metrodubai
October 7, 2016
Okay, let’s not sugarcoat it—booking a family tour sounds exciting… until you actually sit down and try to plan it. Suddenly you’re juggling calendars, comparing hotel prices, scrolling through endless reviews and trying not to scream because your youngest wants to know if there will be Wi-Fi on the camel ride during your desert safari.
Trust me I’ve been there. After a few not-so-great trips some wonderful ones and one absolute disaster I prefer to forget I’ve learned a few things. So here are my best lessons—straight from my chaotic family life to yours—tips for booking a family tour without losing your mind (or your luggage).
When you are traveling with kids, waiting until the last minute to book is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Prices for flights and hotels go up fast and the good family-friendly options disappear. If you are dreaming of visiting Uzbekistan in the spring to see the Silk Road cities, planning a family tour in Salalah during the khareef season or enjoying a Dubai City Tour with desert activities, you need to start preparing months before. School holidays make everything sell out even quicker so early planning saves you money and stress. Trust me—waiting “just one more week” often means tickets that cost double and hotels that are no longer available.
Trust me I’ve been there. After a few not-so-great trips some wonderful ones and one absolute disaster I prefer to forget I’ve learned a few things. So here are my best lessons—straight from my chaotic family life to yours—tips for booking a family tour without losing your mind (or your luggage).
It’s easy to get carried away by photos of Paris or Baku in Azerbaijan, but if you don’t set a budget first you may end up overspending. A smart family tour starts with clear numbers. Count not just flights and hotels but also meals, snacks, tickets, transport and those little extras like sunscreen, hats or toys that kids always seem to need. For example, when planning a farm stay in Ras Al Khaimah, a yacht rental in Dubai or even an exciting jet ski ride on Jumeirah Beach, you’ll know what is realistic for your family and what is better saved for another trip. Budgeting first makes the rest of the planning smoother.
Trust me I’ve been there. After a few not-so-great trips some wonderful ones and one absolute disaster I prefer to forget I’ve learned a few things. So here are my best lessons—straight from my chaotic family life to yours—tips for booking a family tour without losing your mind (or your luggage).
Not every destination is easy with children. Some cities are designed for couples or solo travelers but are stressful for families. For your first family tour, choose a place where moving around is simple, activities are varied and the local culture is welcoming. Uzbekistan’s Tashkent and Samarkand are wonderful for history and culture. Salalah in Oman is perfect for nature lovers. If you want something closer to home, the UAE is packed with family options like Abu Dhabi City Tours, desert buggy rides and dhow cruises in Dubai Marina. A family-friendly destination sets the tone for a smoother and happier trip.
It is tempting to fill every day with activities, thinking you will get the most value out of your family tour. But in reality, kids get tired quickly and when they are tired the parents get stressed. I used to plan schedules like we were in a race—zoo in the morning, museum in the afternoon! It never worked. Now I keep it simple: one big activity each day. That way there’s time for naps, snacks or pool breaks. Some of our best family memories came from unplanned moments, like finding a street festival in Bukhara or watching the sunset during a Khorfakkan tour package.
Children love being part of the process. Before your trip, show them photos of the destination, explain what foods they might try and ask what they would enjoy most. If they choose the zoo instead of a museum, they feel more included and complain less later. When we planned a Musandam dhow cruise, my kids were more excited because they had seen dolphin pictures online. The same happened before a helicopter ride in Dubai—they were thrilled because they knew what to expect. A little involvement goes a long way in making the whole family happy.
Never assume a “family package” really includes everything you need. I once booked one that promised fun for families but all it covered was the bus ride. Meals, tickets and even basic entry passes were extra. To avoid disappointment, carefully check what’s included before paying. Some tours, like a Dubai desert safari, helicopter ride or Hatta mountain tour, include meals, pick-up and drop-off while others only cover transportation. Always ask questions, read the details and compare packages so your family tour goes smoothly without surprise costs.
Where you stay makes a big difference. You don’t always need a 5-star hotel, but you do need comfort and space. Family rooms, apartments or Airbnbs with a small kitchen are ideal. Having a fridge for milk or snacks can save you from a meltdown in the middle of the night. And if you’re gone for more than a week, laundry access is a lifesaver. For example, in Ras Al Khaimah our farm stay was far more relaxing than a luxury hotel because it felt homey. In Dubai, staying near the Marina was perfect for us since we planned water activities like jet ski rides and yacht rentals.
Snacks are your secret weapon on a family tour. Even if meals are included, there will always be moments when kids are suddenly hungry. Crackers, fruit, granola bars or even a simple sandwich can turn a potential tantrum into a peaceful ride. And don’t forget parents—no one enjoys a hangry mom or dad during a busy day of sightseeing. Whether you are exploring the markets of Samarkand, waiting for a dhow cruise in Dubai Marina or on a long road to Hatta, snacks keep everyone happy.
The truth is, no family tour will be perfect. Someone will spill juice on their clothes, someone will cry at the wrong time and someone will forget sunglasses on a mountain in Georgia. That is part of the journey. Instead of chasing the “Instagram-perfect trip,” focus on the shared experience. The laughter, the funny mistakes and even the messy moments will become the stories you remember most. A family tour is about being together, not about being perfect.
One of the best things you can do is leave room for change. Sometimes kids may not want another museum—they might just want to ride the metro in Baku or spend a day at the hotel pool. Being flexible gives everyone breathing space. Maybe you’ll find a street show in Uzbekistan or maybe you’ll discover a new local market in Abu Dhabi. Flex time makes your family tour less stressful and often leads to the best surprises.
Yes planning a family tour can feel hard. But the good things are bigger than the hard parts. Family tours bring everyone closer. You may walk in the old Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. You may enjoy the green hills of Salalah. You may ride camels in a Dubai desert safari. Or you may watch fireworks during an Abu Dhabi City Tour.
The best part of a family tour is the mix of history, culture, adventure and fun in one trip. Children can explore. Parents can relax. Everyone comes back with stories and happy memories. Maybe it is the thrill of a buggy ride in the dunes. Maybe it is the peace of a dhow cruise in Dubai Marina. Or maybe it is a simple picnic after a walk in the mountains of Georgia. These moments stay in your heart for life.
In the end a family tour is not about doing everything perfect. It is about being together. With some planning and choosing the right places you will return with more than souvenirs. You will come back with stories and laughs that your family will remember for years. That is what travel is really about. You can learn about our international destination packages, city tours in the UAE, our desert safari in Dubai packages and other adventurous and thrilling activities in UAE through our website.
Metro Travels is a leading travel agency in Dubai details with visa, ticketing, inbound & outbound tour packages.
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