An annual holiday is always something to look forward to, but it’s good to treat yourself in between those holiday periods as well. One way to do this is by booking a weekend break - and the possibilities for what you can do are endless.

First of all, think about whether you would like to relax and unwind: somewhere quiet and peaceful, or whether you would prefer to de-stress by taking part in an outdoor activity like boating or mountain biking, for example. Your answer to this question should give you some ideas on what kind of location would be best for you.

You don’t have to go that far a-field to get away from it all either. In fact, when you are spending a weekend away you don’t want to be travelling for hours to get to your destination. Pick somewhere that is ideally not much more than a couple of hours away from your home. That way you can get an early start on Saturday and still enjoy the whole day - and on Sunday you won’t have to worry about leaving early to get home in time for a good night’s sleep before work the next day.

When traveling with children, do not feel that you have to limit yourself to traditionally child-oriented places like Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida. Children can actually be stimulated by a wider variety of destinations besides children’s theme parks. Kids do not need specialized stomping grounds with cartoon themes on their vacations. All they need are attentive parents willing to stick by them and teach them something on their next holiday. Granted, it will probably be harder to convince a typical child that a trip to China is going to more fun and exciting than a trip to the Magical Kingdom, but you will be rewarded in the end by the child’s more memorable experience. Additionally, you will have a great time too and do not have to get worn out on hot dogs and roller coasters.

A vacation with children can be to many different places. Because young children love animals so much, a safari in Kenya can be an exciting trip for them. Imagine the look on your child’s face when he sees large animals like lions and elephants in their native habitats. The child will want to come home and read every book there is on African wildlife. A safari is much more stimulating than simply seeing these animals captive in a zoo. The thrill of adventure on a safari is infectious and your children will love the experience.