If you're looking for an adventurous family holiday that takes all of the hassle out of travel planning and offers you a knowledgeable and friendly guide on hand throughout your holiday - an escorted tour holiday might just be perfect for you and your family.
As with many other aspects of life, things are more complicated with children involved! Don't worry, we at Stay Curious Travel specialise in matching your family with the perfect adventurous escorted family tour. We do this by finding out about your family and what you all want and need on your next holiday. There's no charge for our service and we often save our clients' money compared to going direct due to our close relationships with multiple adventure holiday companies who have family friendly escorted tours.
However, if you want to book yourself, there are a few things you should know. Here are five important questions to ask when choosing an adventurous escorted tour for your family:
By keeping these things in mind, you can choose an escorted tour holiday that's perfect for your family. With the right tour, you're sure to create lifelong family memories of your adventure together.
1. What kind of activities and accommodation does a family tour holiday include?
My number one tip for choosing the best escorted adventure tour for your children is to make sure the planned activities and accommodation options are right for your family.
Would your family love to learn about the Cu Chi Tunnels, visit an underground weapons bunker and explore old Saigon's bustling back alleys in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam? Or is your family's idea of culture more likely to be getting pampered with a real Turkish hammam (spa) experience, complete with treatments that are fun for the kids and invigorating for parents?
Would your children relish the opportunity to sleep in a nature lodge lit by candles and kerosene lamps after a jungle trek in Peru? Or is a hotel with a hot shower and pool more likely to win your teenagers around after a busy day of cruising between Greek islands?
Do the accommodation options on your chosen family tour holiday offer a room configuration that works for your family? A Mum and her teenage son may not be so keen to share a single bed, as an example!
Be realistic about what will keep your family happy and engaged throughout your holiday. Make sure you know exactly what kind of activities and accommodation are included in the tour before you book.
2. Which other guests will be on a family tour holiday?
While some tours are designed specifically for families, others may allow children but be more suitable for solo travelers, couples or groups of friends. Consider who else will be on the escorted tour when deciding if a specific escorted tour is right for your family.
If you have children, you may prefer an escorted tour with other families with children of a similar age. This way, your kids will have someone to play with while you enjoy the company of other parents on holiday. This can give them a chance to socialise and make new friends and allow the adults the time to do the same!
Most escorted tours have a minimum and maximum number of guests. Be sure to check this before booking, as you may be required to book for a certain number of people in order to join the tour. Some tour companies will not confirm that the tour will definitely go ahead until a specific number of people have booked on, and until that point your booking will be 'subject to' this minimum being met by a certain date.
I have a close relationship with multiple different adventure tour companies, both large and small. As part of matching a family to an escorted tour I often find out how many people have already booked onto a specific tour and which age children are already confirmed to be going. This helps me know what kind of social 'vibe' that specific tour on that specific date will have. It's then easier for me to know if it will be a good fit for your family.
3. How much freedom will we have to explore on our own during a family tour holiday?
Escorted tour holidays vary in how much structure they offer. Some tours are very comprehensive, with every minute planned out. If you're looking for an adventurous holiday where you'll be able to try lots of new things and explore without worrying about the logistics, a really structured tour might be perfect for your family.
Or you might find a busy itinerary means a lack of free time and flexibility that doesn't work for you and your children. Other family tour holiday may allow more time for independent exploration. In my experience a less structured family tour holiday works well for families new to adventure travel and/or families with younger children (who are not known for their ability to manage their own energy and excitement levels!)
It's really important to consider and understand how much freedom and structure you want and need, when deciding which escorted tour is right for your family. Make sure to choose the right level of structure to match your family’s needs and preferences.
4. What is included in the price of a family tour holiday?
When comparing prices, be sure to find out what is included in the cost of the tour. Some tour companies include airfare, while others do not. Meals and accommodation are usually included, but not always and not always all of them.
Some family tour holidays offer a children's price but the age some companies consider the change from a child to adult is suspiciously young!
If you are a sole adult traveling with children, you may need to consider whether there will be single supplements at some of the accommodation options along the way of your chosen family tour holiday.
It's worth thinking about all the little costs that can add up. These could include entrance fees to national parks, equipment hire, tips for people who support your family tour holiday along the way, and a tip for your escorted tour guide themselves. Some escorted family tours include these types of fees, other expect you to pay them on top.
Choose an escorted family tour that offers clear and transparent information about what is and isn't included with no nasty surprises!
If you're unsure what costs are and aren't included in a family tour holiday, get in touch with us here at Stay Curious Travel. We will always give you honest and helpful advice.
5. What is the activity and experience level is needed to enjoy a family tour holiday?
There is so much to consider when matching an escorted tour to your family. But one of the most important is matching the activity and energy levels of your children to the escorted tour.
When considering an adventurous family holiday, it's worth thinking about the age and energy levels of your children. Some activities are better suited to families with older children while others can be enjoyed by families with younger kids.
Are you children morning birds or night owls? Would getting up early for a long day on a safari drive searching for Rare Desert Rhinoceros in Etosha National Park, Nambia result in grumpy children for the rest of the day in your family? Would an evening Northern Lights snowshoe adventure involve getting the kids back out of bed again once they are settled and asleep?
Would your family enjoy a leisurely camel trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes in the Sahara Desert in Morocco? Or would something more active like snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles and manta rays in the Galápagos Islands work better for you all?
It's good to know what level of expertise is required for activities on a family tour holiday. Would your children struggle if they haven't tried paddle boarding before? Or would enough instruction be provided that anyone could make progress and enjoy themselves?
Now that you know some of the things to consider before booking an adventurous family holiday, you're well on your way to choosing the perfect escorted tour holiday for your family. By keeping these things in mind, you can choose an escorted tour that's perfect for your family. With the right escorted tour, you're sure to create lifelong memories of your adventure together.
This information is provided by Kerry Ellis at Stay Curious Travel. We offer different family travel for those craving adventure, culture and new experiences.
Contact Kerry by clicking the button below to get advice or a quote for your next holiday.
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