March 8, 2026, 6:36 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Pool, all-inclusive, and a bit of flexibility—at first glance, that’s all it takes for a successful vacation with kids. But between relaxation for the parents and the adventurous spirit of the younger ones, potential conflicts lurk. So how can a family vacation be designed to ensure everyone is as satisfied and relaxed as possible? A developmental psychologist and major travel operators offer concrete tips—from planning to booking.
Overview
Tips from Experts for a Relaxed Family Vacation
Involve the Kids
Parents are responsible for the framework of the trip: They decide on the destination and timing. However, they should also consider the children’s needs. “It’s important to consider the children’s needs,” says Johannes Bach, a professor at the Technical University of Nuremberg. His approach from personal experience: “Parents set the destination and framework, but within the vacation, children can choose individual activities.” This creates a sense of involvement without relinquishing overall planning.
Provide Structure—but Allow Flexibility
Bach also recommends a certain structure. It’s a misconception to say, “Everyday life is planned out, I don’t want that on vacation.” While not every day needs to be scheduled, it’s wise to ask in advance: “If there are certain things I absolutely want to do or see, when will I do that?”
Older children, in particular, also desire freedom. Not every excursion needs to be a group activity. According to Bach, parents should question the expectation of doing everything together on vacation. A balanced mix of activity and relaxation on-site is helpful, such as accommodations with a pool. A possible model: a city trip in the morning, swimming in the afternoon.
Keep Expectations Realistic
High expectations can jeopardize relaxation. Bach draws a comparison with Christmas, often idealized as a particularly harmonious time—and then frequently bringing stress.
Many believe the vacation must be the best weeks of the year. “That often doesn’t work out,” says Johannes Bach. “You take everything from everyday life with you on vacation—all feelings, all issues.” A more sober attitude can prevent disappointment and, at best, lead to pleasant surprises.
Ideal Destinations for Families
For a classic beach vacation in the summer, operators mainly recommend destinations around the Mediterranean. Flight times are manageable, and the tourist infrastructure is usually well-developed, including medical care. Additionally, there is a wide selection of hotels. Frequently mentioned are Turkey, Spain, Greece, and Egypt. Bulgaria and Tunisia are considered more affordable alternatives.
Those who prefer to travel by car often head to destinations like Poland, Croatia, Austria, or Italy. Germany itself also offers numerous options—from the Baltic Sea to Upper Bavaria.
Important for families: gently sloping sandy beaches, recreational offerings such as water slide parks, and a child-friendly environment.
Family-Friendly Hotels or a Vacation Home Instead?
Many hotels in typical vacation countries have adapted to families. They offer children’s pools, playgrounds, spacious family rooms, and age-appropriate care. This includes offerings “ideally also for teens with PlayStation,” says Sven Schikarsky, managing director at the tour operator Dertour Germany.
Another key factor is catering. Children often get hungry at different times and are picky eaters. All-inclusive offers can be advantageous here: a wide selection and predictable costs, as meals and drinks are already included in the travel price.
However, the needs of the parents should also be considered. It’s important that they can also relax, for example, through spa areas, high-quality dining, or quiet retreats, according to Schauinsland-Reisen.
Larger resorts sometimes combine both—family-friendly offerings and areas for adults, explains a spokesperson for the Anex Group, which includes Neckermann Reisen, Öger Tours, and Bucher Reisen. She says, “A relaxed family vacation succeeds when everyone gets their money’s worth.”
An alternative can be a vacation home. While self-catering or dining out is necessary, such accommodations usually offer more space and less hustle and bustle.
Plan Early and Stay Flexible
Those who want to book a family room should reserve early. These are quickly booked up, says Aage Dünhaupt from Tui Germany.
There is potential for savings for flexible travelers regarding the departure location: If neighboring states have not yet started school vacations, departing from there can be cheaper. Flexibility can also pay off within one’s own vacation period. Often, the last three weeks of summer vacation are cheaper than the first three weeks.
The tour operator Alltours also recommends not exclusively searching for weekend flights. In the summer months, popular destinations are usually served on all weekdays. Those who start on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Saturday or Sunday and remain flexible with departure times can often save money.
With material from dpa