How to holiday with mum and dad

1. Do a backpacker-style trip

Now you’re out of nappies, it’s the perfect time to plan a more challenging and adventurous trip. And when we say challenge, we don’t mean trying to make the biggest splash in the pool, we’re talking jungle treks, week-long cultural excursions and extreme sports, if you dare. You can even combine a relaxing hotel stay with an adventure tour to get the most out of your holiday booking. Our five-night Golden Triangle tour in Goa ticks off the Taj Mahal, the palaces and temples of Delhi, and Jaipur’s bustling markets. Or, after lazing on Phuket’s beaches, you can Discover Thailand on an eight-day excursion that takes you to Bangkok, the River Kwai and the jungles and temples of Chiang Mai. There’s also the four-night Costa Rica Cloudforest Tour that covers Monteverde Cloud Forest, the volcanic hot springs and a night time trip to the jungle. What better way to bond as a family than by hurtling through the forest on a zip-line or sailing along the River Kwai?

2. Travel further afield than ever before

Flying long-haul and adjusting to time differences and hot climates can be tricky when you’re a baby, but as an older clan you can venture out to far flung places without as much whining and complaining (we hope). Those Caribbean holidays that always seemed so unrealistic before are so much more accessible now, with hundreds more flights and duration options, plus an even bigger range of hotels. If you love a beach holiday, the white sand pristine shores of Barbados or Aruba are both perfect options. Or, if striking scenery is more your thing, you can explore the tropical jungles and exotic wildlife of St Lucia or Costa Rica. You can also take your pick from luxurious, relaxing resorts from our Platinum and Sensatori hotel collections.

3. See lots of places in one go

If you all can’t agree on where to go, there’s always the option of ticking off more than one place on your trip. A Thomson Cruise is ideal for this, as you can hop on and off as you please and see lots of different sites and cities – from dreamy Caribbean islands to famous European landmarks and snowy Nordic destinations. There’s plenty on the ship to keep everyone entertained too, from mini golf to climbing walls and even an Escape Rooms game. Or try a Twin Centre holiday so you get the best of both worlds – with lots of sightseeing and time to relax as well. In Cuba, you can combine relaxing beach-spot Varadero and lively Havana in one trip. Or, if you’re Morocco-bound, combine a stay in the heart of Marrakech near the chaotic main square with a quieter retreat near the old city walls.

4. Don’t all stick to the same schedule

Your parents might be first to the breakfast buffet while you’re enjoying a lie in, or the other way round. Luckily, as a grown-up family, you have the luxury of not spending every second of your day together and you don’t have to stick to the same strict itinerary. A resort with lots of activities to keep everyone happy, within walking distance of nearby towns and attractions, makes this even easier. Sensatori Resort Tenerife is a great option with plenty of activities on offer – there’s five pools, a sports hub, a beach and the Alcalá village right next door. Our collection of active Robinson holidays also offer countless classes, activities and entertainment options to keep everyone busy. Each resort has its own distinct personality and puts on around 70 classes per week – so there’s no danger of getting bored there.

5. Take lots of photos

This one sounds pretty obvious, of course you’re going to take lots of holiday snaps – just remember to make sure you’re in them, not just the scenery. There’s no better opportunity to add to the family album with some hilarious holiday snaps, and you can even try and recreate some of those retro childhood photos. Check out our article on the brand new way to photograph your holiday.

Ready to book that family trip?

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Author: Selina Akhtar