Congratulations! Your family is heading out of the country for the next family vacation. You may have waited years for this moment to arrive, patiently watching the kids grow old enough to appreciate a special Europe vacation. You probably saved up for it by sacrificing other items that could have made your day-to-day life easier, or by limiting the budget on previous family vacations. You may have joined an organized tour, or be planning it all yourself.
Whatever the situation, now that you're ready to make that big trip as one happy family unit, don't forget a few last minute tips that will help guarantee, well, if not the trip of a lifetime, at least the first of many dream adventures you'll enjoy together.
10 Tips for Overseas Travel that I Urge You to Consider
1. Think like a parent before you go.
Just because you're able to pull off this fantastic adventure doesn't mean your work is done. You're still in charge, and have a responsibility to dicuss topics like school work, reading lists, use of electronic devices, junk food, discipline, behavior on the plane, etc. so everyone knows what to expect.
2. Be cautious about travel documents.
Depending on your destination, you may need visas and other travel documents (such as notarized consent to travel letters if you're a single parent) for every family member. In addition to passports, make copies of all e-tickets, birth certificates, ATM account info and tuck them into a safe place. Travel insurance is a great idea for many destinations.
3. Determine your mode of transport in advance.
While the internet has made last minute planning easy, I don't recommend you wing it overseas when you're with the kids. They'll really want to know if you're changing countries by plane, train or ferry. If you book your tickets and pinpoint certain travel dates in advance (a real money-saving technique), it's easier to hang loose the rest of the trip. An organized tour eliminates this concern, but preparing the kids for each leg of the trip is still worthwhile.
4. Book hotels in advance.
If you're traveling in Europe in summer, for example, it's very difficult to find a hotel room that sleeps more than three and, adjoining rooms, when they exist, are super expensive. Commit in advance to a few budget places such as family rooms in hostels, countryside villas, full-sevice campgrounds or island cottages so you're guaranteed a place the kids can lay their heads.
5. Stay Healthy.
Following the motto, "Have Kids, Still Travel!" we know that long distance overland treks are wearing on everyone. Additionally, constant fatigue and exposure to different cultures can lead to stomach problems and illnesses. In the trip planning stages, consult the CDC, WHO or the pediatrician about your destination's likely illnesses. If you don't want to carry a doctor's kit, at the very least, insist that everyone in the family use handwipes or disinfectant gel regularly.
6. Pack Lightly.
In this day and age, you can buy everything everywhere. That goes for diapers, batteries, books and socks. Hand wash clothes as soon as you arrive at a destination. Insist that everyone in the family packs lightly so they can be responsible for their own carry-on luggage whether you're on a train, plane or automobile journey.
7. Bestow allowance.
We know you saved up for this trip, and you may have asked the kids to put away pennies, too. Nonetheless, allowance — no matter what the age of your children — is a pain point in the parent-child relationship. Be sure to allot spending money to each child, and don't judge how they spend it. That toy doubledecker bus may forever mean more than waiting outside Buckingham Palace for the guards to change.
8. Get kids involved in the research.
This is sound practice for any family vacation, but when you're traveling abroad it's even more important. Share which cultures you'll encounter and let kids do online research, try new foods at ethnic restaurants, shop iTunes for world music, or use Netflix to find films made at your intended destination. It all adds to the anticipation, and making kids stakeholders in the success of your trip will pay off.
9. Give everyone time to connect to friends back home.
Don't be a stranger just because you're on the road. Travelers no longer have to wait at the post office to call home; cybercafes, smartphones and local calling cards enable instant communication. Sharing the adventure with friends will help keep your teens, especially, engaged in the trip and ready to see and do more.
10. Cut your plans in half.
You don't have to start the itinerary planning by assuming you'll only get to half the museums included on your multi-attraction pass. But I guarantee you — and the whole family — will realize that truth eventually. Please don't overplan, don't force the kids to wake up early every day, don't miss baby's naps; don't insist on sightseeing 7 days per week.
Relax. Children and serendipity is the best combination we know.
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Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!
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I love spending time in London. I think if you want to spend time out of the city, Brighton is also a great place to visit, especially as it’s close by. There are a number of family-friendly hotels, too, like The Brighton Hotel:
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It’s a steam excursion train, shorter ride, probably many kids on board. This would be better suited to younger children. Much better choice for the under-12 set.
Ralph
Originally created as a recreation area for employees of the Hershey Chocolate factory, today Hershey Park boasts plenty of chocolate paraphernalia, as well as roller coasters and a water park. Tickets include admission to the nearby ZOOAMERICA. Originally owned by the Knott’s jam producers, Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park is one of the older parks in the US, Knott’s Berry Farm is a classic for those looking for thrill rides, water rides and family fun.
Hi Ralph, thank you for your reply. I haven’t booked it yet as I had similar reservations that since it’s an 8-hr journey, it will not be wise to take the kids at this age but would love to take them on a shorter train tour, I’m currently looking at the Jacobite express (here in the UK).
Hello Zeb,
For children under 10, It would simply be too long a day in too confined a space for them, might get a little boring for them after the first 20 minutes; it’s an eight-hour journey.
If they are active, there isn’t a lot of room to run around on the train, which is smaller than the ones we are used to here in the U.S.
If you have already booked a space, and will have toddlers or young children, suggest you bring lots of things to keep the little ones entertained.
Ralph
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Have been to Switzerland but missed the Glacier Express, I’ve heard it really one of the best train journeys in the World with amazing mountain/alps view. Is it good to travel with kids 7 and 4 years old) too, since it’s 8 hours long?
Sunlight, particularly in late summer and fall, sets off the production of anthocyanin. Cloudy weather dampens production and leads to less colorful displays. Many scientists argue that warming temperatures do not have much to do with the intensity of color, only with its timing: when it appears and how long it lasts. But Howard Neufeld, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, said climate change could eventually affect the complex processes in leaf senescence and lower anthocyanin production, dulling the autumn reds.
Gladiator School – My new favorite thing to do in Rome. We did this on our last trip to Rome and both kids and adults absolutely loved it. Instructors are great. Highly recommended. Book far in advance. (Pictured above.) Walking Tour: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill – Excellent guided tour of Ancient Rome. Skip the line to enter all three sites. Very kid-friendly.
Deer Valley caters to families with kid-friendly skiing, child care programs and a limited child-to-instructor ratio. Because Deer Valley sells a limited number of daily lift tickets, tiny tots and pint-sized groms have plenty of room to work on their pizza wedge and French fries. Other amenities include a Children s Center, Adventure Camp and furry mascots on the Adventure Trails. I grew up skiing here and learned to love the mountains and snow at this resort. The amenities are top notch and the food is amazing. As a young kid, when the skiing got tough, I would always head inside and get delicious food and hot cocoa. See more Deer Valley reviews here .
Fall is very busy in the mountainous regions with the influx of leaf peepers from the New England area, around the United States and the world. In these extremely popular areas, you ll want to make lodging reservations at least several weeks ahead, especially on weekends. Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7-9, 2017) is another time in which advanced booking is advised throughout the region.
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Traveling to other cities with your kiddos? Don’t miss Curbed’s maps of the best family activities
Good to know : West Valley is open daily from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Apples are $0.85 a pound. Follow their Facebook page for updates on U-pick apples. And be sure to bring containers for their popular juice pressed right on site!
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great pick for outdoor-loving families thanks to kid-friendly (and free) favorites like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to more than 40 outdoor works of art
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The K Bar S Lodge, built in 2006, is located a short distance from Mount Rushmore. It is quietly secluded on 31 forested acres and away from busy streets. Battle Creek winds its way throughout the property and the large meadow in front of the Lodge is often a playground for deer and turkeys. As a single traveler it was so fun to be with this group. It s much nicer to be with others when you share a great experience or see something wonderful. And, it s safer than traveling alone. I m hooked on Road Scholar.
Rockefeller State Park offers seasonal activities including hiking, running, bird-watching, fishing ( New York state fishing license required), picnicking, horseback-riding, carriage-driving, photography, painting, and geocaching (park permit required). Sleepy Hollow and neighboring Tarrytown have a deep immigrant history resulting in a rich mix of cuisines: Italian, Greek, Mexican, Indian, French, Portuguese, Irish, Japanese, Dominican, Chinese, Ecuadorian, Thai, Moroccan, and Chilean. Foodies should not miss the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow farmers market at Patriots Park where you ll find fresh Hudson Valley produce, meat, bread, and wine.
Speaking of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, don t miss out on seeing the Rockettes show-stopping leg kick precision chorus during the holidays at Radio City Music Hall.
Jimmy Buffet s restaurant is a short walk from the Comfort Suites Paradise Island Hotel and Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. What could be better than eating a literal Cheeseburger in Paradise? Pairing it with a yummy margarita, of course.
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Make sure you check out the new sustainable Christmas Market in Berlin!! Its located by Hacksnshiremarkt!
What s more exhilarating than seeing the city from 108 floors above the world-famous Las Vegas Strip? Jumping off it. Strap in and face your fear as you jump off the side of SkyPod at The STRAT.
Have you ever dreamed of creating your own ice sculpture? The Quebec Winter Carnival has just what you’re looking for! Bring your group to our Ice Sculpture Workshops under the guidance of a team led by none other than Marc Lepire, chief sculptor of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace! During this one-hour event, you will learn the workflow of master sculptors and enjoy the unique experience of carving your own solid ice block with your group of 2 to 4 people. Free all-you-can-drink hot chocolate will keep you warm throughout the frosty fun.
When you’re travelling with your kids, indoor-fun options are a must no matter what the season. Montreal saves the day with all kinds of activities, from adventurous physical feats to skill-testing games and educational entertainment.
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We have traveled through several airports in Germany but never Munich. We will keep Munich on our list for the next trip through Europe since it sounds like the best place to have a stop over with kids. Thanks for the review and the information for kids to do in Munich Airport.
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