MEET THE PARENTS
Every year, we take time off and explore the world, with our parents in tow. We call it our Annual Family Holiday. It’s amazing how much fun it really is and how much fun parents really are. Honestly, they can give us a serious run for our money. Parents are excellent travel companions, incredible friends and genuinely curious beings. It’s lovely to watch these overgrown children squeal with delight every time they discover something new. But these children need their share of attention too. So here’s what you need to do.

DISCUSS. DEBATE. DECIDE.
First of all, you need to remember that this is a family trip. So don’t plan a trip for them, plan it with them. Decide on a place together. Chalk out your budgets. Don’t necessarily choose a red-eye flight just because it’s cheap. Compromise and get one with comfortable departures and arrivals. Figure out a stay that gratifies your want for adventure and their need for comfort. Include them while mapping the itinerary. There may be places they’d be interested in visiting too. Respect that, include that. And most importantly, make them feel loved. We gave our folks gift baskets with shower gels, soaps and other knick-knacks as a kick-starter to an amazing holiday.

COMFORT IS KING.
So you’ve had a long flight, everyone’s groggy and tired. The last thing you need is to lug around your suitcase in a country that you know squat about. That’s why, you need to plan for comfort. Make sure you book all your pick-ups and drops before you leave. Not just from the airport to your hotel, but also during your stay there. If there are four of you, opt for a private cab instead of seat-in-coach. It’s far more comfortable and economically viable. Don’t rely on instincts or maps, especially when you have parents travelling with you.

KEEP CALM AND PLAN IT OUT.
You may be the impulsive kind who gets a kick out of winging things, but never ever underestimate the power of a good plan. Have a Plan A, B and C. It’s always nice to have backups. You may enjoy lounging in your PJs till 10 am, but your folks will be all geared up for an adventure by 8 am. Because the thing about parents is that they like having an agenda, they like knowing where the day is headed. Twiddling their thumbs, waiting for you to come up with a brainwave is not their idea of fun. Plan something for them well in advance, so while they enjoy their morning sun, you can enjoy those extra snuggles and sleep.

SLOW DOWN, YOU.
While you may enjoy a jam-packed, whirlwind of an itinerary, your parents may not. Now the thing about parents is that they are selfless. So even if they are not up for it, they’ll play along. Here’s when your common sense needs to kick in. Remember, you’re on a holiday, not in a race. You don’t need to do everything in one-go. Slow down. Breathe. Put your feet up and relax. Take a break. Indulge in a lazy brunch, soak in the culture, talk and take it easy. Connect with them. Don’t pace it. Space it.

MUNCH. EAT. REPEAT.
A very important aspect you need to consider while travelling with parents, is food. Make sure you book a hotel that offers meals. Breakfast is usually a part of the package, so try to squeeze in dinner too, even if you need to pay that little extra. Although you may enjoy the ‘whenever-whatever-wherever’ eating pattern, parents usually like eating their meals on time. So, if you’ve chalked out itineraries that require long hours of travel, make sure they fuel up on breakfast. Also, it's a good idea to stock up your bags with munchies like protein bars, biscuits, energy drinks and water, to munch along the way.

A TABLE FOR FOUR.
A family that travels together, eats together. There are no two ways about it. There may be instances where you may crave for chicken and your parents may yearn for chickpeas. No, you don’t eat at different tables or different restaurants. You reach a compromise. You work your way around it. Ask the locals, scout the net and you will surely find the best of both worlds.

SAY CHEESE
Memories of a family holiday deserve to be captured. So charge your camera and go berserk capturing these moments. Take selfies, momfies, dadfies. Take pictures of both, with both, candid ones, soppy ones, posed ones, and every other kind you can think of. Another great idea is to carry a Polaroid camera or a film camera. It has a rustic charm and is tangible in a more organic sense. If you’re not an old school fanatic, then make sure to print them out once you’re home and frame them.

We love our Annual Family Holidays. By the time we board the flight to get home, we’re already discussing our next trip. And once we’re back home, we can’t stop talking about the one we just had. On some lazy weekends, we even spend evenings reliving our holiday through funny anecdotes, photographs and words. So if you’re one of those who hasn't taken a trip with your parents yet, we urge you to do so right away. The experience is truly unforgettable.