Travel Article:

Choosing a family holiday destination

By: Laine Yates

Planning a family holiday (especially with young kids) can be extremely exciting but can also be very stressful. Here are some questions that I have put together for you to answer before you head down to the travel agent or start searching for that bargain online holiday!

1) Is the destination child friendly? A great way to find out is to read reviews on websites for places to go, ask friends and family with kids for recommendations, or ask your travel agent.

2) What kind of holiday are you after? Whether it's adventure, relaxing, sight seeing, theme parks etc, try to think of everyone's limits. Will your two year old get bored if you spend three weeks on a beach holiday with no other "attractions" that would be suitable for their age? Or if you are planning to go to a particular theme park - ensure they will be able to go on enough rides by finding out height restrictions (for the little ones), appropriate rides for their age etc.

3) Kids Club - is this a requirement? Are your children used to "day care" facilities? If not, try enrolling them in "occasional care" at your local centre a few months in advance. We know friends who specifically planned their destination around kids club and their children, who were up for it in theory, did not attend kids club for even half an hour!

4) Visas (if you are travelling abroad) - do you require them? If you are booking with a travel agent, they will be able to give you this information. However, if you are booking a holiday yourself, contact the embassy of the country you are visiting and they will be able to tell you.

5) Weather - check the weather at your destination when you are planning to travel. Keep in mind that 35 degrees in Melbourne is very different to 35 degrees in NYC and London. We get a breeze in Melbourne which makes it more bearable, whereas NYC and London are concrete jungles and the heat is therefore contained and magnified. Also, some countries have extreme weather seasons - monsoon, typhoons, hurricanes etc which needs to be taken into consideration.

Check out www.climateandweather.com - a great site that gives you the climate for most overseas destinations (rainfall, minimum and maximum temperatures, what months to avoid etc).

6) Immunisation requirements - this varies from country to country so it’s best to speak to your doctor about what inoculations you require. Some vaccines need to be given a few weeks before you travel so keep this in mind.

7) Length of your holiday - think about total travel time. Jet lag is an issue if you are flying overseas (especially with kids) - will you have enough time to get over this before having to turn around and fly back home?

8) Is it school holidays at your destination when you travel? Definitely something to think about if you are incorporating theme parks into your holiday - obviously it will be packed during this time.

After answering these questions, I am sure you will be better able to narrow down the search for your fun family holiday.

ickle Kids specialises in Kids Activity Packs and Travel Toys! As a mum of two active young boys, I understand how challenging it can be to entertain your ickle ones when you are out and about. Our activity packs and travel toys are perfect to entertain your kids when you are travelling, dining out at restaurants, waiting at the doctor’s surgery, busy feeding your ickle bubba, visiting Granny’s house or for a rainy day at home. Our travel toys are unique, fun and educational and cannot be found in commercial stores. Visit our online shop www.icklekids.com.au.

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