The holiday period is primarily an excellent opportunity to rest and recharge, but also a chance to enjoy numerous attractions and explore interesting places, for which there is often little time during the year.
When going on a family vacation or a weekend for two, it's worth preparing by considering the needs of each participant individually, carefully weighing the pros and cons of the trip, and planning the budget wisely. When individual elements are analyzed well in advance, it is much easier to achieve comfort and satisfaction during the trip. So, how to plan a successful holiday break?
Organizing a vacation or even a short break without children at the last minute can be problematic. Sure, spontaneous trips to the seaside happen, but they come with certain limitations, e.g., concerning accommodation. Therefore, it is better to approach this thoughtfully, as issues may arise during the trip that need to be discussed and refined with the participants.
A key issue is the financial aspect and the final budget intended for the trip. Another important factor is the location, amenities, hotel standard, or on-site activities, e.g., for children. It's worth thinking about what distance from the beach will satisfy us and defining priorities—that is, aspects that must be met and those where compromises can be made, such as whether the place must have a swimming pool.
Planning a holiday for the whole family that will be successful and memorable may seem like a big challenge. However, it doesn't have to be! Proper planning requires some effort, such as setting priorities or comparing several options. What to pay attention to when planning a seaside holiday?
To plan a successful holiday by the sea, it’s best to start by determining at least an approximate location. If traveling without a car, a comfortable arrival is extremely important. For family trips, it’s worth choosing a town that offers optimal possibilities in terms of attractions (for young children, teenagers, and adults) as well as conditions for communing with nature.
Remember that prices are highest during the peak season, so sometimes a vacation in June or September can be more budget-friendly. Not only that, if we want to avoid crowds, off-season guarantees fewer people. If we care about a specific place and its offer but cannot plan a stay there during the peak season, prices in autumn or spring will be lower than in July or August.
On the other hand, summer is full of attractions. Cultural events, a wide range of opportunities, numerous museums, seasonal and outdoor attractions—there are definitely fewer off-season. Vacationers must analyze what matters more to them. Choosing to vacation in September might reveal a lack of interesting events, and not all restaurants or amusement parks may be open.
The next thing is suitable accommodation. It’s wonderful if the lodging is in a quiet area, away from busy streets, surrounded by greenery, close to the sea, and at the same time near the main attractions and the town center, where there will be plenty of options for leisure. However, such options are highly sought after and reservations must be made quickly. Additionally, they are often not the cheapest, which can impact the budget. Remember also that while adults like to relax surrounded by nature, children may find this... boring. Therefore, a great option is, among others, booking a stay near a promenade but far enough to fully enjoy peace.
The offer of seaside accommodations includes various rooms, including those of high standard, apartments, and luxury premium apartments. They differ not only in price but also in amenities. The most luxurious apartments have features such as their own jacuzzi on the terrace with a stunning sea view, king-size beds, or freestanding bathtubs.
Regarding accommodation rather than location, consider carefully what will be necessary for a successful holiday. Some tourists treat the hotel just as a base and a place to sleep. However, many spend a lot of time in their rooms, e.g., when accompanied by a small child (space inside also matters here). Everyone should decide what kind of accommodation suits them while keeping the price in mind. Booking an apartment may not always be beneficial if you spend little time there. Conversely, a standard room might have little space to fit a crib for a toddler. Or maybe we are looking for something special? If a room with a bathtub is important, it’s worth asking when booking. When a trip is connected with a special occasion, going bigger – a romantic weekend for two with an exclusive jacuzzi on the terrace or in the room – is the way to go!
Each of us has specific financial possibilities, which often are the deciding factor when planning a vacation. Although holidays are often a special occasion awaited throughout the year and we are sometimes willing to increase the originally planned budget, it is wise to approach the matter sensibly. It’s good to consider not only expenses related to accommodation and meals, which are crucial, but also transportation, attractions, insurance, or an emergency fund “just in case.”
Seaside holidays usually involve unexpected expenses. It’s better to add about 20-30% to the planned budget to ensure enough funds for everything. A good method is also creating a list of essential items and those we can easily do without. Writing them down clearly shows what is not really needed and what is a priority. During holidays in Poland, where the weather isn’t always perfect, it’s good to invest a little in attractive leisure activities beyond just sunbathing.
Speaking of budget—pets are an important topic here. Owners must bring their pets on vacation or find good care for them. Fortunately, many places accept pets, usually for an additional fee. Gwiazda Morza is a pet-friendly facility, and the fee for a pet’s stay is 150 PLN for the entire stay, regardless of its length. From this amount, we donate 15 PLN to the Pomeranian Center for Wild Animal Rehabilitation Ostoja in Pomieczyno. Not all hotels and resorts have such solutions, so this should be kept in mind when traveling with pets. In hotels, a dog or cat’s stay often costs as much as 100-150 PLN per day, which paradoxically can make the pet’s stay more expensive than ours.
Another aspect is the comfort of our four-legged friend during the holiday. Animals, as you know, may react differently to new places and poorly tolerate commotion. At peak season in tourist destinations, there are many people, crowds on the promenade, and noise on the beach. If the pet finds this problematic, sometimes it’s better to travel alone. It’s always necessary to ask whether the pet can come to a given facility, preferably before booking—this information can often be found on websites or social media, but if not, it’s worth contacting the facility directly.
The aspect of meals is also important when going on vacation. Some prefer just breakfasts, while others can't imagine a successful trip without an All-inclusive package. The optimal meal format depends on how the person will spend their time and whether they travel alone or with children. All-inclusive seaside holidays in Poland seem tailor-made for families, while active hotel guests usually need just one meal a day since they spend most of their time outside accommodation. For example, at Gwiazda Morza, you can choose full board, one or two meals option, or all-inclusive. If during the day we usually explore and walk, or prefer to sunbathe longer, the HB option, that is breakfasts and dinners, is the most advantageous. When planning full-day outings, BB (breakfast only) or skipping meals completely is also an option. The All-inclusive option, or “everything included,” is very convenient and tempting, so it’s worth considering.
We wrote extensively about planning a successful vacation with little ones in the post Vacations with a child by the sea - how not to go crazy? - we encourage you to check out the advice!
Briefly touching the topic: when traveling with a child, pay attention to the room or apartment equipment. Maybe the chosen offer lacks a kitchenette, which is often key, especially for infants. Sometimes a kettle for tea is insufficient, and bathing a toddler in the shower is inconvenient, so a room with a bathtub would be more suitable. It’s also important that hotel interiors have equipment adapted to various needs and enough space, e.g., for a travel cot or stroller.
Another important aspect is attractions. None of us likes to be bored, so it’s worth ensuring options for spending time for little ones and not only them. Remember, age plays a crucial role here—a teenager will enjoy different options than a 5-year-old. And in bad weather, it’s good to have entertainment options ready to enjoy.
The date also matters - if choosing a seaside holiday off-season, some local attractions may be unavailable. Then the presence of attractions in the hotel may be more important.
Regarding attractions in Władysławowo and surroundings, we mentioned it in our guide - What to do by the sea? Guide to Władysławowo and local attractions. From experience, we know it is a valuable source of inspiration and information for you!
The most important thing during holidays is relaxation in an individual style. After all, it is supposed to be an escape and an opportunity to recharge. How we spend our free time depends only on us. Some love active sightseeing, others dream of sleeping in a comfortable hotel bed and limiting activity to a minimum. Everyone relaxes differently, which is perfectly normal. However, some decide to try something more, experience new things during holidays, or even overcome fears—at our resort, overcoming personal limits often takes place on a climbing wall :) you can read more about it in the post Climbing wall for everyone.
A tailored holiday by the Baltic should suit our needs, but it’s also good to have a few ideas for bad weather. Spa Zone, sauna, pool or apartment with jacuzzi are great alternatives then. Our Spa offer is broad and adapted to all guests – including treatments for children, youth, pregnant women, men, seniors – lots to choose from. It is important to ensure entertainment for both small and large. Holidays with children by the sea, with a pool and animations, is our proven way for great fun for the youngest. But let’s not forget about parents or grandparents. Adults can enjoy various sports activities (some are suitable for the whole family, including little ones), the excellent Restaurant H12 or the hotel winery.
It’s also good to think about time on the beach, bring along crossword puzzles, magazines, books or – if we are the type who appreciate active relaxation – beach balls, frisbee, or badminton equipment. The most important thing is to spend the holiday your way, allowing yourself pleasures and lounging to your heart’s content. No pressure!
Additionally, the surroundings of Gwiazda Morza offer excellent walking trails – the Coastal Landscape Park is a great place for Nordic Walking fans, bike trips, running, or family hikes with local nature observation. The trails are easy, so even with a stroller it’s no big problem.
A holiday in Poland, by the Baltic Sea, is truly a great option not only for families but also for couples or groups of friends. Regardless of whom we plan to go to the coast with, for how long, or when, proper planning is crucial for participants' satisfaction and enjoyment of the vacation. We don’t think of many things at first, so we hope our little guide on how to plan a successful holiday has been helpful or at least inspiring to you.
