Top 10 tips for group travel this Easter
by Rupert Longsdon, Founder of Oxford Ski Company and Luxury Chalet Collection
1 Book early to avoid disappointment – the best chalets and villas always go first and you can never book too far in advance.
2 Forward planning pays off – flights get more and more expensive the closer you get to a holiday date.
3 Reduce transfer time – there are now 26 regional airports in the UK flying i to the main ski destinations, and low cost airlines are more comfortable for a short haul than a long transfer at either end.
4 Book a large enough space – find a chalet with an extra living/TV room for the children so you can enjoy your time together more freely.
5 Book ski lessons and activities as soon as you book the chalet or hotel – they can get booked up well in advance. Your concierge or chalet manager can organise this for you.
6 Find out the check in and check out times for your chalet – and book flight times to match.
7 Have your ski equipment delivered to the chalet – it saves time and battling through a ski shop with tired children (and parents) when you arrive.
8 Book flights before your accommodation – booking your chalet/hotel first otherwise it can cause lots of problems.
9 Keep to a bedtime routine – letting children stay up late “because it is a holiday” leads to fractious children half way through the week. Honestly, they’ll appreciate it as much as you will.
10 Use an established travel agent – it doesn’t cost any more than booking direct and it’ll pay off.