The pros of booking a package holiday, according to a frequent traveler…
Booking a package holiday sounds simple enough: you pick a destination, book the package, throw some clothes into a bag, and off you go. In reality, though, anyone who’s organised one knows how easily the excitement can turn into mild panic. Finding the right place, sorting the logistics, and keeping everyone happy can feel more like project management than a holiday plan.
We’ve been there! And after booking and going on over 20 package holidays, we now know the ways to make the whole process easier. With some advance planning, a bit of flexibility with dates and hotel, going from idea to reality can be surprisingly stress-free. FYI, we’ve booked most of our package holidays through On the Beach and really rate them!
So, here’s how to keep things simple from the start and actually enjoy the build-up to your next holiday.
But first, what is a package holiday?
A package holiday, is also commonly known as an all-inclusive holiday, is a vacation that combines several services into a single booking. And it’s typically offered by travel agencies or tour operators. These packages commonly include flights, accommodation, and sometimes additional amenities such as meals, airport transfers, and guided tours.
The main advantage of a package holiday is convenience. It makes the planning super-easy by bundling the flights, hotel, and meals into one easy-to-manage deal.
Our tips for booking your next package holiday
Although we’ve backpacked around the world, since we’ve settled down in Ireland, we’ve tended to favor the stress-free nature of a package holiday. That’s mainly because we have two young daughters now, and we want to make travel as easy (and memorable as possible).
In the past couple of years, we’ve been on no less than 4 package holidays (in Lake Garda, Mallorca, Madeira, and Lanzarote). And most of the time, we’ve opted for the all-inclusive package as it meant meals were one less thing to worry about. Now, that didn’t mean we stayed by the pool all vacation – no, even with meals included, we still ventured off to explore these places and often skipped lunch at the hotel in doing that.
Plus, the booking process for booking a package holiday is super-easy; it’s deciding the destination and hotel that’s the hard part for us. There are just so many options!
Picking a destination
The first step might sound obvious, but it’s where most of the stress begins. A holiday means different things to different people, like for some, it’s about a relaxing beach vacation; for others, it’s about partying and meeting like-minded people.
Being clear about what you want helps narrow down the search straight away.
For example, for us, a family with young children, we will likely want a completely different type of holiday from a young couple. And that’s what we like about On the Beach – it shows a variety of options from busy Mediterranean resorts to smaller, laid-back coastlines. It’s shown us places that we’d never normally consider!
💡Top tip – The key is to find a location that matches your rhythm rather than chasing a destination that’s simply popular online. When your surroundings fit your mood, the rest of the trip tends to fall into place naturally.
Choosing the right hotel for you
Hotels can make or break a holiday. It’s not always about star ratings; it’s about what suits your needs. If you’re after quiet mornings and slow evenings, a smaller seaside inn might be better than a large resort. Families (like us) might prefer all-inclusive stays where everything’s taken care of.
Picking a meal plan (all-inclusive, full-board, half-board, etc.)
As I said, on 3 out of our 4 most recent vacations, we opted to go all-inclusive. And that worked well for us. But, if you’re keen to try some of the local food, you could opt for full-board (all meals included, no drinks) or half-board (two daily meals included, no drinks).
Many people, when booking a package holiday, do opt for some kind of meal plan, as trying to decide on a restaurant will often lead to disappointment for someone. That’s why when we eat out on vacation, we tend to just go with the flow and not book our meals out in advance. We’ve had some of our best meals in the most unexpected spots – a small food truck by the harbour, a family-run café, and a restaurant tucked behind a row of shops.
💡Top tip: On the Beach often features destination guides that include local food recommendations, which can be a great starting point. Use them for ideas, but let curiosity lead you. A bit of spontaneity gives your days a rhythm that feels natural rather than forced.
Start budgeting early
One of the biggest triggers for stress when planning holidays is money, not because travel has to be expensive, but because costs pile up when left to the last minute. Booking early means better flight times, more hotel choices, and fewer compromises.
The reason why we booked with On the Beach the first time is that they have an option to reserve your booking with a small deposit. You don’t need to pay for everything at once, which removes that heavy feeling that often comes right after you click “confirm.”
Being able to pay in stages made the whole process feel more manageable for us.
Ensure your passport is in date and you have all your travel documents
It’s easy to overlook paperwork until it’s too late. Checking passport dates, travel insurance, and booking confirmations a few weeks before your trip prevents last-minute panic. Many people now store these details digitally, but having a printed copy never hurts.
When we booked with On the Beach, we received detailed confirmations listing everything from flight times to hotel addresses. And I kept all of it in a digital folder.
It was a small step that made a big difference to us as it meant I wasn’t searching through my bags for the paperwork when we arrived.
Pack smart
Packing tends to divide people. Some treat it like a checklist to conquer, while others throw in the basics and hope for the best. The trick to keeping it stress-free is to aim for balance. Take what you’ll need, not what you *might* need.
A few comfortable outfits that work for both day and evening, a reliable pair of sandals, sunscreen, and a good hat are usually enough. One of the best tips I’ve heard is to leave a little room in your luggage. Holidays often involve spontaneous finds, whether it’s a local market souvenir or a book picked up at the airport.
When You Get There …
Make a plan, but don’t overdo it
It’s tempting to plan every day down to the hour, especially when you’re excited about exploring somewhere new. But overplanning can take away from the ease that makes beach holidays so appealing in the first place.
Try listing a few activities or landmarks you’d like to see and leave the rest open. Maybe one day turns into a long beach walk or a slow lunch in a seaside café you hadn’t noticed before. Some of the best holiday moments happen by accident.
Disconnect to reconnect
Holidays nowadays come with a constant temptation: staying online. Even while lazing on the beach, many people find themselves scrolling through messages or checking work emails. That habit can stop you from truly unwinding. I know I’m guilty of this at times.
So, before you go, download what you need, like maps, playlists, or reading material, so you can switch off your data without feeling cut off.
Thanks for Reading!
Planning a holiday can feel like another task on a long list of things to do, but if approached with a different mindset, it can actually become part of the enjoyment. Browsing destinations, imagining the food, the view, and the feeling of the sun are all early parts of the holiday experience.
What On the Beach does well is simplify the process so that this stage stays light and enjoyable. With clear information and flexible booking, you can plan without pressure. That means more time to think about what really matters: rest, connection, and a bit of sunshine.
While you’re here, you may also enjoy –
Are Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts Worth It?
The Honest Truth About Being a Travel Blogger
Best Cities to Visit in Europe if You’re a Foodie
What to Do When Your Flight is Delayed or Canceled
Last Updated on October 29, 2025 by snaphappytravel