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<\/p>\nMore and more countries are opening their borders and doing away with quarantine requirements, and many Singaporeans are excitedly beginning to plan their next trip with the family. Here are some tips to help you alleviate the stress of planning a family vacation!<\/p>\n
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Not necessarily! People have the notion that family holidays are costly because you have to pay for more people, but that really depends on your choices. One budget-friendly tip is to book your holidays early to take advantage of better prices – you already know the school schedule in advance.<\/p>\n
And why not visit destinations that are in \u2018low\u2019 season? These places would be friendlier for the pocket compared to more popular seasonal destinations. There are some countries that are \u2018low\u2019 season during the traditional \u2018high\u2019 season period \u2013 for example, Bhutan is \u2018low\u2019 season during summer as most tourists prefer to visit the country during fall and spring. Low season prices will generally be lower across the board \u2013 from accommodations to meals, flight tickets and even fees to tourist sites.<\/p>\n
To get the best deals, always do your research: check online for the best deals and search for sites that offer valuable advice and tips for a budget friendly family holiday. Online forums and Facebook groups are also great for getting more info and advice from other families.<\/p>\n
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The solution? Pick a destination that doesn\u2019t require hours of flight time, or a long journey to get to your hotel or resort. Long flight times mean cranky, moody kids. Stick to short flights (3-4 hours at most) or flights with stopovers to let the kids stretch their legs a bit.<\/p>\n
Tip: make sure to always check-in online; this will make the process at the airport much easier.<\/p>\n
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…only if you plan and schedule them that way!<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re packing too many activities and events in your itinerary, you will probably be stressed out trying to keep to the plan. A good rule of thumb is to have generous time slots for each activity and session \u2013 especially when you have kids in tow.<\/p>\n
Holidays are a great opportunity to slow down your clock and learn to enjoy and experience at a slower pace \u2013 you may just reap better rewards!<\/p>\n
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A major bugbear for parents holidaying with young kids is how to keep them occupied and entertained, especially when there\u2019s a lot of travelling time involved. Besides sing-a-long sessions and games where everyone can join in, check out these fun and educational kid-friendly travel apps: www.happyplacehunters.com\/17-kid-friendly-travel-apps<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n If your kids love reading, sign up for a Storytel<\/span><\/a> account and get access to over 250,000 audiobooks and ebooks, which you can download on your device before your flight.<\/p>\n SAFRA members enjoy 30 days’ free trial on Storytel for new subscribers. Find out more at www.safra.sg\/promotions\/storytel-sg<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n They wouldn\u2019t be if you\u2019re planning and making all the decisions for the holidays based on you and your partner\u2019s preferences, or what you think is best for the family.<\/p>\n Get the kids involved in the planning as well: get their feedback and take into account their likes and dislikes. If your kids aren\u2019t sure of what to expect from the trip, show them YouTube videos or Instagram accounts of the destinations and tourist attractions. This will help them come to a decision.<\/p>\n Not everyone can get what they wish for during the trip, so negotiating and some give-and-take helps to make sure everyone is agreeable to the itinerary.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, family holidays mean less or no \u2018me\u2019 time. But you can still carve out some private moments for yourself or for you and your spouse with some clever planning. If your hotel or resort has a kid\u2019s centre, leave them there with the minders for a few hours to do some personal shopping or spa treatments on your own!<\/p>\n Or you can plan with your spouse to take turns taking care of the kids; she can bring them to the amusement park while you go off and have your own \u2018me\u2019 time. Do the same for her when it\u2019s her turn.<\/p>\n They can be if you\u2019re going to the usual hotspots. But you can also have a great holiday at less touristy places that are off the beaten track \u2013 the countryside instead of cities, seaside coves instead of crowded beaches.<\/p>\n And these less popular locales will probably be cheaper and have less crowds which is a big plus during these times. Beautiful rural destinations with gorgeous outdoor landscapes and spaces \u2013 think farm stays! \u2013 may also be a lot more fun for kids than theme and amusement parks. And they\u2019re probably way cheaper!<\/p>\n Not necessarily. Family package deals are great for convenience and ease-of-mind, and when things go awry, the agency will be on hand to help you deal with the issues. But they aren\u2019t necessarily the best deals. Some of the offerings may not suit your family\u2019s needs and preferences. And if you wish to have some special items and services, you would probably have to pay for the add-ons.<\/p>\n You can always start with a more affordable basic package and customise it by paying for add-ons you prefer. Check online whether you can get the same package offerings with different vendors and sites.<\/p>\nKids aren’t enthusiastic about the holiday<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThere’s no me-time during family vacations<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nPopular tourist spots are expensive<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nPackage deals are best<\/span><\/h3>\n
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