Tips for a December family holiday

Tips for a December Family Holiday             

December is a time to regroup and recollect, to take a look at the past year and seeing how far we’ve come and grown. Have we achieved what we set out to do - and are we all the better for it. We’ve worked hard and played hard, and when all is said and done, now is a time for family and loved ones.

The Elements of a Holiday

Holidays are not so much only about where you go, but also about how you get there, and whom you go with. There are a number of aspects that can make or break a great family holiday. As you begin your holiday planning consider some of these tips:

Family and Friends

Yes, it goes without saying that any holiday needs some level of planning. And everyone has their own checklist to tick off, such as making sure the car is serviced, the pet minder is booked, the house alarm is in working order - not to mention that important list of what-to-pack items. But there’s another list we don’t always think of.

Since this is a time for family and loved ones, why not round up your favourite friends and family members for a year-end bash. Go beyond your comfort zone and invite those cousins, aunts, and uncles you love but haven’t seen at all this year. How about that friend who’ll be spending December alone this year? Not only is it a good opportunity to reconnect and bond, but to share each other’s energy and positivity as the year closes. The list can contain two or twenty-two people. It all depends on your appetite,need, and desire. Remember, the rule is not to feel obliged, the rule is to be genuine.

The Journey

A good set of wheels to get you from home to holiday and back is another important element. Family-friendly vehicles are made for these road trips. The cabins are more spacious, the boot space is more generous, and they have the extra little comfort features for long journeys that make the ride a more enjoyable experience.

If you’re interested in saving up for a family car in the future, this list might interest you. These cars were the best value-for-money family cars in the pre-owned category as selected by Gumtree.

Cross-over between R200 000 and R300 000:

1. 2015Mazda CX3 2.0 Individual
2. 2015 Ford Ecosport 1.5 TDCI Titanium
3. 2015 Honda HR-V 1.5 Comfort
4. 2015 Opel Mokka 1.4T Cosmo
5. 2015 Nissan Juke 1.5 DCi Acenta+

SUV under R325 000:

1. 2015Mazda CX-5 2.0 Active
2. 2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.2T Visia
3. 2015 Toyota Fortuner 2.5D-4D
4. 2015 Toyota RAV-4 2.0 GX
5. 2015 Honda CRV 2.0 Comfort

Search for a second hand family car here.

The Destination

And finally, the destination. From Sea Point in the Cape to the borders between Namibia and Mozambique, when it comes to holiday getaways,South Africans are spoilt for choice.

While the warm Indian Ocean is a major draw card for holiday hunters seeking sun and sea, the Atlantic and the north of Cape Town hold its own special beauty.

From South West …

If you’re considering the Western Cape, explore outside the bounds of popular tourist destinations and visit the unspoilt beaches of Britannia Bay and surrounds such as Shelley Beach or Paternoster. This is a perfect retreat for those wanting peace from the madding crowds.

One of the most spectacular off-the-beaten-track locations in the Eastern Cape and possibly the country is the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve - the third largest protected area in South Africa and a World Heritage site.

To North East …

Heading up north towards the border of Zimbabwe, lies another World Heritage site: the extraordinary Mapungubwe National Park and the Kingdom of Mapungubwe, once home to an advanced culture of people at that time period. Apart from it’s rich heritage and culture, why not visit there as an alternative to the Kruger National Park for game viewing and diversity of plant and wild life.

Which of these three elements are most important to you, the company, the vehicle, or the destination?

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