A family holiday is an excellent way to bond with the special people in your life. You’ll be able to create new memories that you’ll treasure for years to come. But the best way to do this is often through contrast, and just a small amount of novelty – and that means going on a few different sorts of holiday, rather than simply sticking with what you know works.
Why variety matters in family travel
It’s very difficult to please everyone over the course of a single trip. Even a varied and diverse holiday itinerary will tend to demand a little bit of compromise from some members of the group. Ensuring that one holiday offers something a little bit different from the last one might help you to deal with this problem. If you go somewhere hot one year, then you might choose to go somewhere cold the next, and thereby give everyone a chance to get what they’re looking for in a holiday.
The active holiday that builds confidence
Certain kinds of holidays have physical activity baked into them. If you go on a hiking adventure, then you’ll be spending hours on your feet each day, exploring the natural world, and working up an appetite that you can satisfy in the evening. An active holiday is also a way to provide children with the confidence they need to tackle other challenges. This is where ski holidays tend to represent something of an ideal, with their winning combination of structure and flexibility.
The slowed-down break that restores balance
You might not always want a high-octane holiday, packed with experiences. When you take a deliberate decision to slow down and reconnect with one another, you can avoid the mental fatigue that comes with constantly having to make decisions, and instead put the emphasis on simple, shared rituals.
The culture-led city experience
A good city break might be thought of as an adults-only way to spend a weekend. But the truth is that many big cities are packed with family-friendly activities. You might spend time touring a major museum, taking a stroll through a park, or trying out a new and exciting form of cuisine. Young children might even appreciate the sheer novelty of dealing with things like the transport system.
The multigenerational gathering
Holidays with grandparents have a number of advantages. To begin with, they’re pleasant for the grandparents themselves, who might want to spend time with their grandchildren. But having grandparents to hand might also allow parents to find time for one another, and to take a break from the pressure of looking after the kids.
Closing: Build a mix over time
No single holiday can hope to tick every box. But if you’re willing to build variety over time, you might ultimately enjoy a more satisfying holiday experience. Think about the long-term rhythm of your holiday time, and how you might take each break as a chance to do something a little bit different.
