What does everyone actually want from a week away?

Planning a family holiday often begins with one cheerful question – “Where shall we go?” – and quickly produces several completely different answers. One person pictures lazy mornings, another wants to try every activity available, and somebody else simply wants reliable Wi-Fi and chips. The destination matters, of course, but understanding how everyone wants to feel may be more useful. Ask each family member to choose the personality below that sounds most like them. Hybrids are allowed; most of us are an Adventurer until lunchtime and a Lounger immediately afterwards – and that’s absolutely fine.

The Adventurer: “I want to do something new!”

The Adventurer sees a week away as a chance to move, learn and collect stories. This might be a six-year-old desperate to paddleboard, a teenager wanting freedom from the family sunlounger, or a parent who has spent months dreaming about getting back on a bike. They do not necessarily want a relentless itinerary, but they need more than seven identical pool days. 

A refreshing active holiday can suit this personality because different family members can try activities at their own pace rather than committing everyone to the same pursuit. Give the Adventurer one clear opportunity each day (like a tennis session, sailing lesson, cycle ride or family challenge), then leave room around it. Otherwise, enthusiasm can very quickly turn into exhaustion.

It is also worth letting children help select activities before you travel. Priceline’s 2026 research found that 87% of parents said their children helped choose and plan their trips, suggesting that younger travellers increasingly expect a voice rather than a finished itinerary handed to them.

The Lounger: “I want to relax!”

The Lounger is not lazy. They may be a tired parent, a grandparent who prefers a slower pace, a younger child who becomes overwhelmed by busy days or a teenager recovering from school and social overload. Their ideal holiday includes slow breakfasts, familiar food, a comfortable base and afternoons with nowhere urgent to be.

The mistake is assuming that everybody relaxes in the same way. But whilst one person may want a book beside the pool, another finds a peaceful swim or easy coastal walk more restorative. Protect actual downtime by choosing accommodation where resting does not mean missing out completely. A terrace, pool or beach close to the main activities allows the Lounger to opt in when they wish. Our guide to European travel destinations for families has some ideas on places that combine things to do with space for parents and children to slow down, if you’re looking for some inspiration!

The Explorer: “I want to see things!”

The Explorer wants a sense of place. They are the family member reading about nearby villages, looking for the local market or asking whether that boat goes anywhere interesting. Older children might want independence and photographs that do not look like everyone else’s holiday, while younger ones often enjoy small discoveries (and yes, this could just be a different ice-cream flavour or a lizard on a warm stone). Their happiest day may mix one organised activity with time outside the holiday bubble.

Let the Explorer choose one shared outing, but avoid turning every day into a sightseeing mission. Keep the practical side light, too. Comfortable shoes, water, snacks and a flexible return plan make exploring much more pleasant, especially with children.

The Connector: “I want to spend time together!”

The Connector is less concerned about what the family does than whether it feels shared. This person can accidentally become the holiday’s social organiser, insisting that everyone participate because “we came away to be together”. Their wish is lovely, but compulsory togetherness can create the opposite effect. Plan one reliable anchor each day (like breakfast, an evening meal, a swim or a low-pressure activity) and allow everyone some independence around it. 

Hilton’s 2026 travel research found that 84% of travellers intended to seek opportunities for the whole family to play together, but meaningful connection does not require being inseparable from morning until night. A child returning from a kids’ session, a parent coming back from a bike ride and a grandparent emerging from a calm afternoon will often have more energy and more to talk about than a family that has spent eight hours negotiating the same schedule.

The best family holiday is rarely designed entirely around one personality. You may not achieve perfect agreement (and somebody will probably still complain about the restaurant), but a little compromise, plus dedicated time for individual interests, gives everyone a genuine stake in the week. And that’s usually far more valuable than forcing the whole family to enjoy the same version of fun.

This is a collaborative post.