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Booking a family holiday: share your top tips with ABTA. Voucher to win!

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  • Shop around for flights. Use skyscanner.net and consider flying from an airport slightly further away if flights are cheaper i.e East Midlands etc

  • Book everything separately - as a family of 5 this saves us hundreds of pounds each year!

  • Make sure you spend plenty of time researching for the best deals ;) Packages and seperate bookings x

  • Consider doing a home exchange. We did last year, and it was wonderful! ALWAYS check in online..it saves so much time (we learnt the hard way!). If your children have allergies make sure you take identification bracelets/cards.

  • When reading reviews makes sure the reviewers situation is similar to yours. For example when someone says that a holiday is good for families try and ascertain the ages of the children. A holiday suitable for say a 7 and a 9 year old may be totally unsuitable 3 year old twins for example. 

  • Leave much more time than you need to be able to get the children all sorted and out the door! Research the area and make sure there are plenty of things to keep the children amused, and ensure there is suitable food available nearby to cater for specific dietary requirements.

  • always discuss where you are going and who wants to do what on holiday even with the youngest member so the holiday can be tailored to fit all the family needs

  • Give each member of the family their own bag with snacks etc and they will take ownership of them.

  • Always  read the reviews for the hotel and also the area you're thinking of booking, compare prices to get the best deals and consider other local airports because you could save ££££££££s travelling an extra 10 mins down the motorway. We did Birmingham airport was a lot dearer than East Midlands. Not on all holidays.

  • Take advantage of the discounts holiday companies give when you return from being away with them, you could save £££ on your holiday the year after :)

  • Go all inclusive, it saves time, money and stress 

  • Team up with other family or friends to rent a large private villa - a much more relaxed holiday with extra 'babysitters' for a fraction of the cost.

  • Read reviews on particular holidays or hotels you are wanting to book so you don't come across anything unexpected once you get there. Also, check the countries particular guidelines on food, health and safety. Take plenty of medication, pain relief etc from the UK so you are not looking for foreign alternatives when you are abroad.

  • Make Sure E11 Passport and most Important Insurance Cover are Valid for the Total Time of your "Holibobs"

  • shop around  i have found booking direct can yield the best deals rather than  than comparisons sites.  be prepared for when traveling with kids

  • Book early to get the best deals and also make sure you have travel insurance

  • I focus on the area then look for cheap accommodation with a good rating. We never spend alot of time in so it only needs to be basic

  • We book in advance at least 9 months before. We always check reviews,the place we going to stay at but also local attactions- there have to be plenty to do to keep the kids entertained!

  • Research your destination well, book early and research it well use lots of sources friends websites like trip adviser, travel agents advice. Make sure your hotel/accommodation  is suitable for children, consider location , food , entertainments facilities. The best holidays are after all the ones where the children are happy, then the adults can be happy 

  • Use a number of screenscrapers to find the best offers. Also, try to book the flights and hotels separately and as a package as you can get some real bargains that way. One Christmas, we paid £9 a night per room!

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