Easter Escapes: Family Travel Made Easy

Hey, it's Sam from Support. Advise. Manage.!

Welcome to our hub for all things life management, and our first ever blog post. We are here to make your life easier, whether you're planning your dream holiday or just trying to stay on top of your daily to-do list. With our combined expertise in personal assistance and travel coordination, we're all about giving you back some much-needed breathing room.

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Preparing for Easter Holiday Travels with Your Family

As the Easter holidays approach, it's the perfect time to start preparing for your getaway to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience – particularly if there are kids involved! In this blog post, we'll delve into invaluable tips, tricks, and reminders to help you prepare for a memorable Easter break, and also highlight some of the services we offer to make your life that little less stressful.

Tips, Tricks & Reminders for Stress-Free Family Travels

• Preparation is Key: Start by getting your packing sorted well in advance. Get your clothes out now to check you have everything you need – this is particularly important in the case of children who may well have grown out of clothes since their last holiday! It is also useful to keep an eye on the long-term weather forecast in your destination to pack accordingly. A shopping trip might be necessary to fill any gaps in your holiday wardrobe.

• Luggage Restrictions: Familiarise yourself with airline luggage restrictions to avoid excess fees. Pay attention to both checked luggage weight and dimensions for hand luggage.

• Check-In: You will need to provide Advanced Passenger Information, such as passport details, to your airline in advance of your trip – you can normally do these immediately after you have booked your flight. It is also useful to take advantage of early check-in options offered by airlines (some allow early check in up to 30 days before the flight) to avoid last-minute hassles.

• Feeding Essentials: If you have infants (in particular those who are still taking formula), plan ahead for feeding arrangements.

  • We had a terrible experience on one of our first trips abroad with our baby, resulting in all of our baby bottles melting into unusable piles of plastic in a very high power microwave whilst attempting to sterilise. I would recommend taking sterilising tablets as they are small & light to pack, and means you will avoid this disastrous situation we found ourselves in!

  • Familiar equipment like Tommee Tippee perfect prep machines or bottle warmers can be a lifesaver – however, consider how easily these can be transported and if you will need extra luggage allowance to account for them in your suitcase.

  • Many parents opt to use bottled water to make up formula when abroad, as it is normally considered safer than tap water. The NHS recommend that the sodium (Na) level is less than 200 milligrams (mg) per litre, and the sulphate (SO or SO4) content is not higher than 250mg per litre when using bottled water to make formula.

• Transportation Considerations: Plan how you'll get around your destination, especially from the airport to your accommodation. You could consider taking your own car seat (most airlines allow 2 pieces of baby equipment to be checked in for free), pre-arranging private transfers with a car seat provided, or booking an ‘Uber with car seat’ option when you arrive at your destination.

• In-Flight Entertainment: Prepare entertainment options for the flight, such as downloading movies/music on tablets/phones beforehand or buying travel-friendly toys for your children. Quiet and compact toys such as sticker books or fidget spinners (I have seen some excellent ones that suction to the aeroplane window) will help keep children entertained.

• Accommodation: if you have not yet booked accommodation, it is worthwhile considering the benefits & drawbacks of each option. All-inclusive hotels may be best for teenagers who will be asking for ice creams/drinks every 5 minutes, whereas self-catering options such as Airbnb with kitchen facilities provide added convenience when it comes to preparing milk & food for young children. Having your own self-catering accommodation also often provides more flexibility with regards to sleeping arrangements when travelling with children.

How Support. Advise. Manage. Can Enhance Your Holiday Experience

At Support. Advise. Manage., we're dedicated to enhancing every aspect of your holiday experience. Our comprehensive range of services includes:

• Tailored Excursions: We'll arrange excursions tailored to your preferences, interests, physical fitness and the ages of your children, ensuring every moment of your holiday is filled with memorable experiences.

• Detailed Itineraries: Leave the planning to us as we put together detailed itineraries outlining your daily activities, excursions, and dining plans, allowing you to relax and enjoy your holiday to the fullest.

• Personalised Dining Recommendations: Whether you're a food enthusiast or have dietary restrictions, we'll review dining options and provide personalised recommendations to satisfy your culinary cravings during your travels.

• Comprehensive Travel Packs: Our travel packs include all the essential documentation and confirmations for your holiday, from hotel bookings to boarding passes, ensuring you have everything you need at your fingertips.

• Local Insights: Our local guides offer invaluable insights into your destination, highlighting must-see attractions, hidden gems, and practical tips to make the most of your time away.

Looking beyond the Easter holidays, we are here to assist with all your future travel plans. From booking your dream getaway to providing destination options tailored to your preferences and budget, we're committed to making your travel dreams a reality.

Experience the difference with Support. Advise. Manage., and embark on a journey of unparalleled adventure and relaxation. Contact us today to begin planning your next unforgettable escape.