Choosing a holiday

• July 3, 2008
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Kids

Getting away on a family holiday is as easy as picking a destination and packing, right? The truth is, whether it's camping, a week at the beach, or an overseas holiday - careful planning will make the holiday memorable for all the right reasons.

Often, every member of the family will have different ideas on what they want from a holiday. Compromise may be the key to ensuring that everyone is happy with the final choice and planning now will save you a lot of time. Begin by writing a list of what everyone wants, and go from there. With babies and small children, consider the options that make a holiday easier and more enjoyable for them, as well as for you

Camping
Camping is a great family holiday. Children from toddler-age find it a real adventure and a huge learning experience. But if you have never been camping before you can save yourself a great deal of trouble and expense by hiring or borrowing most of the equipment you need. You will also enjoy the experience more if you go with another family who are experienced campers.  Some families like to return to the same camping grounds each year, and often get to know other families doing the same.

Making a list of everything you will need is crucial - setting up camp and finding you don't have anything to boil water in for that much-longed for cup of coffee or tea is not a good start. With camping, little things can make all the difference for a comfortable holiday. For example, a transportable cot can keep babies and toddlers in a safe spot while preparing meals, but you can also go overboard and pack too much - another reason for a thorough list!

Many campsites offer cabins as well as camping grounds and this could be an alternative for your family. Check the facilities a campsite offers. There are camping grounds with playgrounds, pools and all facilities but standards vary so it's important to check the site's rating, or go on recommendation. (The NRMA has a Tourist Park Guide which gives star ratings to most camp and caravan sites). Continued...

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