There’s comfort in familiarity, which is why many of us fall into routines – even with our holidays. Repeating the same destination means you know where to find the best beach, which restaurant will keep everyone happy and what to expect from the weather, helping you prepare with minimal effort and go straight into relaxation mode on arrival.
Yet returning to the same place year after year naturally means missing out on other experiences that might suit your family even better. It also risks diminishing the impact of your holidays, and you not returning feeling rested.
Changing your usual holiday style doesn’t require a dramatic leap into the unknown. It could be as simple as choosing a different type of accommodation, exploring a new region or planning a trip around an activity you’ll all love.
Embracing the effects of positive change
Did you know that, as adverse as we can be to it, change can be positive? Gaining fresh perspectives can positively impact wellbeing, helping to lower stress levels and boost brainpower. It also expands your worldview, teaching curiosity, creativity and tolerance. Taking on new challenges enhances personal and mental growth, instilling confidence and forming lasting bonds.
Children often respond well to age-appropriate opportunities that encourage independence, while adults can benefit from breaking away from familiar patterns that can dull the mind. Spending a day or two away from the pool trying water-based activities like white-water rafting or surfing will give everyone a valuable sense of achievement.
Another benefit comes from allowing everyone to adapt to different situations. Whether you’re navigating public transport in a new city or learning a sport together, these experiences encourage problem-solving and resilience in ways that everyday life often doesn’t.
Finding more opportunities to bond
Busy schedules can make meaningful family time surprisingly difficult to find. Even on holiday, it’s easy for everyone to drift into separate activities, particularly when familiar routines follow you abroad or you’re travelling with teenagers.
A different style of trip can create more natural opportunities to spend time together. A walking or cycling holiday, for instance, places everyone in the same environment for longer periods and away from screens, which can lead to conversations that might never happen while sitting in separate corners with screens and headphones. You’ll still find plenty of time to switch off and recoup in your separate spaces at the end of each day.
Shared experiences give you something to talk about in the moment and in the years that follow. This helps to encourage interaction within the family without forcing it. Choose an activity that involves everyone so you can all contribute to the experience rather than simply observing it.
Creating meaningful memories
The holidays that tend to stay with us aren’t always the most luxurious or expensive. While seeing extraordinary animals on safari will certainly deliver amazing memories, so will learning local traditions of a culture distinct from your own or navigating a challenging mountain trail together. Moments that stand out are unique and at odds with the mundanity of everyday life.
Teaching your children new skills is another way to form lasting memories while giving them valuable abilities to enhance their future. Why not introduce them to the slopes with family ski holidays across Europe or spend a day sailing the Mediterranean with an experienced crew? Being able to watch the children improve is extremely rewarding, and the shared sense of progress will fuel your holiday with positivity and excitement.
Exploring new travel style ideas
If you’re ready to try something different, start by thinking about the experiences your family enjoys rather than focusing solely on destinations. Activity-led holidays ensure you’ll always have something to do that will keep the whole family happy.
Families with young children can get into the great outdoors by staying in a national park or a nature retreat with relaxed activities in a calming setting. Families with older children might appreciate more epic adventure holidays, including adrenaline-inducing thrills. Those who love food could build a holiday around local markets and cooking classes, trying new regional specialities each day. Active families may enjoy cycling, hiking, skiing or water sports, while those with creative interests could go on city breaks in hotspots known for museums, galleries and heritage sites. The opportunities are endless!
Small adjustments can make a noticeable difference. Switching from a large resort to a self-catering cottage in a rural area, for example, often changes the pace of the holiday and creates opportunities to explore local communities.
Considering what is age-appropriate
A successful change of holiday style should reflect the ages, interests and abilities of the people travelling. What feels exciting for teenagers may overwhelm younger children, while adults will enjoy the experience more if expectations remain realistic.
Families with young children typically benefit from shorter activity sessions with regular breaks, and it helps to stay in accommodation close to key attractions to minimise travel time. Older children and teenagers may appreciate a greater sense of adventure, especially if they can contribute to planning parts of the trip.
Before booking, involve everyone in the decision-making process. Asking each family member to suggest activities or destinations can help you build an itinerary that balances individual interests while ensuring the holiday feels enjoyable for the whole family. A thoughtful, well-matched change is far more likely to become a trip that everyone remembers for the right reasons.
