My son woke up saying: "Can we go to Italy tomorrow for lasagna?" My family recently returned to Canada from a 4-week family vacation in Italy. In the past, we traveled to all-inclusive resorts for the convenience and ease in travelling with small children. Travelling to Italy to visit Rome and family in the beautiful south region of Calabria - was a bit scary but we knew that the trip would not be "wasted" and that our son would ultimately benefit from this experience. Travelling with your children can be great family fun, creating piles of lifelong memories ultimately creating stories..
Yes, it's all about the experiences...but preparing for a trip with a small child was top of mind for my husband and I so that we would not be overly exhausted and in need of another vacation when back home! So here are some tips and/or lessons learned when traveling to Europe (with a kid):
1. PLAN AHEAD
Prep your kid(s) before you leave home, talk about what they'll be seeing, doing or eating in Europe. Book early. Not only will you benefit from better prices for flights, hotels, etc. but you will be able to create your own itinerary/schedule to maximize the time you have. Even though "experts" say to book flights 6-8 weeks in advance, my family booked our flights to Europe 9 months in advance! Not only did we benefit from a price perspective, we found our hotel in Rome in a central location close to many attractions. For all-inclusive resorts, booking 6-8 months in advance can also be advantageous.
We were also able to secure flights with our preferred airlines. "Cheap" flights may seem to be a great deal but not in many cases. Often times these flights depart and arrive from remote airports and not at the best time of day. With small children, this can result in increased stress and frustration for everyone! Either way, just remember to purchase cancellation insurance for the entire family and a Travel Advisor can also help with this!
2. RESEARCH, RESEARCH AND RESEARCH
Reviewing and making a list of family-friendly restaurants near your hotel or sites saves you time (especially with a "starving" child) and can save you money. Look for local restaurants so you and your family can experience local cuisine and culture in that country.
My family travelled to Italy in August- very hot! My husband compiled a list of family-owned "Trattorias" restaurants in Rome. He did not think about the Ferragosto in Italy (August 15) whereas local dives are closed for the public holiday and family vacation until the end of the month. This derailed us!
Also, selecting tours that consider children's and parent's needs and wants is very important and I recommend that setting up structured activities to a minimum. Flexibility is key. You may want to tour on your own but for famous sites such as the Vatican, you may want to consider arranging a tour. My family chose a tour guide for the Vatican that was greatly appreciated. Our tour guide knew the challenges parents with children can face when touring- such as tiredness, hunger, anxiousness, distraction- and our guide being adaptable and flexible throughout the tour provided us some relief. He also frequently paused to take small breaks! When in doubt, contact a Travel Advisor for help to book a suitable Tour or Tour Guide!
3. TAKE IT SLOW AND DON'T FORGET THE SMALL STUFF
Stay calm..unfortunately the ride will not go on without any bumps. Focus on the fun, the people and the experiences while away. When in Italy, I knew my son would get tired easily and that it could translate into a full blown meltdown so what did we do to prevent these meltdowns? We made our child feel as comfortable as possible such as providing gummy bears on the plane while take off, using a stroller in Rome (highly recommended), bringing snacks with us wherever we were accompanied with a water bottle, etc. I asked my son "what would you like to do?" and as suspected, he wanted to visit McDonald's in Rome! This provided some time for him to decompress in a somewhat familiar environment. With all the walking and touring we did in Italy, our child did very well and had a great family vacation!
Want More Help with Your Family Travel Plans? There is information online on "Family Travel" or feel free to contact me when you want to consider and book a family getaway! maria@roundbrilliantravel.ca
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