Baby Travel Shop TV3 interview & Baby Travel Shop

TV3 interview & Baby Travel Shop

Baby Travel Shop and TV3: Feb 4th 2008

Just because your family is young is no reason to stop travelling!
Travel with a baby or toddler entails organisation, that’s for sure, but… it will all be worth it in the end.

Before you book:
Should you book a package, go independent or use an agency?

Consider the type of holiday you might like and research it:
•  Beach Holiday
•  Camping and holiday parks
•  City breaks
•  Adventure holidays
•  Skiing holidays
•  Long haul family holidays
•  Cruise

Package:

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.

Increasingly, tour operators and agencies are offering customers the ability to design their own packages. This practice is known as 'dynamic packaging' within the travel industry. Durations need not be limited to 7 or 14 days and the combinations of flights, accommodation, car hire and excursions are packaged by the customer according to his or her requirements.

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 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.

Most agencies do not operate independently from the larger tour operators because they are owned by the operator. This inevitably means that you are less likely to receive impartial, independent guidance. And agencies do not always invest enough to train their staff to become true family travel experts.

Unusual family holiday ideas:

Example: Volunteer trips, elephant experience for families, as part of a two week adventure, four days volunteering in an elephant sanctuary – available in Thailand and Kenya. (minimum age 10 years)

Hotel or self-catering?

Hotels:
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:
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.

Before booking self-catering accommodation it's worth conducting careful research and asking the following kinds of questions:

•  How many bedrooms?
•  How far from local shops and restaurants? The beach or ski slopes?
•  Are there baby sitting services or any other form of childcare or activities for children?
•  What kinds of facilities are available for children? Cots, highchair etc.
•  How often will the accommodation be cleaned?