We love taking the kids to explore places we’ve never been before. We love city breaks and are firm believers that travel broadens the mind. We’ve enjoyed taking our three children to Paris, Rome, Copenhagen, Naples and Billund in the past couple of years and have had an amazing time on each trip.
Travelling with kids doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. If you do your planning and preparation right, there’s no reason why the whole family can’t have a fantastic trip.
Pack Activities For The Plane and Airport
We often find waiting at the airport can be the most trying part of the trip. We always ensure to get there in plenty time so we’re not on the last minute but it can mean the kids can become a bit restless having to wait around. We have learnt to always have a bag with snacks, iPads, puzzle books, reading books and colouring pens to keep them entertained.
Obviously you can’t plan for everything. Unfortunately there may be a flight delay that you can’t account for. Thankfully there’s companies such as Flightright who can help you get compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled. There’s nothing worse than starting or ending your holiday on a bad note, so knowing Flightright are there to help can be a great comfort.
Research Where You’re Staying
It’s so important to research where you’re staying. Not just so you can have an idea of facilities but also the location. We’ve found the location is more important than the hotel itself. We will always try to stay somewhere central where possible or at least near public transport. When we visited Copenhagen in December we stayed in a quiet area just outside the city centre but across the road from the train station. The location was perfect.
My husband and I could happily wander aimlessly around cities, taking in our surroundings and enjoying the culture. However the kids can easily become restless with too much walking so knowing what transport options are open to you can be really helpful. You could travel by bus, train or taxi, or if it’s a special occasion you could even rent a party bus in Coral Springs! Who wouldn’t enjoy being driven around in a limo?!
Check Age Restrictions Before You Visit
To avoid disappointment it’s always worth checking if there are any restrictions to where you want to visit. We were worried about taking the kids to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel but checked beforehand that they would be ok to enter.
It’s also worth checking the ages when it comes to admission prices. A lot of the places we have visited have been free for under fives so attractions can be cheaper than anticipated.
Visit When It’s Quieter
If it’s possible it’s always worth visiting the main attractions when it’s quieter, be it earlier in the morning or later afternoon. Travelling during non peak times would be ideal but that isn’t always possible if you’re restricted to school holidays.
Understand Their Limitations
You need to be realistic with your plans, especially with younger children. Children aren’t going to want to spend a whole day walking around cities. We always plan in meal breaks and fun activities. When we were in Rome we had mornings exploring and afternoons relaxing by the pool.
Hopefully these tips will be of use if you’re planning a trip with kids! Have any tips of your own to share? Let us know in the comments.
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