The public shift from international holidays to the ‘staycation’ has been well-documented over the past few years.
First, the covid pandemic saw us unable to travel abroad – but this year, chaos at the airports coupled with tightened purse strings across the nation have led families fully embracing the domestic holiday.
And a good thing, too! It’s easy to forget just how amazing a destination the UK is for a summer holiday.
There are thousands of incredible locations that are a simple road trip away, from National Trust sites to unfettered wildlands and urban coastal retreats. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, hands-on way to treat your family to the holiday they deserve, look no further than the open road.
But how on earth do you plan such a trip?
The Car
Firstly, you’ll need to think about your vehicle of choice. Campervans and motorhomes have seen a significant boost in popularity recently but are not all that accessible financially.
If you’re on a budget, planning on a camping holiday or more of an Airbnb family, there are much more affordable road-trip-friendly car options that suit your needs.
Perhaps the best family car for such an excursion is the Peugeot 2008 – a widely-available and award-winning car that’s well-sized for handling those twisty country roads despite its SUV status. A prodigious boot and ample room for the kids make it the perfect choice. Though new ones may be a little pricey, it’s extremely easy to find a used Peugeot 2008 for sale near you.
Essentials
With the car sorted, you should first make sure it gets packed with the essentials.
A road trip can be extremely fun, but also a little more dangerous than other kinds of holiday. This is especially true if your road trip comprises of camping stops and rural exploration.
Make sure you have a first aid kit in your boot, in case of boo-boos or light accidents. You should also ensure you have an ample supply of in-date suncream; this summer is promising to be a dangerous one for sun exposure, and every attempt should be made to keep you and your children protected.
You may also want to pack an emergency kit for your car, including tools and spares.
Luggage
One of the big benefits of planning a multi-stop road trip over an international holiday is that there are no baggage limits to contend with. You can pack as many creature comforts as you’d like!
Don’t get too carried away, though; you still need to ensure it all fits in the boot without impinging on passenger comfort or safety while driving.
Snack-Packing
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly for your passengers, no road trip is complete without a good selection of snacks to indulge in during the journey.
There’s something beautiful about your children gorging themselves on gummy sweets while you edge up the M1 – just make sure not to pick too many strongly-scented snacks…
With everything prepared, you now have everything you need for a safe and comfortable family road trip.
