Are you thinking about booking a holiday abroad for your break away this year? To start with, go for it; you won’t regret it!
Going abroad is a great experience that lets you discover new places and have new experiences. You can visit many places, all offering their own USPs. You could go on a cruise, city break, beach holiday, or plan a road trip and visit multiple countries at once – the possibilities are endless!
When planning your trip abroad with your family, there are a number of things that you should consider before booking. What type of breakaway would you like to do? What activities are available at the said destination? Is there something for everyone to do in your party? The list goes on. It’s important to do your research beforehand to ensure you book the best possible holiday for you.
To help you with deciding on where to go, below are our top things to consider when planning a trip abroad.
This post is part of our family travel advice series
What type of break would you like?
One of the first questions to ask yourself is, what type of break would you like to go on? Are you interested in cruising and fancy a new cruise ship? Or would you prefer to go on a city break? It might be that you have been working really hard, and the only thing you are wanting to do is find a calming beach and relax, drinking a cocktail (or two) – resorts in Cancun are great for this!
It might be that you combine a city break with a beach holiday by doing a road trip. This way, you can visit multiple destinations in one trip. Plus, if you visit a place and are not keen on it, you can then jump in your car and continue your journey to the next hotel on your list.
What activities would you like to do?
When looking into a destination, it’s important you consider the activities you would like to do before booking it. Are you interested in history and want to visit numerous museums, or are you into water sports and fancy taking on some adrenaline activities on the seas?
If you are a foodie, you may want to research the local food markets and check out what restaurants are available for you to dine at – this can help you decide on whether you want to go all-inclusive at a resort or bed and breakfast.
How long does it take to get to the destination?
When doing your research, have you looked into the time it will take for you to get to your destination? Try to factor in the flight times as well as the transfer time when you get there.
Depending on the length of time you have off work or school – 5-days, one week or two weeks will help you decide on how far you would like to travel.
The last thing you want is to travel a long time, reducing the time you have at your holiday destination. If an unfortunate delay occurs, this can reduce the length of your trip even more as you may have to arrange alternative transport.
Are there enough things to do for all of your party?
Where one destination may be perfect for what you have in mind, it may not be right for the others in your party. When booking, it’s important you all agree on where you are going to ensure you all have the best time.
Compromises may have to be made, which is why it’s advised you all sit down and write a list of the things you want to get out of your holiday. This way, when looking, you can try to match up each of your requirements to the destinations you are looking at.
You may not always agree, and sometimes someone may miss out on anything, but you will all still have a great time when going away together.
The cost of flights
If you are looking to book a hotel separate from the flights, then checking the price of the flights is vital before confirming your accommodation. The price of flights can vary and in some cases, cost more than you would think.
We recommend using a price comparison site to check all the different airlines that fly to your destination to ensure you get the best price possible.
We hope the above five points help make planning your trip abroad that little bit easier. Our biggest advice would be to not rush booking anything; there will always be another special deal or destination that you will discover and can book in the future.
No matter when you decide to departure, make sure you know the value of your home, especially if you plan to travel full-time. Real estate prices grow constantly, so although you’re out and about, don’t forget the home insurance policy should still be paid.
It’s important that everyone in your party is happy, this way you can all look forward to going abroad together.
What tips do you have to help someone who is planning a trip abroad? Which of the above tips did you find most useful? Is there anything you would like to share that will benefit our readers? Let us know in the comment box below.
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