Anyone who’s watched National Lampoon’s European Vacation (and surely that’s everyone) will have a very specific mixture of feelings about traveling to Europe with the kids. On the one hand it is a wonderful opportunity to experience new cultures and see some breath taking scenery and truly awe-inspiring history.
But on the other hand, it can seem a daunting task. Flight arrangements, accommodation, even the question of which cities you will visit and how to get from one to the next. Here are some simple tips to help make sure everything runs smoothly.
Be prepared
Preparation is key to stress-free travel. This applies to the things you can get done well in advance, such as ensuring travel documents are up to date and researching helpful tips about Schengen Travel Insurance to those final preparations before boarding the flight.
It is also important to prepare the children as much as possible for what is to come. The whole experience of going through an airport and spending as long as 10 hours on an airplane can be a daunting one for anyone, but for small children it can be downright terrifying. Prepare them for what to expect at the airport – you could even role play the security checks and the in-flight safety briefings!
If you are traveling somewhere that English is not widely spoken, such as France or Italy, teaching the kids a few phrases in the local language will also help them get so much more out of the experience.
Exercise flexibility
When you are visiting Europe and you have children with you, flexibility needs to be your watchword. There are numerous cheap flights between European destinations – often as cheap as $50 per person – but you need to be ready to grab them when they arise, and it can mean flying at unusual times from different airports.
Where to go
This is very much a personal decision, but make things easy on yourself by starting your European adventure in an English-speaking country. England is the obvious choice, but also consider the spectacular scenery of Scotland or the legendary hospitality of Ireland. From there, France, Greece, Portugal and Italy are popular choices, but there are really so many wonderful destinations to choose from. If you like adventurous and active pursuits, Croatia has a lot to offer, while those who want to drink in the culture should really try to fit in a visit to Austria, and in particular Vienna.
Where to stay
There are more choices than ever when it comes to accommodation. Hotels and boarding houses are plentiful across Europe and there’s something to suit every budget. However, for a family, renting a whole house through a platform like Airbnb can be both convenient and cost-effective. It also allows you to incorporate more of that home routine into your travels when it comes time to get the kids fed, washed and tucked up in bed ready to face the challenges and excitement of the next stage in their European adventure.
