Make sure you have insurance in place

When planning your next Christmas holiday, chances are that insurance policies are the last thing you want to be worrying about. However, travelling without insurance is simply not worth the risk, especially if you travel with children. Also, extreme and unpredictable winter weather might mean that your fight is delayed or cancelled altogether. Minimize the risks of disruption by ensuring that you have travel and medical insurance in place, so that you can focus on enjoying your time away.

Book a package holiday

As a family, finding an affordable yet fun holiday option is surely one of your priorities. The best way to end your year is to have great package holidays with your family. Relaxing in a perfect destination with your loved ones is truly a great experience, which is why choosing the right accommodation package is essential. Remember that you can still personalise some aspects of a package holiday, so that your next Christmas trip is precisely what you and your family are after.

Book your family holiday online

Have you waited until the last minute to choose a destination for your next family winter break? If you have, don’t panic, as this could actually be a good thing. Many tour operators offer fantastic last-minute deals that can only be booked online. There are even specialist travel comparison sites where you can learn about the latest deals and read the reviews left by other families.

Consider a staycation

Staycations began to be popular as the income of families around the world was affected by the financial crisis. However, there are reasons other than just finances that make a staycation a great option this winter. In the first place, there is a lot less stress involved, both for you and for your children, as there are no language barriers or unfamiliar food and drinks. Moreover, staycations are a great opportunity to appreciate the diversity of your own country, especially if you arrange a home exchange with another family.

But what about destinations? You may be asking. Here are some interesting ideas for your next Christmas family holiday.

Enjoy the Winter Sun in Egypt

Egypt is a great medium-haul destination for families looking for a change of scenery. Flights take barely 5 hours to reach el Cairo, where you can book a package holiday that includes tours to the Pyramids and to the old town markets. And why not take the standards Nile river cruise further this Christmas and treat your family to a cruise that goes all the way to fascinating Luxor?

A waterway winter holiday in the UK

With more than 2,000 miles of waterways, the UK is the perfect place to take your family on a winter canal boat holiday. Picture yourself waking up in a cosy boat anchored at a picture-perfect marina, taking a day trip to a nearby Christmas market, or enjoying some mulled wine in the comfort of your own boat. Some recommendations include the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Norfolk Broads, and the Caledonian Canal.

A trip to Santa’s homeland

Since it’s Christmas time, why not put a smile on your kid’s faces by taking them to visit Santa in his own home? Lapland holidays are not only great for children, but also for adults, as you can relax in traditional Finnish saunas, watch the Northern Lights, and go on a fun snowmobile safari at night as a family.

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Having decided to spend your holiday in the Mediterranean, you really are spoilt for choice, since there’s something for every taste and budget. If you are travelling with children, a good option is a beach club. Club Vounaki in Greece is a state-of-the-art resort that boasts perfect sailing conditions for anyone wanting to experience any number of water sports under the watchful eyes of qualified instructors. There’s a wide range of land activities too, including tennis, mountain biking, a gym and an adult-only pool. With childcare provided on-site, you couldn’t ask for a better family destination.

If you’re looking for excitement and an experience you simply can’t get anywhere else, Egypt is the place for you. Diving in Alexandria is the ultimate adventure you should not miss if you want an unforgettable holiday. There are dives to suit all levels of ability and you will find yourself deep in an underground world of times long past. The modern day harbour hosts the submerged City of Cleopatra, where you can explore ancient buildings first hand and imagine what life must have been like thousands of years ago. You can also discover multiple shipwrecks dating all the way from ancient times to the Second World War.

There are many other exceptional activities you should try as you explore the Mediterranean like exploring the coastlines of this region or kite surfing in Tarifa, Spain–Europe’s most southern port town. Situated on the Strait of Gibraltar, it is a top destination for kite surfers, thanks to the strong winds generated through the Strait.

If you want to visit Greece but are put off by package holiday deals, an unusual way to explore the Greek islands is to sail yourself between them. There are many holidays available where you can lean to sail in the first week before taking the helm of your boat and wending your way around the waters. Much more rewarding than bedding down in a hotel at night.

The Mediterranean has so much more to offer than just water sports, however. The French island of Corsica is dubbed “the mountain in the sea” and has multiple challenges to offer the aspiring mountaineer. Climb along the famous GR20 trail or try your hand at ice climbing within a stone’s throw of the ocean. There are many climbs that overhang the sea if you’re looking for something different – one false step and you fall into the water. Still relatively unknown as a climbing destination, Corsica has over 50 peaks higher than 2,000 metres, plenty to keep you occupied for years to come.

There’s so much to see and do in the Mediterranean that the hardest part is deciding where to start. One thing’s for sure, though: once you’ve experienced the delights of the region, you won’t want to leave and you’ll find yourself coming back time and again to discover more about this incredible corner of the globe.

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All-inclusive holidays are the staple British trip abroad. They’re low-budget and hassle-free in the sense that most things are already paid for by the time you arrive. More and more resorts in far-flung destinations like the Caribbean and Central America are offering deals to beach front villas and family resorts for discount prices.

For those who feel spoilt for choice, here are some of the best spots to find affordable holidays this year:

When the party season hits the islands of Ibiza and Cyprus, you can find a quieter but no less idyllic holiday spot in nearby Portugal. Home to beautiful coastlines, relaxing resorts and characterful towns, this country’s popularity as a package destination continues to grow.

For example, there are plenty of family-oriented lodgings in the southern region of the Algarve, with its award-winning sands and water-sports opportunities. Off the coast, Madeira is popular with the retired community, offering a more peaceful island break and 4 and 5-star hotel deals all year round. Travel a bit further north and you’ll find hillside vineyards for the port-lovers and the ‘Green Coast’ which is a favourite among surfers and scuba-divers. Apartment deals in and around Porto make this a good choice for couples and groups of friends.

Mexico is popular worldwide for its stunning coastal scenery, mouthwatering food and exciting nightlife. The most visited spots are Cancun and Acapulco, and it’s in these place that you’ll find the best tourist deals and palm-lined resorts.

Isla de Cozumel just off the coast has some fantastic snorkelling waters and the chance to spot exotic marine life like sea turtles and bottle-nose dolphins. Many packages can include trips and activities such as these. For a more relaxed atmosphere, the Baja California Peninsula in the west is home to the twin resorts Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos, which are popular with the younger crowd. Golf and tennis fans head to the Riveria Maya with its Caribbean coast and close proximity to renowned heritage sites like Chichen Itza.

Below the Mediterranean sea, the north coast of Africa has blistering temperatures, ancient cultural sights and crystal clear waters. Egypt can offer the most varied of trips: sunbathe on the beach one day, visit some of the wonders of the ancient world the next. Increasingly, holiday packages to Egypt include river cruises along the Nile, excursions into the desert and tours of the Great Pyramid at Giza itself.

Sharm El Sheikh offers world-class diving amongst the famous coral reefs and plentiful spa resorts, while Luxor makes a good spot for the cultured crowd, with its mix of temples, bazaars and Tutankhamun’s Tomb a short distance away. A consistently hot climate makes Egypt popular for holidays and a wise choice for a winter break to take advantage of the value for money.

As the current economic climate continues, it’s easier than ever to find an all-inclusive package deal to suit you. Whether it’s the white sands of Mexico, the wonders of Egypt or the wines of Portugal, shop around or travel off-peak and you may be surprised at how much you can get for your money.

Catriona Miller is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys the convenience of package holidays. While many like to get off the beaten track, Catriona prefers to take it easy and pay for the majority of her trips in advance. From soaking up the sun on tropical beaches to exploring hidden villages using organised day trips, she loves getting away from the UK weather!

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