Planning a luxury trip with children

Schritt für Schritt

1. Note the children's ages and their habits around sleep and meals.
2. Choose a destination with a manageable flight time and a suitable travel season.
3. Choose accommodation with enough space, connecting doors or a villa.
4. Clarify childcare and children's offers before booking.
5. Discuss safety around water and in the property.
6. Prepare a daily plan with fixed rest times and free space.

Checkliste

• How old are the children, and do age limits apply at the property?
• How long is the flight?
• Are there rooms with a connecting door or separate bedrooms?
• Is childcare arranged?
• Is the pool secured?
• Have dietary wishes and allergies been communicated?
• Have passports and entry requirements been checked with the FDFA (EDA) and the FOPH (BAG)?
• Has suitable insurance been taken out?
• Have medication and vaccinations been discussed with the doctor?

Choosing destination and flight time

Small children tolerate long flights differently. For families, destinations with a short flight time are a good choice, such as the Mediterranean coasts or the Alps. Distant destinations are possible, but need a buffer for sleep and time change.

Also check climate and heat. Where temperatures are very high, children need shade and breaks. We discuss a suitable travel season for your destination with you, similar to the guide on the [travel season in Dubai](/m/luxury/ratgeber/dubai-winter-luxus-reisezeit).

Routines help children feel secure in unfamiliar places. Take familiar things with you, such as a soft toy, a book or the usual evening routine. That way children settle sooner, and the parents' rest begins earlier.

Accommodation with space and calm

Families benefit from villas or suites with separate bedrooms. That keeps evenings quiet once the children are asleep. Check whether rooms are connected and whether beds, cot sides and high chairs are available.

Ask about age limits. Some properties accept children only from a certain age or restrict areas such as the spa and restaurants. This applies especially to small properties focused on calm. We clarify this before booking.

Ask the property about children's menus, small portions and allergy information. Good kitchens respond to this, but need advance notice. Drinks, snacks and breakfast times can usually be arranged too.

Childcare and programme

A kids' club or private childcare creates time for adults. Ask about qualifications, language, times and costs. With private childcare, allow for a first meeting before the first session.

Do not plan too much. One excursion a day is often enough, the rest is time by the water or in the garden. Children enjoy rituals, so fixed meal and sleep times are worthwhile on holiday too.

With several children or age groups, a villa with separate areas is worth considering. Younger ones sleep earlier, older ones want to stay up longer. With enough space, the evening stays relaxed for everyone.

Safety and health

Water requires supervision. Ask about secured pools, beach access and rescue options. Responsibility remains with the parents. This applies in villas with a private pool too, with more at [Villa with a private pool](/m/luxury/ratgeber/villa-mit-privatpool-was-bedeutet-das).

Questions about vaccinations, medication and a travel first-aid kit are for your paediatrician. Also check the current position on entry and health with the FDFA and the FOPH. We give no medical recommendations on this.

Also plan a fallback for bad weather or tired children. A quiet day at the property is not lost time if books, games and good food are ready. With some reserve in the programme, the trip stays relaxed even when something does not go as planned.

Before departure, clarify with your paediatrician whether vaccinations and the travel first-aid kit need adjusting for the destination, and arrange the appointments early enough. Pack medication your child needs regularly in your hand luggage, together with a copy of the prescription. Ask the accommodation how the nearest doctor can be reached. At the pool and on the beach, supervision applies even in properties with staff, because you remain responsible. Good sun-protection clothing saves a lot of effort.

Planning time for adults

Rest for the parents is part of the plan. A dinner without the children, a spa appointment or a walk works with good childcare. Talk to the property beforehand about what is possible.

In a video call we set wishes and pace and send you a written plan. General notes on lead time are in the guide [Planning a luxury trip](/m/luxury/ratgeber/luxusreise-planen-budget-vorlauf).

Journey and flight

On the flight, preparation counts. Plan flight times that fit the children's sleep rhythm, and allow time for connections. Night flights are more pleasant for some children, not for others.

Business class makes travelling with children easier, because more space and lie-flat seats allow rest. Ask about age rules and fares for children. A driver at the destination removes waiting and carrying.

Pack games, snacks and a change of clothes in your hand luggage. The calmer the journey, the sooner the rest begins. We plan times and transfers with a buffer.