Whether it's a relaxing tropical getaway or an adventure-packed skiing trip, family holidays are all about creating great memories. And with a little planning and holiday preparation, you can make sure you have plenty of time to do just that.

Here's our top tips to keeping everyone happy.

Plan together

While it may be tempting to take control and plan every detail of your holiday, it's a good idea to ask each person to choose an activity or two they want to do.

Everyone will feel included in the process and have something to look forward to (apart from spending time with one another, of course!).

Compromise is key here, and each person needs to take into consideration the amount of time the activity will take and how long your holiday is. Remember, you may not be able to fit everything in – so keep it simple, but fun.

Choose a destination – and budget

This is where the fun begins. Choosing where you want to travel to depends on the type of holiday you want with your family. Are you adventurers, keen to explore the gems of outback Australia, or is a Caribbean cruise more your style?

The final destination will often depend on your budget and the amount of time you have to travel, so start with these points and go from there. Take into account things like currency conversion too and research which destinations offer the best value and conversion rate.

Include expenses such as taxis or airport car parking, eating out, 'exploring money' for any day trips you take while you're there, and tip money if you're travelling to somewhere like the USA. It's worth factoring in about ten per cent on top of your budget as a contingency plan too.

Book early, save money

We all know the saying about the early bird, but it really is worth booking your holiday well in advance. It will save you money and the stress of finding last-minute accommodation (which often comes at a premium price). Flights are usually cheaper too and you're more likely to find seats together. And once it's locked in you can all start counting down the days!

Dreaming of your next family holiday? Find out how a personal loan from Great Southern Bank can help take you there.

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