Of course, dream vacations don’t just happen. Here are a few things you should do to make sure that you have a jolly good time when you take a break.

*One of the first things to do before you go on a holiday is to understand that you are taking a break to relax. There are bound to be some slips and misses. You may not be able to see everything you want to. You need to understand that is it all right to have some setbacks and treat them as part of the holiday fun. Talk to your family about the holiday. It is important for everybody to know and understand what is planned.

*People like to know what to expect. Planning together is ‘family time’ – indulge in it and enjoy it. In fact, these little things add to the excitement of the holiday and also bring the family together.

*Don’t spring surprises on children. Show them pictures of the places you are likely to visit. This will interest the child and he/she is more likely to relate to it. Tell children what they are likely to see and experience. This may begin a really interesting conversation.

*Pack intelligently. Clothes and comfortable shoes are a must. Carry a reasonable number of clothes and pack necessary things such as medicines and a first-aid kit. Keep a check list that you can tick as you pack. Spend some time to organise your packing. Plan what everyone wears on a daily basis and pack accordingly. You don’t want to spend your holiday rummaging through piles of clothing, do you? Pack a small, separate bag for your son/ daughter as well. The child will feel important if allowed to carry his/her own bag. Buy something for the child that relates to the place you are travelling. This adds up to the holiday excitement!

*Where you go on holiday is important. Decide on a place, keeping everyone’s interests in mind.

*Make necessary bookings ahead of time. The internet is a great place to look for good deals. Check out reviews of hotels and resorts before you book your stay. There are lots of websites where you can voice your concerns and more often than not, a ‘been-there-done-that’ traveller is sure to respond.

*If the place you are planning to visit has a different culture or if the language spoken is different, talk to the children about it. Teach them a few phrases in the new language; the children will love it and, in fact, so will you.

Once you are armed with the necessary information and your children feel comfortable with where you are heading, you are ready for the holiday that you rightly deserve. After all, everyone wants to have a treasure trove of happy memories.