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We are keen to do a bit of travelling with the children and this time of year is always a time when we start to think about what our holiday plans for the next year might look like. In past years we would have been looking at various far-flung cities and planning in a long winter break as well as some short springtime breaks – we would happily have two holidays plus some shorter breaks a year.
However, the children present different needs so we need to have regard to their requirements and wants as well. It makes choosing destinations harder in some ways, but also makes us think a little harder.
Choosing a destination
Choosing a holiday destination is always fun. Damian and I have a long list of places we want to visit (or re-visit) so whittling that down is fun! We have talked about taking the children to Mexico, as it’s a country that taught us both a lot in terms of the absolute privilege we both have been fortunate to have as well as the vastness of the world and how different cultures live. The children are, of course, learning Spanish, so Mexico would be an ideal longer haul destination for us as a family as they’d be able to live and breathe Spanish for a short time whilst there.
We have also talked about going to the USA with the children, we fancy taking in a few different states; again to help them see the vastness of the country as well as the differences in how people live there. We would also be keen to head to the vineyards of California – we have toured a few vineyards and the such in the past, and it’s always so fascinating to see how wine is made. Of course, on vineyard tours you also get to sample a glass or two, and I know that both Damian and I are partial to a glass of red every now and then!
Booking the tickets
This time of year sees lots of offers for cheap flights, so it’s well worth taking a look and getting something booked in. It is also worth taking a look at what you can do once you arrive at your destination. Often a little bit of research now helps you to seal some good deals or book into events that might otherwise sell out before you get there. With the world of social media and facebook groups it’s also really easy to ask friends and family for their hints, tips and recommendations as well as find dedicated Facebook groups to help would-be visitors make the most of their time there. There’s always lots of unknown routes to travel and facebook groups can give you insider tips for cheaper train routes to the tourist ones, the best routes to walk and the best ice roads to check out.
Holiday Homes
Another alternative is to look for a perfect property investment. I have friends who have invested in property (or have done so with other family members) and it means that they have a location to travel to readily available, and all they need to do is keep an eye on when cheap air travel might become available. It’s a great alternative when children are young and you just want a break and need a bolthole in sunnier climes! A holiday home might not be for everyone but it’s a great thing if you can afford to do it, and of course, is an investment for the future. There’s also plenty of advice out there about the best franchise to buy today if you have that in mind too.
