Travelling is a great way to break the spell of monotony and the humdrum of routine. If you ever feel stressed and overwhelmed, and need a little downtime with your family, the best solution is to take some time off and explore new terrains and experiences together.

Going for a vacation as a family is a great way to spend quality time together. You’ll foster and improve family communication and connections by getting to know one another better and to gain new perspectives together.

Travelling can also expose your children to new places, people, cultures and lifestyles, and these often reshape the way your children think about the world.

So, plan a trip!  Detach from your daily stresses; teach your kids how to adapt to unplanned situations; expose them to new experiences; connect as a family; and create memories for the future. They can all be accomplished with a family vacation, and we have a few very simple steps for you to plan ahead for a hassle-free holiday.

Before you get into planning mode, call for a family brainstorm session. This time around, you’d want to find out your family interests and hobbies to help you decide on which destination might fit best for your needs and wants. Your kids may love sports, or learning new cultures, your spouse might love shopping or visiting museums, and you may love the outdoors. Whatever it is, break into a healthy discussion and discover new places together.

Once you’ve decided on your destination, it’s time to dive into the nitty gritty. It may all seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s just a matter of browsing the net and knowing which sources to look for. Planning a holiday can in fact be a breeze by the seaside.

Importantly, you should start off by booking your flights first. For long haul flights, remember to get pre-booked meals for budget flights so that no one gets hungry (and cranky) along the way. You may also want to take note if a flight has long stop-overs for they can be inconvenient, leading to restless children.

Once you’ve booked your flights, you can look into various accommodations available. Apartments and shared spaces such as Airbnb offers more space for bigger families while hotels often provide services such as housekeeping.

If you’re travelling from one city to another, it’s best to plan out your routes and modes of transportation beforehand. Don’t wait till the last minute as trains, busses and planes can be fully-booked, which can disrupt your travel plans.

Finally, you’re all set to plan out your itinerary! Websites such as Tripadvisor, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveller and blogs from locals and travellers alike offer great insight and relevant information to tourists. While you may want to pack your days with activities and sight-seeing, it’s best to include some time for rest and relax as children often get tired and some downti

Now that all your plans are firmed up, you’d want to take one last check on any essentials and important information that may be useful for your family’s trip.

First thing’s first, insurance. Though many may think of travel insurance as an afterthought, spending a small sum can go a long way for you and your family. From the moment you hit the airport to reaching your destination, a lot of things can go wrong. Flight delays and lost baggage are common and falling sick in a foreign country can be a challenge on its own. By choosing a comprehensive family insurance package, you can rest assured that there’s no need for worry if the unforeseen crops up.

Allianz Travel Care takes care of all your family needs for both domestic and international travel. From damaged or lost luggage, to medical fees, accidents, natural disasters, flight cancellations, delays and other emergencies, Allianz Travelcare ensures that you and your family are well protected and are able to enjoy a stress-free holiday.

Now that you’re all packed and ready to go, here’s one final essential tip: Have fun!