Want to go on vacation, but you don’t think you’ll be able to go on vacation with kids? Traveling with a child can really be stressful – or it can turn into a treasured memory of a great time. In this article, we’ll answer the main questions and share important tips and lifehacks.
Preparing for your trip
Before we tell you about finding tickets and hotels, let’s mention the things without which even a perfectly planned trip you won’t enjoy. The success of a trip with children depends a lot on the mood – first of all, the parents, but the kids too. Especially if it is your first trip with a new family.
If before the birth of a child you traveled a lot around the country and the world or went on vacation without children, you probably have an established idea of travel. And now you need to adjust it, otherwise disappointment is inevitable.
Traveling with a child, especially a small one, is not the kind of vacation you are used to. Experienced parents say that traveling with children is not a vacation at all, but a change of scenery. And it’s true. The baby will be tired faster than you and cranky, will refuse to go to the art gallery (or will behave there just terrible), will ask to eat when all the cafes are closed for the afternoon siesta, and on the beach will not give you a second of free time. And if this is understood, it will be much easier.
Choosing a destination
There will not be an exact list in this section – because in fact, you can go anywhere with a child, if you have the desire and the right attitude. You have probably seen on the Internet photos of smiling moms with babies on mountain tops and wild beaches, but this is still more extreme. We recommend choosing the safest locations that are easy to get to and have access to medical care – especially important when traveling with children.
Also, pay attention to the length of the journey. Of course, many people fly with babies to the other side of the world – but for most people, especially if it’s their first trip, it can be too much to bear. And it may be difficult not so much for the child as for his parents. It is good if the trip takes about 3-4 hours.
In general, for the first trip with children, it is best to choose a familiar place where you have been before. In this case, at least you will not have to adapt, so you can help the baby.
Choosing a hotel
When searching for a hotel you can immediately set the necessary filters: “Family vacation”, “Hotels for vacation with children”, etc. and get a list of suitable options. – and get a list of suitable options. But we recommend you to pay attention to some nuances that will make your stay even more comfortable.
Transportation accessibility
Choose a hotel that is not too far from the train station or airport: after the road, you are unlikely to want to take a bus or cab for a few more hours. At the same time, hotels right by the train station or ten minutes from the airport are also not suitable – too noisy and in general the environment is not for family vacations. If it’s only half an hour from the airport to the hotel by convenient shuttle or cab, it’s a good option.
Hotel location
If the hotel is located in the city center, make sure that the windows do not overlook a busy street, on which life boils until the morning. Noisy nightclubs, discos, bars and restaurants should be far away, otherwise you will spend the whole night putting the baby to bed and will not be able to sleep yourself. So check the location of the hotel on the map, where all nearby objects are marked – and do not hesitate to ask clarifying questions in the feedback form (it is usually available on all booking sites). You can also find the hotel on a map with a real street panorama and see what surrounds it.
Room size
Small rooms, where only a bed fits, are not suitable for a vacation with children: firstly, you probably have a lot of things, secondly, somewhere to put a stroller, thirdly, children will want to crawl, walk or run – and it is better to do it on the floor, not on the bed. There is one more nuance: when the child falls asleep, you will have to spend some time somewhere. Therefore, if possible, choose a room with two rooms or at least a balcony where you can comfortably sit.
What you need in the room
A fridge to stow snack foods, fruit, vegetables and drinks. An electric kettle to boil water to mix or make tea in the morning. A bath or spacious shower cubicle for you to bathe your baby in. A fairly large sink to quickly rinse your baby and wash clothes from mashed potatoes, sand or tea. And the possibility of washed clothes to dry – towel dryer and dryer on the balcony.
Hotel territory
The safer and simpler, the better. Slides, ladders, numerous decorative ponds, two unfenced adult pools and steep entrance to the water – all these are unnecessary dangers, and one of the parents should be alert all the time. Of course, the child still needs to be supervised, but it’s a good idea not to pull them away from the artwork in the lobby or take them out of the flowerbeds wondering if the flowers they’ve just tasted are poisonous.
Infrastructure for children
If you have a choice, stay at a hotel that has various activities for children: at least a playground (preferably located in the shade), and better yet, a children’s club (children over 3 years old can usually stay there for a couple of hours). If there is an adult pool, check if there is a children’s area or a separate pool for children. Animation, mini-zoo, children’s discos will only be a plus.
But a special menu is not a critical factor: often kids are offered fast food like nuggets, macaroni and cheese and French fries. It is better to find out how rich the general buffet is and feed your child there.
