Traveling Abroad with Your Family BY JULIANNA STEEN
P lanning a trip to the grocery store with kids can be stressful, so the concept of organizing an international adventure with your entire family in tow? Talk about overwhelming (and perhaps slightly terrifying!). I won’t lie—it is a large endeavor to take on, but the blessings that come from travel far outweigh the work you put in it. Here are some practical tips and things to consider as you plan. Consider Your Family’s Priorities Sit down and talk with your spouse and your kids about where they want to go and what they want to do. Travel advisor Ashley Homan puts it this way: “If you have kids with different interests, give kids choices… so each member feels like they have a say in what they do.” Make sure there’s something in the itinerary that interests everyone. Not only will it make the trip more fun, it will help clarify how you should allocate your time and planning. Pack Light One of the most ideal aspects of European travel is the walkability of cities… but luggage wheels and cobblestone roads don’t go well together. Not to mention trying to pull your heavy suitcase up hills and/or stairs to your accommodations or attempting to place it in the overhead compartment on the train. Homan explains it this way: “Don’t
overpack: Less is more in this situation, especially if you have younger kids. You need to take into consideration getting on and off trains with the kids and your luggage.” Not to mention, you save time and money when booking flights! Though it may not be realistic to pack in a carry-on bag if you have to pack a stroller and diapers, the lighter your bag is, the easier it will be to lug around. If you have kids over age seven, allow them to bring their own backpacks and encourage them to only pack toys and electronics that they can carry on their own when they’re walking in the train station or airport. (Otherwise, you may end up with three backpacks!) Homan also recommends bringing laundry detergent pods so you can wash kids’ clothes in the sink and use the line in the bathroom to dry them. Lots of hotels and Airbnbs also have washers and dryers, and on cruises, you can pay them to do a load of laundry. Plan Ahead, But Be Flexible It can be tempting to stress if you don’t have every minute of every day planned out, but I’ve found that it honestly works better when you leave part of your schedule open. I hate to break it to you, but something will go wrong, no matter how diligently you plan. And you know what? That’s okay. Some of my favorite moments have been unplanned,
whether it be stumbling upon a parade or a festival, discovering a really yummy gelato shop on my way home from dinner, or simply having fun talking with a friend while sitting on a bench by the water. Nevertheless, it is important to include some structure and plan ahead for attractions that typically sell out of tickets, restaurants that you want to eat at, and transportation like train tickets. Flexibility is even more essential when you add kids into the picture. As Homan points out, “Don’t overschedule yourself. With younger kids and naptime, you’ve got to be flexible. Having a driver or a private guide can also be really helpful.” Her biggest tip when it comes to planning? “Pick one morning activity and leave the afternoon open or vice versa.” It’s not realistic to pretend your entire family will be happy to explore from sunrise to sunset. The “one-plan-per-day” rule will help you determine your “must-dos,” so you won’t miss out. Make sure to plan something the first afternoon you arrive so everyone stays awake—it will help make the time change transition smoother. (But give yourself and the kids grace, because it will take their bodies a few days to adjust to the new time zone.) Do Your Research When you’re trip planning, Pinterest, blogs, and travel forums will become your best
16 COLORADO PARENT MARCH 2025
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