious time together without the children.

Moving swiftly on now to the end of your holiday, (that was quick I hear you say). You know that horrible feeling you get when you get home and start thinking about the big pile of washing, and the groceries you need? Well, if you organise yourself beforehand, you can cling on to your holiday feeling for just a little longer. I recommend doing an online shop before you go and arrange for it to arrive later on the day you return home. You could also do some laundry while you are away as many holiday destinations have washing facilities. Whilst it may not be the most exciting way to spend your holiday time, if you do some washing as you go along, it really does cut down on what you have to do on your return. Tumble dry whatever you can as this cuts down on the ironing.

Lastly as a final holiday treat, make sure you save enough spending money to treat the family to their favourite take-away food on the night you get home. You can all relax together reminiscing about the best bits of your holiday and start to plan the next one.