planning a family holiday overseas How To be prepared

These are 10  tips for the children's enjoyment and parents sanity on holiday. I recommend these after taking numerous trips and seeing families suffer because the kids are bored. parents stressed because everyone had a different expection of the holiday.

Paphos for child-friendly facilities
Algarve to keep the kids busy
Pportaventura for family adventure
Disney theme parks offer character-based fun

1.Decide what type of holiday would suit the whole family, search on the net and find out which company offer the best services for familys and keeping children entertained,provide creche facilities, baby sitting services,holiday clubs action packed holidays are the best for child orientated holidays.make sure there is and ample activity programme planned for the kids too.

2.If money is an issue look for child free places. All inclusive are exceptional value as kids can eat as much ice cream as they want to snacks all round and drinks included too choose a 3* star plus room for added comfort.

3. Take out insurance and make sure you are covered for everything including taking extra insurance out for any illness you or any member of your family have already the last thing you need with a family is a hefty bill you cannot pay afterwards.

4.Make sure every thing is included in the price including any transfers, pay for everything before you go check and double check dates when you get the tickets etc and ring them up if they dont arrive  make sure the holiday is covered by abta or similar before hand in case they have to cancel or you could lose your money.check tiprs out and about are covered in the holiday price

5.take a small alarm clock and batteries as we nearly missed our transport back once.plus book in an early morning wakke up call if your transfer isan early arrangement.

6.what Clothes for the kids  extra t shirts a few pairs of denim,1 cardigans in case it gets chilly when they walk home from the entertainment room at night a few shorts, 2 sets of swim wear, 2 sets of towels plus 1 or 2 best clothes.

7. a rain coat, trainers and sandals, sandals for beach trainers for playing.Trainers Clog up with sand and can be uncomfortable for kids.best shoes 1 pair each if you need them.

8. Take fancy dress costumes or take things you can make them with when you get there its is great fun cheering your child on in a competition they could have prepared for in advance in order to be in with a chance to win a prize. If they go to the local disco club pack an outfit so they can show off their skills at the the dancing competitions.It Is better for a child to be excited and joining in than being miserable because they wernt prepared. Take backing tapes cds and sheet music for any karaoke fans.

9.pack away a bag each and fill it with goodies for the plaine trip but don't show the children until you have to. Put in packs of playing cards, small games,writing sets, colouring sheets  etc things the whole family can do incase of cancelled games in the club and rainy days.give snacks if allowed to

10.Take a travel pack of washing liquid so you can wash a few things in the sink,pack plasters,kids paracetamol (and for adults).check on the country guidelines befoe you go some countries do not allow certain drugs in.