Travelling with kids could be both, a nightmare or a dream, it only depends on how are you going to plan the trip. If you are facing some difficulties in the organization, here you can find some useful information for your future family trip. Here are 5 things you should keep in mind about how to make your trip with children more pleasant for you and for them.
Choose the right location and period
It is of a great importance to choose the right location when travelling with kids. It must be a place where you feel safe to bring them. Take care, before leaving, to find all the necessary information about the presence of facilities and entertainment suitable for kids. The period is also important, try to travel when it is off-season, in order to avoid traffic while traveling. If the children are already going to school, then you don’t have much of a choice than to pick some date when they are on vacation. Booking in advance might be a good thing, because it is surely cheaper, but who can predict the future and a possible illness? In that way try to either book your trip later, or find a refundable trip. However, should you be unlucky, remember to buy a travel insurance for you and for your children, in case of emergencies.
Rent an apartment
Yes, hotels are really great for adults, but the same cannot be said for children. We suggest you therefore rent a small holiday apartment in the place you intend to stay with your family. Choose one with a kitchen, so that you can prepare some food for your little ones, that way you can make sure they will eat what they usually like to eat. Renting an apartment is more comfortable for you and children, who will feel themselves more like at home. Some apartments offer better prices than hotel rooms. However, if you and your children prefer hotels, then look for one close to the centre, supermarket and restaurants.
Pack wisely and don’t overdo it
Here is where most of the parents make mistakes… Take with you only the essential things, and inform yourselves whether you can buy something at the destination or not. If you are travelling by plane, take into consideration that the nappy bag counts as a carry-on luggage. Remember that you can carry liquids in containers that do not exceed 100 ml and baby food is considered as a liquid. Do not bring unnecessary things with you, because that way you will feel uncomfortable while travelling and carrying heavy luggage and at the same time taking care of your children. Should you need some clothes or something else, you can always buy it elsewhere, that can later be considered as a souvenir from the trip and will always remind you at the beautiful days you spent with your children, when you look at it.
Don’t rush
Travelling with kids should be a little bit “slow-motion” and not a constant stressful rush. If you have to take a plane, train or ship, try to leave home well in advance and not at the last second. But also when you are doing sightseeing, just relax and do everything with a slow pace. Enjoy the places and take some photos with your kids. If you have little kids, be prepared to minimize your tour in case they feel tired. What counts more is to be in a great mood during the whole trip, instead forcing and trying to see all of it. A family trip is not the same as a romantic trip when travelling in two, but it can also be great fun and an unforgettable adventurous experience. A lot of comedy films about family trips have been made, now you have the chance to live your own in person!
Rent a car
When travelling with your children, you might consider renting a car as it will provide you a great comfort. Maybe travelling by bus and train is cheaper, but isn’t it more stressful as well? Consider pros and cons to see if it is better to spend more money and be free with your own schedule. Start, stop and make a break whenever and wherever you want. This way will be more relaxing for everybody, instead of rushing with children to take the right bus, train or other means of transportation. Surely it will always be crowded and this way you can avoid it. Just make sure to follow also the road signs and not only the navigation system, because it is not always very trustful, especially in a foreign country and you don’t want to end up alone with the children in the middle of nowhere.
Hopefully you will find this information useful while planning or being on your trip. Remember to laugh a lot, to have fun, to visit places, to take it slowly and enjoy your trip, because the trip is about vacation, relax and bringing family closer together. Just be well organized and you will all have a great trip. If plans happen to change, don’t worry about it, make a new plan and go on! We wish you a nice trip with your children! Don’t forget to relax as well!