Traveling with a large family, particularly with my own brood of three children and three stepchildren, has always been an adventure and a lesson in patience and organization. I always aim for our travels to be more heartwarming than hair-raising. The type of trip you choose as a family can make the difference between it being a nightmare or a dream holiday. Through trial and error with city breaks, camping, skiing, self-drive, and even cruising, I have learned a few essential tips for family holidays.
An all-inclusive package is always my go-to pick for a family holiday. Based on my personal experiences during self-catering holidays, I’ve learned that cooking for eight often means a recurring cycle of grocery shopping, meal preparation, and washing up, leaving hardly any time for other activities. The all-inclusive deal means someone else is preparing the food and if the kids don’t eat it, it’s not a waste of your time or effort. In recent years, our favorite family holiday spot has been an all-inclusive, family-run hotel in Crete, offering delights such as tasty Greek cuisine and entertainment options for different age groups.
Another consideration when planning a trip with a large family is to find a resort without traffic. Nothing sends fear through my heart like losing sight of a child, and with a half dozen under my care, the possibility of it happening at least once during a vacation is unthinkable. Finding a car-free resort becomes a priority, and it also allows me to allow the older kids to explore with a degree of independence.
When booking accommodation, ground-floor rooms are ideal especially if you have younger children who like exploring and even attempting adventurous climbs. Moreover, interconnecting rooms are a dream for a more relaxed holiday. A hotel we stayed at in Marrakesh offered some of the best options in terms of all-inclusive interconnecting double rooms.
When traveling with a large family, being prepared for all eventualities is key. This includes ensuring every child can swim confidently if the main attractions include swimming pools or nearby bodies of water. On a recent trip to Crete, we set sail to see the historic island of Spinalonga and the children were able to jump off the bow into the clear turquoise waters, which was a highlight of the trip.
The family holidays I’ve experienced have also taught me to always pack a basic first-aid kit which includes at least Calpol and plasters, and even Aftersun. On one memorable occasion, my children fell ill and there was no pharmacy in proximity, leaving us feeling quite helpless. Ever since, I never leave for a holiday without the essentials.
We’ve also learned to travel light. Each child is encouraged to only bring what they can carry to prevent overloading us on the trip, considering the high expenses of luggage fees. With six children, these costs quickly pile up.
Skiing became an annual activity for our family despite its burdens, both financially and physically. We usually take the children to El Tarter in Andorra every year, which offers a good mix of intermediate runs suitable for young skiers and is also great value for money.
Lastly, maintaining some boundaries is crucial. This includes carving out some ‘alone time’ for me and my partner and deciding wisely about what we are saying “yes” to. Because if we agree to buy an inflatable for one child, we imagine the diplomatic crisis of having to buy for all; soon enough, there’s hardly any room for anyone in the pool. These are just some of the hard-earned tips and strategies you pick up when trying to keep a large family not just intact, but happy during holidays.
