12 travel tips for your next holiday

These travel tips can help to make your family holiday one to remember – for all the right reasons COMPILED BY LINDSAY DE FREITAS

WITH summer and the school holidays around the corner, your family might be prepping for a little time away from the hustle and bustle. But family breaks can be exhausting because, let’s be honest, getting the whole brood from point A to point B isn’t without its challenges!

But there are things you can do to make the planning and preparation less stressful. Here are a few tips for your family’s next holiday. 1 Are you, your partner and kids guilty of overpacking? Instead of just throwing things into a bag, style individual outfits before you leave and roll each child’s outfits for each day – underwear and socks inside pants and shirts – into a bundle secured with a rubber band. And always take along a small container of washing powder so you have it on hand if you need to wash the odd T-shirt or pair of pants during your trip. 2 It’s much easier to find clothing if everyone has their own bag rather than a shared suitcase. This should also help keep clothing from becoming a tangled mess inside the suitcase. Be sure to take along an empty garbage bag for everyone’s dirty laundry. That way all the soiled clothes can be kept together. 3 Download a few child-friendly apps onto your devices to keep kids from getting bored on long car journeys. If you’re trying to cut down on their screen time take along a collection of activities − like colouring-in books, stickers or word searches. What to do if the kids get tired of devices and activities? Give audiobooks a try – they’re a wonderful way to keep both children and adults entertained. 4 Rather than feeding the kids sweets to keep them quiet during the journey, prep savoury snacks such as cheese cubes, breadsticks and fruit. Worried about the mess? Pop an old fitted sheet over the back seat to catch the crumbs and spills. At the end of the journey, simply remove it and you’ll have a surprisingly tidy area. 5 Scan in or photograph all important travel documents, such as maps, travel insurance information and

contact details for guesthouses and hotels. Keep them on your cellphone for easy reference. 6 Encourage your kids to keep a travel journal and document what they’ve seen. Get the little ones a book and get them to draw and list the things they’ve really enjoyed each day. Keep older children engaged by giving them a disposable camera. The task of capturing precious moments on the trip will keep the boredom at bay and you might be surprised at the beautiful pictures they take. 7 Avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor or pharmacy in strange towns by taking along a supply of overthe-counter medications for common ailments. These should include painkillers, antispasmodics for stomach cramps, cough medicine and anti-emetics for nausea. Other items your first-aid kit should include an antiseptic cream, plasters, burn shield, antihistamines, insect repellent and a thermometer. 8 If you have young children and plan to visit busy or crowded places, write your cellphone number on your child’s arm with a permanent marker just in case they get lost. 9 Although it’s understandable that you’d want to fit as many things into each day as you can, don’t cram your holiday itinerary. Factor in time for the inevitable tantrums, sulking, dawdling, fussing and toilet stops. Making allowances for the usual challenges of family life will help you keep your cool. 10 Even if none of your kids is in nappies anymore, don’t forget to pack baby wipes. They’re useful for cleaning sticky hands and for wiping down restaurant tables and toilet seats. Little bottles of hand sanitiser can also be a lifesaver. 11 Taking your kids camping for the first time? Do a backyard test run. Sleeping in a tent in your backyard one night before your trip is a good way to find out exactly which items you really need (such as night lights and water bottles). You’ll also have the opportunity to check whether your camping mattress is comfortable, and your kids can get used to all the sounds of the outdoors. 12 To keep costs down, DebtSafe spokesperson Matthys Potgieter suggests carpooling with another family if you’re headed in the same direction. Once on the road you can save further by using alternative routes to avoid toll points. “Make use of apps like FillApp or FuelLog to regulate your fuel usage,” he says. “Also, make sure your tyres are pumped up to improve your car’s fuel efficiency.” S

Sleeping in a tent in your backyard before a camping trip is a good way to find out exactly which items you really need