There’s nothing more special then family holidays! It’s really a great time to bond and the memories are something you cherish for the rest of your life. However, there have been many occasions where I have been pulling my hair out thinking…this is supposed to be a HOLIDAY!!!
In fairness, it all depends on the nature of the beast, but being the mother of two very energetic boys and a little lady, I have to be realistic. If they are not well catered for, it becomes very challenging and you do find yourself asking…why did we do this to ourselves?!
One of the two greatest words I can read in a hotel compendium is “Kids Club.” Whilst I do love spending as much quality time with my children as possible, a well run Kids Club is enjoyable for them and it gives us some time out. On the other hand, I am the first to admit that I am one of those “over protective parents” so be sure to check out the individual establishment…not all Kids Clubs are created equal!
Speaking from personal experience, the small islands of Fiji are a great option for a family holiday. The Fijians are very warm and friendly and have a real love for children. In no time at all, the whole family will be in holiday mode. In particular, we love Castaway Island Resort and Vomo. Vomo is the more upmarket of the two, which if you are a real foodie you will enjoy the beautiful cuisine that Vomo has to offer. A word of advice, make sure you check out the space of your Bure. They do tend to be a little on the cosy side, so mums and dads don’t always get a lot of privacy from the children.
Getting there…Flying high! This seems to go one of two ways… smoothly or be an absolute disaster! The best advice I can give is be prepared for the unexpected. Always pack a change of clothes for your children….I can’t begin to tell you the number of times there has been a drink spilt or another incident that has required the “back up” outfit. Work out how many nappies, snacks, medication or formula you need and double it. It is the worst feeling when your flight has been delayed or you are stuck on a tarmac and you get that sinking feeling that you did not calculate for the delay!
Ideally, we would all love to travel Business Class but if that’s not an option, a stretch to Premium Economy is something I highly recommend it. We have travelled with Qantas in Premium Economy on some very long haul flights and they were excellent. You have to remember, it’s not just the extras on the flight, it’s the extra convenience before and after. Less line ups and standing around can make all the difference when you have tired or restless little travellers.
Don’t forget the transfers. When going out to the Islands, you might want to weigh up the cost of a seaplane or a helicopter. We took the helicopter to Vomo, which was about 2 hours quicker than the launch. Remember your car transfers as well. As previously mentioned, I’ve always been very big on safety. There have been a few times where we have had an hour drive to our hotel from the airport, and our driver arrived without car seats. Despite the fact that they know the age of the children travelling, the often won’t put car seats into their vehicles. If this is important to you, be sure to speak up and specify exactly what you want. It’s your holiday!!
Think about the age of your children. We did attempt a ski holiday in Vail Colorado so that we could experience the magic of a white Christmas. It was before our little princess was born. The boys were 2 and 4 and to be honest with you, my little guy was just a bit too little. We went to NZ when the boys were 8 and 10 and although the actual ski experience was not as good as Vail, they were such a great age for it.
Disneyland whilst they are little is something you should add to the list. I will never forget the look of joy on their little faces. Priceless!
I think the best Kids Club we have ever experienced would be in Maui. We stayed at The Montage Maui. It had a very impressive list of activities for the kids and even had a Rangers program, where they awarded merit badges to the children every time they accomplished a new activity.
I hope these tips are some help in making your next family holiday, a special time for you all!!
Love & Laughter,
Rebel x