How To Plan a Memorable Family Trip Itinerary

Organising a family holiday can be a formidable task, but with a little forethought, a carefully planned trip itinerary can take away the pain. You’ll find all the solutions you need in this step-by-step guide to enjoying memorable, relaxed and happy breaks with kids of all ages, from tiny tots to testing teens.

Why is planning (and sticking to) a family trip itinerary so important? A well-crafted travel schedule will help you make the most of your time away with efficient day-to-day planning, ensuring you all get to see and do everything you want without being rushed. Another advantage of setting a trip itinerary in advance is that you can save money on flights, public transport and accommodation costs. Even with the best forward planning, family holidays may not always be plain sailing. But planning trip itineraries in advance means less last-minute worries and more time for making precious memories with the most important people in your life.

First things first. Bearing in mind the ages and interests of your offspring (and your own, of course) decide together where you’d all like to go. Do some online research or seek inspiration from Pinterest. Other considerations include the weather, your budget – it’s always cheaper to visit somewhere off-season – how long you want to be away and how far you want to travel. Here are some practical tips for deciding where to go as a family:

• Establish expectations. Some family members may want plenty of activities, while others might prefer a more relaxed holiday – most destinations offer a combination of both. 
• Set a clear budget and timeline. This makes sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to where you can afford to go and how long for.
• Create a shared digital or physical folder for collecting ideas. Even if you don't use these ideas this time, they're ready to consider again for your next trip!

So you’ve decided where to go. Now the kids can help you plan the trip itinerary. Depending on their age, give them each a task or two. Here are some ideas:

For young children (ages 3-6)

• Use picture books or videos to introduce potential destinations
• Create a vacation countdown calendar together
• Let them pick specific activities from a curated list

For pre-teens (ages 7-12)

• Encourage them to research kid-friendly attractions at the destination
• Assign them specific planning tasks, such as creating a packing list
• Include them in discussions about daily schedules and the budget for their chosen activities

For teenagers (ages 13+)

• Give them responsibility for planning specific days, activities and age-appropriate entertainment
• Include them in budget discussions and transport planning
• Encourage them to research local culture, history and unique experiences

Listening to their suggestions and letting their interests guide you as you plan a trip itinerary will ensure happier kids on holiday. Involving the whole family in planning an unforgettable itinerary – with activities that interest everyone – will help foster a sense of responsibility in older children and build anticipation in their younger siblings.

When you plan a trip itinerary, organising flights in advance gives you a greater range of seat options, but air fares may be more expensive. Book flights about four to eight weeks ahead of departure for optimum deals. Conversely, reserve your accommodation well in advance to benefit from special offers.

Turn packing into a fun activity rather than a chore. Let younger children choose a few favourite toys or books to take with them in a small backpack, and encourage older kids to do their own packing, bearing in mind the weather and any specialist activities at your destination.

All that's left is to build up the excitement for your vacation! Here are some tried-and-tested ways to do just that:

• Create a visual countdown to departure, e.g. on a wall calendar
• Research local foods and try cooking them together
• Learn some basic phrases in the local language
• Watch travel shows or documentaries about the destination

When you plan a trip itinerary, you'll need to source a family-friendly hotel with facilities that match your needs. Can you book interconnecting rooms? Is there a kids’ club? Are the restaurants and rooms suitably child-friendly? Do your research thoroughly before committing to hotel stays.

At Novotel, you can book with confidence, make precious family memories and save on stays at the same time! Thanks to the Family Time programme, you’ll all have an unforgettable stay as Novotel hotels offer late check-out until 5pm on Sundays and dedicated play areas for younger guests. Many also have swimming pools, and all offer fantastic savings on family getaways: 

• Children up to the age of 16 have a free stay and breakfast when they share your room.
• Book an adjoining room for your children aged between 8 and 16 and save 50% on the price.
• Up to 2 children enjoy breakfast for free if they eat with their parents.
• Make more savings with an additional discount of up to 10% for ALL members.

Check out more inspiring family travel ideas in the Novotel Magazine, and take advantage of the excellent discounts for kids.