eircom Exclusive January 09 - With so many types of holidays on offer, which one is for your family?

From Aisling O’Donoghue at Baby Travel Shop

It’s that time of year again… where are we going to go on our holidays? Below are some ideas you may like to consider…

• Decide what kind of holiday you’re looking for and make sure it will suit your children’s ages.
• Choose activities carefully to strike the right balance for all concerned
• Make sure children are welcome at your chosen destination, you don’t want to be stressed out by other holiday makers seeking peace and tranquillity while your kids are dive-bombing the pool!

Remember that Kids want fun & Kids want other kids!

Planning:
• As soon as you know your dates and destination start planning.
• Book your flights as early as possible to get the cheapest deal.
• Travelling outside of school holidays or mid-week will save you money at home or abroad.

Questions to consider:
• Do we want a relaxing break or an activity adventure family holiday?
• Do we want sunshine or is weather not that important?
• What is our holiday budget?
• Do we want an all-inclusive family holiday or are we happy to do self-catering?
• Would we like kids club, childcare facilities and the service of a babysitter?
• Do we have a special interest we would like to explore?

Types of holiday to consider:
• Beach Holiday
• Camping and holiday parks
• City breaks
• Adventure holidays
• Skiing holidays
• Long haul family holidays
• Cruise

Package holidays:
Although the traditional package holiday is in decline, the majority of holidays sold continue to be tour operator packages. The advantages include having most or all the elements of the holiday arranged for you, including transfers and representation in the destination or resort. Packages can be cheaper, though that is not always the case. Most, but not all, packages offered by tour operators also offer the consumer protection through the Tour Operator License, which prevents you from losing money or being stranded abroad should the travel firm cease trading.

Independent travel:
Making arrangements independently can offer greater flexibility and be less expensive, sometimes significantly. However, it is likely to require more effort and you will have nobody to turn to if the hotel, for example, falls far short of your expectations. Getting it right with the accommodation is a key ingredient of a successful family holiday so be sure to do your homework via the internet or seek recommendations from friends.

Using travel agencies:
Not all travel agencies are the same. A great agency can make a big difference to your holiday by offering a wide choice of tour operator offerings. They should also be in a position to advise about travelling with children and help you tailor make a trip should that be your preference.

Hotel or self-catering?
Hotels generally offer a wide range of facilities, including restaurants under one roof. For city-break trips hotels are also likely to be more centrally located. If you are travelling on a tight budget the whole family can often be accommodated at a reasonable cost per head in a family room. However, hotels can also have major drawbacks for family travel unless you plan carefully. Try to book two interconnecting rooms or even a suite to allow for some space for yourself. And bear in mind that hotels can prove substantially more expensive than other accommodation options. Nor are most hotels generally renowned for child friendliness (although there are some great exceptions).

Self-catering can be far less expensive and offers greater flexibility and freedom. Although most parents would prefer to spend minimal time in the kitchen while away from home, kitchen facilities can certainly prove useful for the odd meal, or for heating bottles. And your children may warmly welcome the odd 'home' cooked meal, especially in countries where local cuisine differs substantially from the meals to which your children are accustomed. Useful too if you need to make, mash, store and consume baby food. Villas, cottages and apartments generally also offer families far more space than one or two hotel rooms.

Top tips
• Research your destination accommodation on www.tripadvisor.com
• Check out the sales in January for great holiday offers from all the tour operators including free child places and free granny places!
• Make sure all your passports are well in date

Visit www.babytravelshop.ie for more Travel Tips and Products!