First family holiday, where to start

[Deleted User]

I want to start thinking about our first family holiday but I haven’t been away since my kids were born (oldest is almost 16 ☺️) and I need a tick list on what I need to do to make it all happen.

I’m hoping for a cheap short break abroad, possibly Spain as a first family trip?

So far I’ve got:

1. Check passports are in date and valid for travel 
2. Check we all have valid covid passes 

3. Check EHIC cards are valid
4. Book holiday 
5. Book insurance 
6. Exchange currency 
7. Arrange transport to airport. 

I really need help with booking the actual holiday. Where do I start? I assume a package holiday is the easiest option so that I don’t need to book everything separately, but which websites are the most reliable/safest/cheapest to look at? Where do I look and what do I need to look for? Any advice?

Also, am I missing anything on my tick list?

any help appreciated thanks 

daveyjp

If you aren't well travelled the package can still offer great value and painless experience.

Have a look at Jet2, if flights are convenient.

 Never had a bad experience with them ( we have done at least 6 holidays with them, from short breaks to week long trips), plenty of choice to suit all budgets.

They also don't appear to be affected with inability to operate aircraft at the moment, unlike TUI and Easyjet.

NoodleDoodleMan

Tourist Tax in the Balearics - none mainland Spain - save a few Euros.

[Deleted User]

Take 'exchange currency' off your list and replace it with 'get forex free credit card'.

A package holiday is certainly an easy option, you'd look at companies such as TUI for that. But have a think about what sort of holiday you actually want, such as all inclusive, villa, hotel, self catering, etc.  There's other countries apart from Spain which would offer good value and arguably a better holiday.

TELLIT01

There are still travel agents on the High Street.  Probably best to use one of them for your first trip in order to get face to face advice.

IvanOpinion

The one thing to remember is have a look at what you have laid out to take with you - and then take half the clothes and twice the money.

If it is your first holiday then I would suggest using a good travel agent and let them do the leg work for you. It may cost a little bit more, but a good TA should take all the stress out of it for you.

zagfles

Deleted_User said:

I want to start thinking about our first family holiday but I haven’t been away since my kids were born (oldest is almost 16 ☺️) and I need a tick list on what I need to do to make it all happen.

I’m hoping for a cheap short break abroad, possibly Spain as a first family trip?

So far I’ve got:

1. Check passports are in date and valid for travel 
2. Check we all have valid covid passes 

3. Check EHIC cards are valid
4. Book holiday 
5. Book insurance 
6. Exchange currency 
7. Arrange transport to airport. 

I really need help with booking the actual holiday. Where do I start? I assume a package holiday is the easiest option so that I don’t need to book everything separately, but which websites are the most reliable/safest/cheapest to look at? Where do I look and what do I need to look for? Any advice?

Also, am I missing anything on my tick list?

any help appreciated thanks 

1. This has become complicated since Brexit - check the issue date as well as expiry - if it's more than 9 years since issue date look at the rules here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements

2. May not be needed soon - countries are gruadually dropping the requirement. Check the above site nearer the time.

3. Or GHIC cards

4. If you're going to Spain just book a package, use someone like TUI or could check packages from Easyjet, Jet2 etc. You really don't need a travel agent if you're just booking a package. Check baggage, transfers etc included, and whatever board you want. Check reviews of the hotel, but don't be put off by a few negative reviews, you'll always get some for big hotels, if most reviews are positive it'll likely be fine.

5. Get insurance asap after booking, especially for a package, as it'll cover you for cancellation if something serious happens before you go

6. Something NOT to do. Exchanging currency in the UK is almost invariably a rip-off. Get a good card, see here https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

In particular for Spain, the Santander card is good for cash withdrawals from Santander banks (not sure about spending). If you must change cash, do it abroad, it's nearly always better value. But otherwise withdraw from ATMs and use cards. Watch out for "dynamic currency conversion", always pay in Euros (or whatever the local currency is). But even if you have a normal bank card which charges, even if you get stung for DCC, it's likely to be better value than changing cash in the UK.

7. If you're driving there book parking in advance. It's expensive to park at airports but much cheaper if you book rather than just turn up. Can usually get 10% off of so using holidayextras or similar. Airport hotel can be an idea if you have an early flight, these can be good value and often walkable to the airport, great to be able to roll out of bed and straight to check-in/bag drop. Some do packages including parking.

Loads on this and other travel moneysaving here https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/

thegreenone

3.  Order your GHICs now, if you need them.  We had a query on ours and then they took weeks to arrive.

8.  Have the family write down any gadgets they will want to take with them and buy converter plugs and spare charging cables.  Put in individual bags, labelled for each person. (I know we're sad, but it helped)

[Deleted User]

zagfles said:

1. This has become complicated since Brexit - check the issue date as well as expiry - if it's more than 9 years since issue date look at the rules here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements

Zagfles. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this very useful post. 

Thank you everyone for all the great advice given on here. 

onashoestring

1. Decide how much you can afford - set a maximum Budget.
2. Decide what you & your family want out of a holiday - adventure ,excursions & activities or relaxing by the pool beach / staying in resort ? Quiet or lively ?  Self catering or all inclusive ? City / Beach or Countryside. Evening entertainment? 

Once you have decided on these a local travel agent will be able to assist you with finding the perfect holiday for your family . 

elsien

Check transfers at the other end. They are not included in my Jet2 package.,

check whether roaming is still included in your mobile phone package.