Planning An Extended Family Holiday
Family reunions don’t happen very often- so when you do organise one you want to go off without a hitch. You need to appeal across the generations and secure a location that encourages family togetherness.
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.
Often setting your reunion in an area of natural beauty is a big help- some locations are surrounded by a beautiful backdrop with a plethora of activities to cater for visitors. Budget is also a factor when considering accommodation, activities and catering. Ideally it is a good idea for each family unit to be responsible for paying their own expenses to make it easier for some organisers. Groups may pool a kitty so incidental expenses are dealt with.
If you can, choose a central location- somewhere that relatives can meet half way. With accommodation, ideally search for somewhere that gives each family or couple their own space to retreat to with lots of common areas that all ages can interact. Check that there are ground floor units available in case someone has mobility issues, and highchairs and cots available for little ones. It is good to have 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.
In the same way, your group needs a range of activities to choose from. Certainly, organised day tours are an option for large groups of people – the fact that they provide meals is a bonus too. It is good to balance these with some free activities e.g. fishing, beach swimming, bushwalking, picnics and visits to areas of natural beauty. A game of soccer, badminton or touch football is a great way to mix with relatives you haven’t seen in a while – make sure there are options to include some physical activity in your holiday. Some of the group may want to include some extreme adventures – and mark the event with a sky dive for instance. Others may prefer to keep to activities for the whole family and pop on a boat, visit the playground or 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 here at Rainbow Getaway, for your next no fuss- all fun family event, 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.
