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Jo Thoenes

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Jo Thoenes: Advice on planning a family holiday

Advice on planning a family holiday

BBC Radio Oxford - Jo Thoenes, Advice on planning a family holiday

Get some great ideas on top destinations and tips on how to travel with the family.

Planning a family holiday this year?  Niall Douglas from Full Circle Travel in Wallingford has travel advice

FAMILY HOLIDAY TRENDS
All Inclusive
•	Massive move towards all inclusive holidays.  First Choice now 100% all inclusive
•	12 months ago many hotels did not offer AI.  Now most do – always ask as it can be the best value
•	Both summer and ski holidays – all inclusive puts cost control on the holiday and may appear expensive on the outset but can save a lot of money
•	A good selection of tour operators such as Club Med, First Choice & Ski Esprit.  We have noted a big growth in this sector.
Cruise
•	Ties in with all inclusive as most cruises are essentially all inclusive.
•	Incredible array of facilities including ice rinks, waterslides and standing waves.
•	Big increase in cruises departing from the UK so great value, stress free option. 
•	Themed cruises – Disney.  Nickelodeon on NCL.  Characters etc.
•	Great way to see multiple destinations and know that the kids are going to be thoroughly entertained
Soft Adventure and Long Haul 
•	Families wanting more than just a beach holiday
•	Borneo, Costa Rica, Oman, Morocco, Alps etc.  Mixing activities with relaxation
•	Many ex backpackers now wanting to take families to where they travelled e.g. Thailand, Cambodia etc.  Even Everest family treks.
•	Exposing children to different cultures.

FAMILY HOLIDAY TIPS
There are so many facilities in place to ease the burden of family holidays.  
Planning
•	Book early to get choice of best flights, hotels and rooms you want
•	Try to plan single flight and short transfer
•	If going longhaul, try to get overnight flights
•	See if you can join frequent flyer programs as it can allow seat selection in advance – children under 16 are not permitted to sit in emergency exit seats.
Enroute/at the airport
•	If flying early consider staying overnight.  Includes parking and can be cheaper.
•	Buy priority boarding where possible and check-in online if you can
•	Consider valet parking.  May cost more but worth more than weight in gold!
•	Allow extra time as dashing around with children is incredibly stressful
•	If you have a buggy, it must be checked in but you can usually take it to the gate
•	If they helped pack – double check!!
•	Pack a bag of activities/snacks as it can take a while especially if any delays
•	Book an airport lounge – allows 3 hours escape from the mayhem.  Many have rooms for the kids and include drinks and snacks.
On board
•	To save costs, children under 2 can travel on laps but consider the flight time and whether the cost outweighs the discomfort etc
•	Most short haul flights do not have entertainment so laptop with movie can be a blessing.
•	Make sure favourite teddies etc are accessible as you may not be able to get them down for some time after takeoff. 
•	Sweets can help with air pressure but save them for takeoff.
•	Activity bags are a godsend again.  Some airlines provide activity packs but they are usually limited.
•	Set watches to local destination time and try to sleep when you would there – helps with adjustment
•	On arrival, admin can take some time such as passports, car hire etc so make sure again you have drinks, snacks and activities.

FAMILY DESTINATION IDEAS
Christmas/New Year & February Half Term
Where’s best?
South Africa, The Maldives, The Canaries, Kenya, Oman, Dubai, The Gambia, Cape Verde Islands, Goa, Sri Lanka and The Caribbean

Worth Considering
Mauritius (very humid and some heavy rainfall)
The Med & The Algarve (good days will be warm but expect some bad weather also).
________________________________________

Easter
Where’s Best?  
Florida, The Caribbean, The Canaries, Egypt, Portugal, The Maldives, Oman, Dubai & The Gambia

Worth Considering
The Med (unreliable weather)
________________________________________

May Half Term
Where’s Best?
The Med, Greek Islands, The Algarve, Morocco, Tunisia, Florida, The Caribbean, Bermuda & The Gambia

Worth Considering
Middle East & Egypt (getting very hot)
The Maldives (strictly the wet season but a year round destination in reality)
________________________________________

Summer
Where’s Best?
Mauritius, Bermuda, The Med, Portugal, Greek Islands & The Seychelles

Worth Considering
Caribbean (hurricane season but good value)
________________________________________

October Half Term
Where’s best?
Cyprus, The Algarve, Southern Greece, Mauritius, Morocco, Cape Verde Islands, Dubai

Worth Considering
Seychelles (a few rainy days)
Caribbean (towards end of hurricane season)

Plus Jo meets John Terry, Director of Chipping Norton Theatre and finds out why he felt drawn to life in the theatre, and why he's organised the Something For the Weekend event in theatres around Oxfordshire.

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