How, when and where?

Por: Kathryn | |

There seems to be so much material that would be relevant to families traveling with children, and I am sure that so much of this is just plain common sense. Sometimes though the most obvious details can get lost in the task of packing, planning  and logistics. Oh yeah, that is one of my favourite words. In my experience, travel with kids is all about L.O.G.I.S.T.I.C.S.

Many families who have traveled with children will have glorious memories of amazing travel, but I am sure that an equal number will have the horror stories about the “dream vacation” that just didn’t turn out to be what they thought or imagined when they had planned it, and so their memories were more of a horror vacation than a dream. We have certainly had one of those. That was a lesson we learned back in the early days with just 2 small kids in tow. More on that later………

Our greatest lesson then is to be realistic about what is going to be suitable for the ages and interests of the children. I don’t for a moment suggest you completely sacrifice the interests of the parents but just find a place that your interests and those of the children intersect. That way you will , as a family, have an enjoyable experience and make those valuable travel dollars count.

You can choose your vacation destination then customize the activities you do to appeal to both kids and parents. Even the most historic and cultured cities will have activities suitable for children. It is all about finding a balance of what is fun and interesting for the kids and what things you as adults wish to take away from the holiday.   Let’s face it, when you see the kids having a great time, you are going to be happy and have a great time too. If the kids are miserable and bored, remember they have the “power” to make you pretty miserable as well.  Maybe this means that some more challenging trips with more mature content are planned for years later when children are at a more suitable age.  A romantic Italian holiday taking in the gondolas and splendour of Venezia  could quite easily be a nightmare with a crying  hungry baby and a fractious toddler in tow. Whereas those same delightful children, combined with the same glorious destination  will be the ingredients for pure “magic” just a few years down the track. It is all about being realistic.