Going on an international trip with your family can be one of the best ways to forge lasting bonds. Whether you are taking the kids, elderly parents, or an extended family group, a family holiday can be incredibly fun. However, to ensure everyone stays safe and everything goes smoothly, there are a few important considerations to bear in mind. Don’t forget to get international travel insurance as well, so you’re prepared for unexpected situations.
Here is a guide to make your foreign trip hassle-free and memorable.
1. Take Extra Care of Important Documents
Make sure all passports have enough pages left for immigration stamps and are valid for at least six months beyond your holiday dates. If any passport is about to expire, get it renewed in advance. Check the visa regulations for your destination; make sure you complete any necessary procedures ahead of time or have the required documents for a visa on arrival. It’s wise to scan all important documents and save soft copies on multiple devices. Carry photocopies as a backup.
2. Consider Medications and Immunisations
Check if the country you’re visiting requires specific immunisations for travellers. Some countries may only require them for children or senior citizens. Carry medicines for common ailments like indigestion, nausea, muscle pain, etc. A first-aid kit is essential, along with any medications or allergy shots for those with specific health conditions. For particular medications or equipment, ensure you have prescriptions from your doctor. Also, pack hand sanitiser, wet wipes, and toilet seat disinfectants for hygiene purposes.
3. Choose Suitable Accommodation
Select accommodation based on the number of people travelling. Look for places with enough bedrooms, bathrooms, and living space. Serviced apartments and hostels are often more affordable and practical than hotels. If elderly family members are travelling with you, check if the property is accessible and includes safety features such as rails and non-slip floors. If the accommodation has balconies or terraces, ensure they are secure, especially for children. If you don’t plan to dine out every day, consider properties with kitchen access or facilities such as hotplates and microwaves to prepare easy meals.
4. Be Smart with Packing
While everyone will want to take different things, avoid packing too many non-essentials so you can travel light. Use packing cubes to organise your belongings and ensure toiletries are easily accessible. Earplugs, sleep masks, family games, e-readers, toys and colouring books for children, and healthy snacks will make the trip more comfortable. Download offline movies and music to keep everyone entertained. Don’t forget chargers, adapters, and power banks to keep your devices powered.
5. Fit in Both Adult and Kid Activities
For a family vacation to be enjoyable for everyone, make sure to plan a mix of activities. You can visit an art museum in the morning and then head to an amusement park, or go hiking during the day and enjoy a concert in the evening. A picnic in a beautiful garden, a safari tour, or a cable car ride can be thrilling for all. Ask each family member to share their ideas and preferences, including the children, so no one feels left out.
6. Rest and Reflect
Travelling with people of different ages and needs requires time to relax and recharge. Schedule breaks every day or at least alternate days to avoid exhaustion, especially if you’re travelling to a different time zone. Don’t overload your itinerary with too many activities. Ensure that everyone gets enough sleep, and take time to unwind with a board game or treat yourselves to ice cream or cookies. Share stories about the day’s experiences, and encourage children to journal or put together a scrapbook with their favourite memories.
7. Avail Comprehensive International Travel Insurance
Despite how well-planned your trip is, emergencies can arise without warning. Ensure you have a family travel insurance policy that covers you financially against accidents, sudden hospitalisation, medical evacuations, lost passports, trip cancellations, missed flights, delayed baggage, and more. Holistic international travel insurance plans often also cover urgent accommodation needs in case of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes. Be sure to compare different providers and make an informed choice about the best policy for your family’s needs.
Conclusion
In addition to following the tips above and purchasing international travel insurance, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research about your destination (culture, safety tips, local food, public transport, etc.) and book flights and accommodation well in advance. Get the kids involved whenever possible, and assign them simple tasks to encourage independence. Teach them what to do if they get separated from you in a busy area. Lastly, remain flexible and open to changes in the itinerary.
