The Top Summer Holiday Mistakes - And How To Avoid Them...

The logistics of a successful summer holiday are incredibly complex; even more so if you’ve got a young family to entertain. Without further ado, we present to you the top summer holiday mistakes the average family unwittingly makes - and some of these are made before you’ve even left for the airport.

Leave the morning for last-minute preparations. Apart from the front door, make sure doors and windows are locked, appliances are unplugged, perishables are binned and the heating is turned down the night before you leave. That way, in the morning, all you have to worry about is the front door. This also goes for tickets and passports - make sure they’re safely in your hand luggage, get a partner to perform a sanity check, and tuck away until the alarm goes off.

Allow plenty of time for your flight: Yes, the children may be bored in the airport lounge if you get there too early, but at least they’ll be bored in the right place. Must we say it again? Leave plenty of time to get to the airport, check in and get to your gate. Nothing ruins a holiday like a missed flight, surprisingly.

Consider a hire car: Do not fool yourself; you do not want to walk everywhere, and there will not be enough to entertain you all for a week by the pool. Hiring a car in Spain, Greece or Portugal is always a good move, as although you might want to give public transport a go, it’s best to sort out your own transport. Make sure you read up on the rules of the road before you go.

Apartments are a good idea: If your budget allows, try to book an apartment, as opposed to a hotel room. Not only will it be more spacious, but you can save money by preparing your own meals - good for fussy eaters or vegetarians. Don’t forget, you can bring home comforts like teabags, coffee and pasta - and it is possible for you to bring your own packed lunch onto the plane. (Without liquids.)

Don’t assume you’ll black out: Many a trip abroad has been ruined by overconfident holidaymakers assuming lots of swimming, good eating and pitchers of booze will result in a good night’s sleep. If you’re a light sleeper, remember to pack gel or wax earplugs and an eyemask that blocks out the light. This is especially true if you’re staying in a city centre or a Muslim country, where a call to prayer is issued during the night and very early morning.

Try not to burn yourself: The oldest rules of thumb are the best. On your first day, try to stay calm when confronted with unrelenting sunshine - use sunscreen, and stay out of the midday heat. And even though you may feel ridiculous, wear a t-shirt when you’re in the pool. Your skin will thank you in the long run.

*Written by Guest Writer Vicky Anscombe, who is an Online PR and Social Media Consultant for Norwich-based SEO and Marketing company. In her spare time, Vicky greatly enjoys being thrifty, salads with halloumi, hunting down old singles that probably don’t exist any more and looking at pictures of cats.

Twitter: @further