Choosing the right destination
The right destination for a family holiday depends heavily on the ages of your children. Under-3s: short-haul or domestic destinations — minimal jet lag, familiar food, quick to reach. Ages 3-7: beach holidays with shallow water and children's clubs can work extremely well; city breaks with museums and cultural sites require significant management. Ages 8+: a wider range is possible, but consider school holiday timing and the activities on offer.
The flight question
Long-haul flights with children under five are one of the most common causes of family travel anxiety. Practical strategies: book an overnight flight when children will naturally sleep; request a bassinet (bulkhead) seat for under-2s; pack more snacks, entertainment and changes of clothes than you think you need; and accept that you will be entertaining your child for most of the flight rather than watching films or sleeping.
Accommodation
Self-catering or apartment accommodation is often preferable with young children to hotel rooms: you can prepare familiar meals, maintain usual nap and bedtime routines, and spread out without everyone sharing one room. All-inclusive resorts with children's clubs can offer excellent value and relief from constant entertainment responsibility.
The pace question
Adult travel tends to front-load activity: as many sites, restaurants and experiences as possible. Children need downtime: regular meals, familiar sleep routines and unstructured play. The most common cause of family holiday misery is trying to maintain adult pace with children. Budget one or two activities per day for young children and accept that time by the pool, playing in the sand or exploring a local market may be what they — and you — remember most.