„When planning vacations, Lithuanian families look for comprehensive comfort – important are both the hotel’s suitability for children, flight times, and the variety of activities. We see that trip planning is becoming a thoughtful and important decision for the family,“ says Inga Aukštuolytė, Head of Public Relations and Marketing at Tez Tour.
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Psychologists also emphasize the benefits of advance travel planning: thoughts about upcoming vacations bring joy well before departure and positively affect the family’s emotional well-being.
Vacations begin even before departure
Just the thought of an upcoming trip can improve mood, reduce stress, and provide more positive emotions in everyday life. This is especially noticeable in families – children get involved in planning, dream about future adventures, and count the days until departure.
“A trip can become additional motivation for students to study better – children try harder knowing that a pleasant reward awaits them,” says Viktorija Bartkutė-Vyšniauskienė, founder and psychotherapist at Anima Psychology.
According to her, the anticipation of a trip can also become a great educational tool. Parents increasingly use the upcoming trip as a motivational goal – children are encouraged to save for their desires, plan responsibly, or even learn about the country they will visit. In this way, vacations also become a valuable experience.
Families travel more boldly
Traveling abroad with children has become a common choice for families. Growing service adaptation and a wider offer allow parents to feel more at ease, so more and more choose to travel even with very young children.
“Modern hotels and resorts are increasingly focusing on family needs – offering extensive children’s activity infrastructure, animation programs, special menus, pools, children’s clubs. This makes the trip more comfortable not only for the little ones but also for the parents themselves,” shares I. Aukštuolytė.
Early planning – the greatest value
The summer season in Europe is the busiest, emphasizes I. Aukštuolytė. Not only Lithuanians but also Germans, Britons, and residents of other countries vacation, so the demand for the most popular family-friendly hotels is very high.
“Such hotels are the first to be booked – often well before the season starts. This means one thing – to choose from the widest range and secure the best price-quality ratio, it is worth planning in advance. Those who postpone vacation planning to the last months choose from a much-reduced offer,” says I. Aukštuolytė.
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Warmth and comfort – the most important family choices
When planning summer vacations, Lithuanian families most often choose tried and tested destinations that combine a warm climate, convenient travel organization, and a wide range of activities for children.
“The most important thing for family vacations is comfort and clarity, so 4–5 star hotels with an ‘all-inclusive’ program are usually chosen. This allows parents to relax knowing that both meals and activities will be taken care of on site,” says the travel organizer’s representative.
According to her, Turkey remains one of the most popular family choices this year due to its very well-developed infrastructure. There are many hotels with water parks, children’s clubs, and a wide range of entertainment options for children of different ages.
“Bulgaria attracts with an attractive price-quality ratio and shorter flight time, making it a convenient choice when traveling with younger children. Meanwhile, Greece and its islands are valued for their diversity – families can choose different regions and accommodation types, and clean beaches and well-developed tourism infrastructure ensure comprehensive relaxation,” presents I. Aukštuolytė.
She also points out that families are increasingly choosing Spain and Italy. In Spain, the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada coasts stand out in popularity, combining seaside relaxation, sandy beaches, impressive water parks, and the opportunity to visit one of Europe’s most famous cities – Barcelona.
In Italy, families most often choose the island of Sardinia, the Rimini coast, or Calabria – these destinations are valued for excellent beaches, warm climate, and family-friendly infrastructure. Another destination increasingly discovered by Lithuanians is Madeira, belonging to Portugal. It is often chosen by families looking not only for relaxation but also for experiences – here awaits impressive nature, hiking trails, excursions, and a mild climate.
Summer vacations with children: where to start?
Family vacations begin not at the airport, but while planning, dreaming, and waiting. The travel organizer’s representative shares the most important tips:
- Plan in advance. The most popular family-friendly hotels are booked first, so early planning allows choosing from a wider assortment and securing a better price. Also, when booking trips with a travel organizer, families can feel calmer and safer due to insurance coverage, and flexible conditions are provided to change travel plans if the situation changes.
- Include children in planning. Let children contribute to decisions – choose activities, learn about the destination, or even make their own list of “must-see” places. This strengthens their motivation and joy of anticipation.
- Choose family-friendly hotels. 4–5 star hotels with an “all-inclusive” program, water attractions, and animator services help ensure smooth relaxation for both children and parents.
- Consider flight time and duration. Traveling with children will be much easier if flight times are convenient and the trip is not too long, especially with younger children.
- Leave room for spontaneity. Although planning is important, leave some free time – allow yourself and the children to relax and enjoy the moments.
- Consider the educational side of vacations. During vacations, it is possible to combine rest with learning – short excursions, nature discoveries, or entertainment.
- Take care of the financial part. A trip can be a great opportunity to develop children’s financial literacy – discuss the budget, encourage saving, and planning their expenses.
“Traveling with family is more than just spending time together. It is new impressions, shared experiences, and memories that last a long time,” summarizes the travel organizer’s representative.
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