It’s back. The dreaded family vacation.
Let me start by saying that I love my family, but when it comes to planning a vacation, we are all the most stubborn people you will ever meet. You would think that with everyone on holiday and therefore in a better mood, we might be able to agree on simple things like where to eat breakfast or what time we should go to the pool. Nope. Not even close.
Maybe it’s because we are all so excited to have time off work and are, therefore, anxious to do something fun every minute of every day (which is totally unrealistic). Or maybe it’s because we have different ideas of what constitutes “fun” and therefore have different priorities when it comes to vacations. Whatever the reason, our family vacations have become so stressful that no one looks forward to them anymore.
So this year, I am determined to change the dynamic and make our annual trip something that we actually look forward to! Here are some of my plans for simplifying summer family vacation planning, and I hope it can bring some benefit for some of you too.
Be flexible when booking your accommodation if you can.
If you’re not tied to school holidays or work commitments, consider travelling outside peak season when accommodation is cheaper. If cost is not an issue and you have children who are in school, then consider taking them out of school for a week or two so you can enjoy substantial savings on accommodation, experiences and activities during the quieter seasons.
Book any extras you want early.
If there’s a specific attraction or activity that you know your family will enjoy, book it as soon as possible. You don’t want to get to your destination only to find out that the tickets are sold out, or they’re no longer accepting reservations. If you can buy tickets in advance and have them delivered to your phone (or better yet, printed out), it’ll make things much easier when you arrive at your destination.
Pack lightly, but don’t forget the gadgets.
Don’t worry about bringing clothes for every possible weather scenario. Instead, bring outfits that can adapt to changes in temperature. For example, shorts are great in warm weather, but if it turns cold, add tights underneath and dress them in a sweater or jacket on top. And remember that kids grow fast, so chances are they won’t fit into their shorts by the end of summer anyway.
The same goes for shoes. Bring a pair of sneakers and some sandals; that’s all you need
Don’t forget your gadgets! A portable battery pack will keep your phone charged all day long — even if you spend most of it taking photos and videos!
Plan food shopping in advance if you’re self-catering.
Plan food shopping in advance if you’re self-catering. There might be a supermarket or farm shop nearby, but we suggest visiting Norwich Marketplace. It’s truly a family experience full of activities and food for all.
Planning your meals in advance can also help with this step. Make an itinerary of what you will do each day so you know when and where meals need to be prepared. That way, if some days require more food preparation than others, it won’t be overwhelming.
Don’t try to do everything in one week.
For busy families with limited time off during the summer, it can be tempting to try and pack in as many activities as possible into one week away. This may seem like an efficient way to get the most out of your vacation time, but it often leads to exhaustion and a lack of relaxation.
Norfolk is the perfect destination for a simple summer escape, offering everything you need for a stress-free family getaway.
At Norfolk, we really don’t have time to waste. We have a sunny climate, a beautiful coastline, award-winning restaurants and a broad range of entertainment and attractions. For vacationers looking for a simple family getaway that makes good use of their valuable time, Norfolk has it all. We eliminated the needless planning and packed our area with everything you need to complete your family vacation.
So there you have it. How to plan a Summer family holiday. We hope to see you here this summer!
