5 top tips for fuss-free, fun-filled family holidays
Wondering how to budget for all the family vacation this summer? Or how to find the perfect holiday location and cater for an array of interests and selection of ages? Don’t let that keep you from booking your perfect summer holiday; just think outside the box and consider a villa holiday instead! A villa can certainly provide a flexible holiday opportunity which is great for families and also provides great value.
More space, private facilities, luxury touches and a pool to lounge in without having to even share the view? All sound very appealing? ItÂ’s very practical too – you might not realise, itÂ’s actually an affordable option for groups, while the privacy and relaxation youÂ’ll receive is priceless during the busy summer months.
Unconfined by hotel rooms, timings and formalities of dining, families can relax and parents donÂ’t need to restrain their excitable children from having fun. In fact, why not join in, wrestle an inflatable and shout about how thrilled you are to be on holiday too! We wonÂ’t tell anyone.
We understand the checklist of considerations a family holiday entails, so have highlighted 5 top tips to ensure an extra special, extra fuss free family holiday when booking your own private villa:
Location, location, location! None of us like long transfer journeys, especially small children, so you should bear in mind proximity to the airport when selecting your villa. Check access to the property – are there numerous steps up to the entrance (inconvenient with pushchairs or elderly family members) and can the rental car get access right to the door? A good travel consultant will be able to advise on all of this so let them know the ages of your family members and they’ll happily recommend suitable properties for you.
Pre-book services: Arriving and having to head out for groceries can be a pain! Following a long flight or arrival at an awkward hour avoid any added inconvenience with a pre-arrival shopping delivery to your villa. Everyone deserves to put their feet up (even Mum) so to avoid cooking on your first evening, itÂ’s easy to arrange for a chef to come and cook for the whole family – itÂ’s definitely easier than locating a suitable restaurant as the kids can be as fussy as required! Or maybe thereÂ’s an extra special occasion and you’re planning a party; a private chef means no-one has to be tied to the kitchen or even clear away afterwards!
Keep everyone occupied: Teenagers will probably require some social entertainment nearby, so make sure suitable venues are a 10 minute walk away, not a 10 minute drive! Look out for playrooms and facilities to keep children happy as well as places of interest nearby for some of the older members of the family to venture out and explore. Some villas come with private cinemas or PlayStations, perfect for teenagers or older children. Facilities can vary from villa to villa, allowing you to make arrangements to suit your family requirements; whether it is space to play, toys at hand to entertain, or a tennis court for all ages!
Privacy for multi-generational families: Enjoying quality time with loved ones is one of the great privileges of a villa vacation. However, you might want to consider a villa which allows a degree of privacy for different generations of your family, especially grandparents or teenagers. Some great luxury villas have separate wings or cottages, ideal for multi-generational families, where there are great ‘togetherness’ areas as well as independent space for quiet moments.
Seek advice on any potential safety hazards Last but not least (probably most importantly) have your travel consultant thoroughly inspect your family villas with the little ones in mind. Seek advice on any potential hazard such as drops from pools, staircases, and pool safety features such as an alarm, cover or fence. Choosing to stay in a specialist family villa means you will benefit from handpicked villas with fantastic facilities available, such as high chairs, pushchairs, and baby devoted details, to keep your children in complete safety.
The only thing youÂ’ll be left to worry about is who bags the master bedroom with sizeable hot tub and panoramic sea view? (I suggest you deserve it).
Claire Powell is Digital Marketing Manager at Abercrombie & Kent.
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Great wee guide for families. Travel with two wee girls myself so things like this always really appreciated. And yes I’m having the master bedroom with the hot tub and the view!
A few really good tips there! Self catering accommodation is also a good thing to go for when thinking about family travel. They can offer just as much style as a hotel but offers more flexibility and amenities for families.