We plan them. We look forward to them. We undertake gruelling diet and exercise regimes to look our best for them. Holidays are so precious - they’re our time to do exactly what we want in the company of the people that we love. But what happens if those pesky loved ones don’t want to do the same things with their two weeks in the sun as we do?

Having completely different ideas about what makes a good holiday can be stressful. Take the debate over staying in one place versus taking to the open road. What can you do if you say fly and flop, they say five countries in five days? What happens if you say villa, they say vagabond?

Before you call the whole thing off, we can help. First, we’ll give you a quick rundown on the pros and cons of both types of holiday. Then we’ll find out if there really is a compromise out there to ensure you finally get some holiday harmony.

But whether you decide to play it safe or go for something more adventurous, make sure you have the right kind of travel insurance in place before you go.

The case for villa
If the thought of living out of a suitcase really doesn’t appeal to you, you’re not alone. Many of us shudder at the thought of coming home exhausted from two weeks of travelling, with only hazy memories of places that passed by in a blur.

Stay at a villa and you’ll always know exactly where you’ll be sleeping each night. And, by taking frequent day trips, there’s no reason why staying in one place should curtail your adventurous spirit. Plus you’ll never have that heart-stopping feeling of arriving in a strange place only to find every hotel room is taken.

Staying in one location also has another big advantage as it really gives you time to soak up the rhythms and experiences of local life. You get to live like the locals as you shop in the same markets, and become regulars at your local tavern. Who knows, you may even meet people who become friends for life.

The case for vagabond
Staying two weeks in any one place can feel like such a lot of pressure when it comes to booking your holiday. What if you find there’s a building site right next door to your luxury accommodation and you’re stuck with the sound of a drill waking you at the crack of dawn each day?

Take to the open road and even if you don’t like somewhere you can take off again. And by packing your holiday with as many new experiences and places as possible, it may even make it feel longer.

How to compromise
There are ways to keep both villas and vagabonds happy by combining both aspects in one holiday.

One of the easiest ways is to book somewhere in Europe for a week, and spend a week getting there, stopping at some exciting places on the way.

Or why not do a road trip in style by hiring a luxury motorhome? That way, villas will always have the security of a comfortable base, while the vagabonds out there still have the thrill of the open road.

Whichever you decide, make sure you have the best single trip travel insurance. Alternatively, annual family travel insurance may be the best option if you’re planning several holidays this year. And don’t forget to look for the best exchange rates when you organise your travel money.