Last minute holidays with kids
Summer caught you off guard, without holiday plans? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Of course it is always good to plan everything well in advance in order to have more options and experience less stress, plus you may find some real, first-minute bargains. However, life is life; sometimes we don’t have time or energy to actually sit down to make an itinerary after a busy day. That’s not a problem – I am more than happy to make a last minute itinerary for your adventurous, family holiday, which will not be limited to all-inclusive, package holidays by a pool. There are plenty of opportunities for unforgettable summer travels with kids, even if you sit down to plan everything only in July or August 😉
Destination
Where would I like to go, and how much money can I spend? How do I want to spend my time there? Your answers to those basic questions will determine the destination. My experience is that often holidays abroad are more economical than those in your home country 😉 The question of your personal interests, hobbies, and lifestyle is of key importance here. I would choose something completely different for nature lovers enjoying the great outdoors, culture vultures preferring historic cities, fans of parties, music, and dance, those who relax best in secluded, quaint old towns… People like different things, such as water sports, hiking, tasting exquisite local cuisines… And what if you’re into big cities, architecture and art, but you would also like to relax on a beach? No big deal – holidays are the time to have it all 🧡
Next stop place to see in Rio is chosen from a bird’s eye view 😍
Time
Time and destination can be chosen in two ways. The first one is that we know we can and want to go, which determines the exact dates. Only then do we decide about where we want to go, which often depends on the weather 😉 The second way is that you can choose the dates freely, and go to your dream destination whenever the weather suits you best 🧡 Mind you, not everyone enjoys the summer heat and crowds, which are so common in Europe – luckily, it’s not that hard to avoid them. In the summer you can visit Northern Europe (Iceland, Lofoten) or the mountainous regions of South America (Peru, Chile). Moreover, depending on the exact destination, every season of the year offers perfect conditions for traveling!!
Koh-Lipe. Aside from main paths, paradise beach, no crowds and no heat waves - Thailand in autumn.
Journey and getting around
When it comes to getting to your dream holiday, everything depends on our preferences. Do your kids like flying, or do they prefer the car? How long is your holiday? Have you considered flying, and then renting a car, relying on taxis or local public transport? If you have less than a week in Europe, this is the option I recommend. Our continent is small enough to reach almost any place in less than four hours by plane, which is comfortable and saves time and energy. Nowadays finding cheap flights is not difficult, provided you do your research and know the rules 😊
Accommodation and food
You know best what you like in terms of accommodation and food. Do I actually enjoy big hotels with plenty of facilities – or do I prefer small, cozy boutique ones? Would I rather stay nearby all the major tourist attractions, or in a more quiet part of the city? It all depends on what we like and how we want to spend our time on holidays 😊 If you’re travelling with friends to spend every day by a pool, and party until early morning, perhaps you should consider renting a house and a car in a beautiful area. This solution is perfect for such regions as Crete or Tuscany! However, if you want to visit fascinating cities (such as Rome), choosing accommodation near major tourist attractions and facilities – not necessarily in the very center – might be better for you, especially if you’d like to experience the spirit and atmosphere of the place 🧡 And when it comes to food, I always recommend trying local cuisines. Choosing accommodation where breakfast is served or close to a café serving local delicacies is super convenient. Moreover, you should give local markets and bazaars a try – they are an inexhaustible source of culinary inspiration and a perfect option for a quick snack! 😊
Attractions
What do I want to experience while on holidays? What needs do I have? Those questions are of key importance. While planning a last minute holiday, we should first and foremost take into consideration our current dreams. If you need peace and quiet combined with beautiful views, you will choose a completely different destination than someone who wants extreme experiences and intensive exploration. However, in my experience what most people want is a mixture of the two: discovering the world with some quiet time (or dance music – it all depends!) and good food 🧡 Everyone is different, and the fact that we like to explore does not mean that we don’t need some quiet time to enjoy the moment. Perhaps this is the essence of experiencing new places and cultures 🧡 According to each person’s needs!
I always recommend taking out a good holiday insurance policy, but the rest really depends on you. If you’re planning a last minute holiday, there is no need to panic! It’s totally doable with a little bit of time and flexibility. Providing you have a positive attitude, we can juggle available options in order to choose the best mixture of destination, time, budget, and other preferences. This is how the perfect holiday itinerary is made! Even if you’re doing it last minute, making your dream holidays come true is within reach – also with kids. Following your dreams is always worthwhile 🧡
