Anne and Carl Deane are siblings, travel companions and contributors to online publications of travel industry topics. In the following article, Anne and Carl Deane discuss traveling from America to Europe with children and provide suggestions to make the experience go as smooth as possible.
Traveling with children can always present itself as a strenuous task. A road trip to visit the grandparents is one thing but traveling to another country is an entirely new task.
With one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world being the countries in Europe, it makes sense that parents are wondering how to make their experience memorable, stress-free and enjoyable. Thankfully, there are tons of tips to keep in mind to make traveling with kids to a European country an enjoyable experience.
Educate The Kids on The Trip Beforehand
Kids tend to shy away from the unfamiliar, so Anne and Carl Deane suggest keeping their spirit, curiosity, and intelligence peaked by taking the time to teach children about the trip before hopping on the plane. This can be done in the months leading up to the trip, or even just a week beforehand if the kids are too young to understand timing.
Anne and Carl Deane explain that there are a multitude of ways to prepare children for their European vacation:
- Watching videos or TV shows about the locations that will be visited
- Reading books about the destination
- Do an arts-and-crafts activity related to Europe (sculpting clay, painting murals)
- Teach them native words and phrases based on the country’s language
Let Them Have a Say
When raising children, it’s important to remember that this is their trip as much as it is their parents’! With that in mind, if kids are old enough to voice what kind of activities they’d like to do, allow them to help out during the planning process and provide their input.
Anne and Carl Deane report that for children who are too young to have a say, parents should think about what their current interests are (stimulating colors, animals, etc.), and find European attractions that can fulfill those needs, like kid-friendly museums, or zoos, etc.
A child will be more likely to enjoy an activity if it is something they want to do, that is a given, but it can often be overlooked when vacation planning.
Be Flexible
Anne and Carl Deane report that it’s important for a family to be flexible during their trip. This is something to be remembered, not only while the family lands on the continent, but something to be thought of during the planning process as well!
Anne and Carl Deane further explain that there should be open thought in regard to the dates a family plans to visit, what kind of attractions are going to be on the list, and what countries are on the list to see.
To stick to an itinerary is fabulous but diving into a trip with a sense of openness will keep the days spent in Europe going as smooth as possible.
Don’t Do It Alone!
Who better to ask what to do with kids on a trip to Europe than a travel agent?
Anne and Carl Deane report that a travel agent’s job is to make your trip as smooth, enjoyable, and in some cases, as affordable as possible. They’ll be able to help families tackle all aspects of the vacation planning, from flights and kid-friendly hotels, and even restaurants and places that the entire family will be able to enjoy.
The best part about taking advantage of an agent’s help is that they’ll help preserve the culture of Europe, while also making it more appropriate for a family’s needs and wants.
Find a Worthy Place to Stay
The most difficult aspect of a family trip to Europe may be the most necessary – the accommodations.
Some of the best places to stay may not be hotels, but rather resorts that are built to cater to families with young children. These resorts can have swimming pools, kids’ clubs, classes available for all age ranges, and more. It’ll ensure that, even though a parent may be in need of a nap, their kids can still enjoy the trip from the safety of the resort.
Be Budget Smart
Anne and Carl Deane say to do some research regarding how much money it’ll cost for a family to travel in and Europe. Hotel fees and meals are one thing, but entry costs to exhibits and attractions, as well as transportation costs are another.
Keep conversion rates in mind, as well as checking out alternate possibilities – compare hotel prices, restaurants, and the like. One of the biggest tips Anne and Carl Deane can provide is to look into train costs- though they may seem cheap up front, it may be even cheaper to rent a car (especially with a big family!)
