5 Tips for Travelling at Christmas

The month of December is upon us; Christmas is coming as is the inevitable stressful family get together.  At this time of year there isn’t anything better than spending time surrounded by our family but it can feel like a stressful situation here’s some tips for travelling and staying with extended family over this festive time. 

1) Organise ahead of time.

Christmas vacations are even harder to pack for than regulars ones.

With all those presents to remember make sure you leave plenty of time to pack, family holiday insurance should be sorted to relieve any possible dramas and be sure to wrap your gifts in advance so you can enjoy your time with your family as soon as you get to your destination.

2) Discuss ahead of time who is paying for what.

Avoid the awkwardness and arrange it ahead of time. If parents or grandparents are paying for the trip or putting everyone up show your appreciation by cooking a special meal or taking them out to eat. If you are the one putting everyone up or paying for the vacation make sure you tell everyone in advance exactly what you are willing to pay for, this will avoid any confusion. A great way to do this is to use a spread sheet that you share online.

3) Assign chores.

When holidaying with the whole family people tend to fall into their traditional roles. Children of the family (how ever old) tend to slip into that habit of leaving everything for their parents to do.  Just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean this should happen, everyone should have time to relax and not be constantly on his or her feet. Make a list of what has to be done each day and divide the responsibilities equally.

4) Don’t make it a tradition
It’s a definite temptation to make the Christmas holiday a tradition but making it annual can make what was a great experience turn into a holiday of resentment and more stress than fun. From year to year family situations can change and people have to visit the other sides of their family and new additions come in, so it may be better to make it every other year.

5) Always make time for yourself.

It doesn’t matter how close your family are it’s a pretty sure bet that you won’t all want to spend every minute together and that’s ok. Set aside some time each day to give yourself time to unwind and relax. Then make clear set times such as dinner, when everyone can rejoin the group and enjoy family time. 

Top 8 Winter Sun Destinations to Escape the Cold

While here in the UK winter has well and truly set in, elsewhere in the world it's heating up!

Thinking about escaping the cold climate? First you need to get organised, renew your annual travel insurance, dust off the trunks or bikini, find the scuba gear, and get yourself in the sunny frame of mind.

So shake off those winter blues and take a look at our top winter sun destinations.

1) South Africa Western Cape

South Africa’s Garden Route coastline is famous for its sheer natural beauty. Located between the Indian Ocean and the Outenigua Mountains, you can explore indigenous forests, giant yellow wood trees and beautiful flowers, and it’s a great place to explore by car. 

As well as the Garden Route, Cape Town has some fantastic beaches as well as some stunning scenery and incredible cuisine. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate and will be bathed in sunshine from October to March.

2) California

Great for a family holiday (don’t forget to get your family travel insurance before you leave) and known as the sunshine state, you’re sure to get some great weather. There’s so much to see from the cultural hub of San Francisco to the metropolitan madness of LA, there’s something for everyone.

Theme parks and beaches litter California and for the classic USA road trip, hire a convertible and hit the Pacific Coast road. State Route 1 runs 550 miles from Leggett all the way down to Malibu.

3) Bahamas

Bordering the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, Barbados is a tropical paradise all year round, with powdery white sand beaches, sparkling turquoise seas and clear blue skies. 

Barbados offers a wide variety of sights and activities that include everything from historic sites to tropical gardens and annual festivals and events. Green turtles and yellow-throated birds are some of the wonderful wildlife you can encounter. It’s a great place to go for a total de-stress and unwind.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, why not enter our competition to win a luxurious holiday to Barbados, thanks to our friends at Best At Travel and Elegant Hotels.

Win and you and a friend will stay 7 nights at Tamarind Resort on the west coast of Barbados. This gem of the Elegant Hotels group epitomises luxury holidaymaking and beachfront Bajan
style. 

The hotel features three excellent dining venues, including outdoor dining and lounge bar, and is complemented by a Sunday beach party blending freshly grilled favourites with swaying steel pan music. So enter now for you chance to win.

4) Laos

Laos is a mystical, historic mountainous haven. The city of Luang Prabang opened its doors to tourism in the 1980s and it’s a peaceful sanctuary for a winter getaway that has some amazing cuisine. 

Laos is so popular with tourists because of the relaxed style of living and for keeping the feel of the "original Asia" lost elsewhere. The weather system is relatively straight-forward compared with much of Asia; consisting of a dry season (October to late April) and a wet season (May to late September).

5) Sri Lanka

Located at the toe of India, Sri Lanka is a place that oozes culture. From its luscious cuisine to its fantastic traditional music, you can really get into experiencing a completely different culture. 

If beaches are your thing, there’s the coastal spots south of Colombo that have gorgeous and golden sand lapped by the Indian Ocean and there’s jungles to explore if your feeling more adventurous.

6) Bermuda

Although Bermuda is Caribbean in its climate and nature, it’s closer to the UK so not so long on the plane. The majority of Bermuda’s hotels can be found on the south shore of the island. 

With its pink beaches and vibrant coral reefs, it’s a great place for budding snorkelers. The Crystal caves are definitely worth a visit; you can explore the underground salt pools and impressive stalactites.

7) Thailand

For both backpackers and seekers of luxury a-like, Thailand is a great place for a winter break. The stunning landscape has so many hidden gems and the nightlife is legendary. 

With lots of companies now offering some great packages to Thailand that include a little bit of everything, it’s an ideal time to go have an adventure.

8) Canary islands

Want to go where it’s summer all year round? The Canary islands climate averages in the low 20s all year round and as well as the more well known islands (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote ) there are some beautiful, lesser known ones. La Palma is small, with a picturesque historic town, El Hierro which is a paradise for underwater diving, and the island of La Gomera, a great place to watch wildlife and explore the national park.

What’s your favourite winter sun destination to escape the cold?