Combining a family holiday with good friends and their kids is a very tempting concept, especially when it's being discussed over a glass of wine at a barbecue. But make sure it's well planned, otherwise toes can be trodden on or worse — friendships damaged.
Whether it's a budget-friendly camping trip or sharing a beachfront mansion — here are our tips to help ensure that family friends, who holiday together, stay together.
1. Get the time and place right
School holidays, annual leave, events, commitments — synching a holiday together may seem like mission impossible at first. Be prepared to negotiate and compromise before settling on a suitable window of opportunity.
Choosing a destination that has something for everyone will make for a smooth sailing stay.
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Beach destinations will appeal to kids of all ages, and are perfect for families with young kids.
- Primary school-age kids will enjoy farmstays and won't say 'no' to a theme park.
- Activity holidays (skiing, hiking) will work well for high school-age kids.
And don't forget to factor in the climate; several bodies sharing a house in the tropics during wet season may end in more harm than just cabin fever.
2. Agree on a budget
Money can be a delicate subject among friends, but now is no time for polite dodging of dollar figures. To avoid awkward conversations later, make sure you all have the same expectations up front on what you're happy to spend. The key is to keep your money monitoring simple and transparent — without being a painful penny-counter.
Before you leave:
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Discuss the type of stay you're picturing: five-star and fancy or sleeping under the stars?
- Agree on a rough daily budget and how you'll split costs like the food bill or petrol.
- Talk about how often you expect to be eating out and where — will it be fine dining most nights or a one-off visit to the local RSL?
When you're there:
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Put together a kitty and replenish it when required, and make it clear what kitty covers; or
- Keep a tally of unplanned costs — like ice-creams for the kids or bait for beach fishing — and even out the cost at the end of the holiday.
3. Select your accommodation wisely
If you're renting a house to share, your accommodation is what could really make or break the holiday. Before booking, get a copy of the floor plan and pictures from the letting agent or online. Then look at the specifics:
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What are the bedding configurations? Who is going to share with whom?
- Are there adequate common amenities such as bathrooms and living areas?
- Is it a fair split of everyone's payment?
- How safe is it for the kids — is the pool fenced? Is it near a major road?
- Can it cater to your needs? Is there an ample kitchen with sufficient place settings and enough seating?
4. Make it a team effort
By involving everyone in the planning and decision making process, it's more likely to be fair and agreeable, with even expectations. Invite your friends over to peruse destination and accommodation options on the internet together and make a shortlist. Discussing it face to face makes it easier to sound out ideas and air concerns early on.
Even on holiday, there are chores to do and responsibilities to manage. Share the load by agreeing on a rough roster — for meal preparation, cleaning-up duty, child-supervision or shopping for supplies.
5. Keep the kids happy
One of the joys of holidaying with another family is that the kids can have a ball entertaining each other. A bit of planning can help keep the enjoyment factor high and boredom and brawls to a minimum.
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If you're staying at a resort or camping ground, choose one with a games room or age-appropriate kid's activities.
- If you're sharing a house, suss out whether there's a rumpus area, backyard or pool and check the wet weather entertainment options like TV, PlayStation and Wi-Fi Internet.
- Staying within walking distance to parks, beaches or shops will make impromptu excursions possible when things are getting raucous inside.
6. Factor in some space
Holidaying together can be loads of fun, but most people need their own space at some point. If you're sharing accommodation, look for an option with multiple living areas — both indoor and out, as well as accessible transport options. Think ahead about some activities that can take you and your family into a different environment for a while, and if possible, take turns to mind the kids while one couple has a date night.
7. Respect each other
If you've never travelled with these friends before, or haven't spent much time with their kids, find out about a typical day in their life so you can be prepared to fit in. Ask them:
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What time do the kids go to bed and get up?
- How do the children cope with eating out?
- Are there any allergies or health concerns to be aware of?
- What are some of your important house rules?
8. Relax
If you've adequately planned ahead, all that's left to do is enjoy the trip. Everyone will have a more pleasurable time if you focus on fun and relaxation. It is a holiday, after all.
Do you have any tips on holidaying with friends with families? Share your comments (both good and bad) below.
