Being an only child, my son always loved our trips with other families. For him, traveling with more kids is a lot more fun than hanging out with mom and dad. Likewise, my husband and I loved (and still love!) the opportunity to spend time with friends and make memories in a new place, away from all the commitments and comings and goings of our busy daily lives.
In other words, a successful Multi family vacation It doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it takes a lot of investment and work on the front end to ensure your friendship remains intact. We all know families who board a plane or hit the highway together in good spirits and high hopes, only to come home resentful and barely speaking. Don’t let this be you.
Tips for a successful family vacation with friends
Choose your travel companions wisely.
Good friends at home don’t necessarily make good vacation companions. You will spend a lot of money ( a lot of) time spent together on the road, so before taking the plunge, consider your respective travel styles, parenting styles, comfort levels with each other, introvert/extrovert tendencies, and similar considerations. If your family likes it rough and others like it five star luxuryor if you’re a die-hard planner and your friend goes by the gut, you might not be the right person. No matter how much you enjoy the company of another couple, if your kids don’t get along with their kids, your trip will quickly fall apart.
Start planning ahead.
If there are two or more families, the logistics multiply. If you both want to book the same flight and stay in the same hotel, book as early as possible – preferably six to 12 months later, depending on where you’re going and how popular it is at that time of year. If you’re renting a car, decide whether you want a separate car for each family or a van that can accommodate the entire gang. Also know that many private tour guides only accept groups of up to six or seven people, and tours may have capacity limits. The more time you have, the more options you can pursue.
Decide how to spread costs.
It doesn’t matter how or when you settle down as long as it works for everyone involved. For example, I’m usually responsible for arranging accommodation, so I’ll book with our family credit card and then reimburse. Other families may prefer to book everything independently. Likewise, agree on how meals and incidentals will be paid for (separately or alternately).
Book accommodation to give everyone some space.
One of the keys to a successful multi-family trip is to not feel like you are on top of each other. When we travel with friends, each family has their own accommodation (sometimes different rooms in the same hotel; more often apartment rentals), which allows everyone plenty of privacy, space to spread out, and alone time when needed. If your group would rather live together in a large villa or other property, choose a villa that offers plenty of sleeping space, an outdoor area for the kids to blow off steam, and a place where people can relax on their own.
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Make a mealtime plan.
Do you want to eat out for every meal, or do you want accommodation with a kitchen? If it’s the latter, will one person be responsible for cooking, or will they take turns? Set clear expectations from the beginning so no one complains. Children can have very different meal plans and preferences, especially if there is a big age gap, so take that into consideration as well.
Let everyone choose a few things to do.
This is the fun part! Take turns adding ideas to the wish list and include the children in the process. Art museums, football matches, historical monuments, cooking classes – everyone has a say. This is a great opportunity to experience local attractions and activities you may not have chosen, but which will end up being some of your favorite memories. Who knows? You or your child may even discover a new interest that will last long after the trip is over.
By the same token, stay flexible when plans go off track. Traffic delays, unexpected closures, multiple snack breaks, meltdowns…these are all part and parcel of family travel. Don’t let them ruin your precious vacation; do your best to adapt, adjust, and move forward. Some of our most priceless photos and best stories come from chaos.
Set boundaries around electronics and social media use.
Make it clear when and how long children can use their devices, message friends at home, post on social media, etc. Families often have different rules about screen time, but gatherings in between can keep things calm. If a family is uncomfortable with being tagged and having their photos shared publicly, please respect their wishes and make sure your children do the same.
Divide and conquer when necessary.
It’s okay to separate occasionally – you don’t have to be on the same page. During your stay Tuscany One afternoon, my husband and son were eager to go see the Leaning Tower of Pisa with friends, while the rest of us just had to take a nap by the pool. We all did our own thing and everyone was happy. The more flexible and accommodating you are, the smoother and more enjoyable your vacation will be.
Go easy on each other.
Family travel is magical, but it can also be stressful. Almost everyone on the team, whether kids or adults, has a moment or day when they feel cranky, tired, hungry, or otherwise unsatisfied. Let it slide and, in turn, you’ll be grateful when they do the same for you.
Related links:
Browse all our family travel tips for Ciao Bambino
How family travel can create resilient kids
Tips for making multi-generational travel fun
Tips for healthy travel with kids
8 Ways to Reduce Stress When Flying with Kids
Editor’s note: This article was accurate at the time of publication. We recommend checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided, or for any actions taken as a result of the information provided.