Planning An Extended Family Holiday

Family reunions are a rarity- so when you do plan one you want it to be a success. You need to appeal across all ages and find a location that brings the family together.

Whether it is a milestone birthday or anniversary, a weekend away, combined family holiday or a long planned for reunion it is great choosing somewhere that everybody has to travel to. That way it isolates your get together as the event everyone is there for. Plus it means that not any one family is dumped with all the responsibility of the occasion.

Some locations are surrounded by a beautiful backdrop with a range of activities to cater for visitors- so make it easy on yourself and set your reunion in an area of natural beauty. Consider your budget when deciding on accommodation, activities and catering. Groups may pool a kitty so incidental expenses are dealt with however, it is a good idea for each family unit to be responsible for paying their own expenses to make it easier for organisers.

Meet somewhere half way. there are a few points to consider with accommodation: – ideally search for somewhere that gives each family or couple their own space to retreat to – lots of common areas that all ages can interact – ground floor units available in case someone has mobility issues – highchairs and cots available for little ones. Ensure there is a range of accommodation to suit couples through to family groups.

Covered BBQ areas preferably overlooking playgrounds, pools or gardens make your days much easier and relaxed. Determine well beforehand how meals will be catered for. Plan nights for a meal out or fish and chips on the beach, perhaps with a girls’ night out and boys’ visit to the pub. Self contained accommodation is ideal as it gives more flexibility with budgets and meal options. At our last reunion, each family took turns catering for a different meal: we even had a system for the group catering for the kids snack times. The grandparents were also supplied with an in house “meals on wheels”- so it meant they rarely catered for themselves.

Schedule your time so everyone can do their own thing. Of the families, not everyone will want to be involved in group outings all the time. Ensure the location has easier meal options a stroll away so the group can go their separate ways- preferably to an assortment of restaurants, cafes and takeaway options. Book ahead for group meals out- in case the venue is busy on the day.

Certainly, organised day tours are an option for large groups of people – the fact that they provide meals is a bonus too. Plan well as your group needs a range of activities to choose from. It is good to balance these with some free activities e.g. fishing, beach swimming, bushwalking, picnics and National Parks. Make sure there are options to include some physical activity in your holiday – game of soccer, badminton or touch football is a great way to mix with relatives you haven’t seen in a while. Extreme adventures may appeal to some – see what is on offer. Family activities will appeal to the majority so leave time for a boat trip, playground visit or to see some native animals.

Although one or two family members takes the lead on organisation, it is good to poll the whole family to determine dates, locations, venues, activities and catering. Go with the majority – but be sure to make it easy for the organisers to pull it all together.

All this and more is available at Rainbow Getaway, for your next no fuss- all fun family reunion, big or small, with family activities for all ages and abilities. Share this with your relations to get them thinking – for the best beach holiday or reunion. Free reprint avaialable from: Planning An Extended Family Holiday.