I was living the nightmare, the one where you run along the terminal, desperate for a flight. Your baby is screaming, your bags are a thousand pounds, and you can hear them call your name for the last time before the catwalk doors close.
We had left the house late and our daughter had thrown her only pants on the way to the airport, and security had taken a torturous hour and a half. If we had missed this trip to Costa Rica after two years at home during the pandemic, I would have joined the tantrums.
We made it (barely) and when I collapsed in the seat next to tears, I was shocked that I now had to sit a two-year-old boy for six hours.
I wondered why we were doing this.
Many moments from this trip helped answer that question: spending hours chasing shells in warm waves, seeing a baby sloth crawling across our dining table, hiking with a giant blue morpho butterfly perched on my shoulder. But what hit the hardest was when we got home.
My daughter looked out the window on her way back from the airport and said, "Our roads have a lot more lanes of traffic than in Costa Rica. I liked that they didn't go through all the forest to do more up to a road, even if that meant it took longer to get to the beach.”
It's my "why" to travel the world with children. Exposing them to different cultures is one of the most important ways to help them discover the incredible diversity of this planet. This, in turn, shapes their personal values and outlook. It just takes endless pits of patience and a significant amount of wet wipes.
Luckily, our travel experts are here to help. Many Enchanting Travels parents are dedicated to exploring the world with their children. These road warriors have been there (and lived to tell the tale) and share their tips for making traveling with kids as hassle-free as possible. Check out their expert tips for planning, traveling, and most importantly, enjoying your family trip!
1. Select the Right Destination
You can plan a trip to almost any destination in a "family friendly" way, from beach getaways to multi-week safaris in Africa. For families with young children, our experts recommend destinations and itineraries that allow you to stay in one place for a few days at a time, rather than checking into a different hotel room each morning. We get a lot of family beach vacation inquiries and like to recommend beaches with a sense of place rather than generic resorts.
It helps not to fill your trip with too many stops when traveling with children. “Less is more. I look for fewer stops, direct flights, train travel and destinations that offer a mix of experience and relaxation.
Sometimes travel is the goal and it's a good idea to mix active days with relaxing breaks. “Our children don't mind traveling for days. However, every third or fourth day should be relaxing or filled with fun stuff for the kids. The destination is secondary in the planning. We are more interested in the experience.
Wait though. It certainly gets better and much easier as the kids get older. “We chose the destination and then planned the activities according to the interests of the children according to their schedule when they were younger. The more they traveled, the easier it became for them to adapt to any place, food, and activity. They are now at an age where they can contribute and we ask them for suggestions for our next travel destination!
Bonus Tip: Make the trip work in your favor. Night trains are an adventure and you can travel great distances in your sleep.
2. Plan engaging activities
Our experts agree: don't over-plan your family vacation. Allow plenty of time to relax, fall asleep, and explore indefinitely. One morning activity in a day is usually the right amount of scheduled excursions. Also, don't feel like you have to make everything "fun for the whole family". You can take turns taking multiple adult tours separately or accompany older children individually on a more adventurous outing.
As with most things in life, simplicity is the key to a fulfilling journey. “Keep it simple and be open to go with the flow. We did simple activities like going to the beach, walking in a forest, and collecting seeds and flowers, which brought us all great joy.
Doing the same activity can become monotonous for children, so it's important to find the right balance. "It's a mix of active time and free time, unless we're on safari, so the kids are happy to do ten-hour days. In other destinations, what works for us is a balance between guided activities, mainly outdoors, and self-discovery and leisure".
It's always a good idea to keep the day open and only choose activities that match your interests. “We usually have a half-day activity after breakfast, which we plan ahead, and the rest of the day is spent relaxing by the pool or the beach. In cities, we often start with a hop-on hop-off bus tour on the first day, as it gives you a good overview of what you want to spend more time on. -Julia
Bonus tip: be prepared. Check out options for rainy days such as visits to museums, cinemas or indoor swimming pools.
3. Choose hotels wisely
Choose your home away from home wisely! You will probably spend more time in hotels with children than when traveling alone. In general, we recommend private villas for larger family groups and hotels with connecting rooms for families with older children. Properties with large pools are always a hit with young children.
Other than that, you can also look for rooms with a kitchenette so you can prepare a quick meal for your baby. “I look for hotels that offer good room service and flexible dining options. Rooms that have a small kitchenette are super useful so you don't have to sit in a restaurant for every meal and snack.
Be sure to check the hotel's policy regarding children at the time of booking. Discounted rooms for children may be available. “Children's policies vary a lot and can make a big difference in price, especially at some eco-lodges. Some hotels offer the second bedroom at reduced rates if it is reserved for children. I'm looking for hotels in the city that offer family packages that include dinner, local public transportation, and other services.
Private villas are a great option for families with children as they give you the luxury of space and privacy. “I looked for private villa options. This way there is more space for the community and we can always go out after the children have gone to bed. This is especially important around the equator, as the sun sets at 6 p.m.!
4. Advice on transit time
The long commute times can be the most intimidating part of traveling the world with kids. If you don't accept other advice, pay attention to this: prepare snacks.
Unfortunately, airlines aren't as reliable as they once were at providing full food and beverage services, so come prepared with many of your child's favorite dishes. We also recommend booking direct flights whenever possible. The extra cost is usually worth it to reduce the hassle of dragging sleeping children onto planes. We also have good authority that screen time doesn't matter in international waters!
Bonus tips:
• If you're traveling with a baby, always keep a bottle or pacifier handy for take-offs and landings to make their ears pop. The eraser works well for older children.
• Put an extra jumpsuit for a child and an extra shirt for yourself in your hand luggage in case of an accident during the flight.
• Bring your own children's headphones. The headphones that are provided on most flights aren't very good for round babies.
5. Create Unforgettable Memories
Family travel is about making memories together. You may wonder if young children will remember a trip, and you can help them do that by encouraging them to observe and remember. Here are some great ways to capture moments once you're home:
Documenting your vacation together is not only a great bonding exercise; it will also help you relive your beautiful family trip over and over again. "I usually write about a memorable trip after we get back and encourage the kids to do it too. We take lots of photos and we come back from time to time. It's a great experience of family bonding."
You don't have to buy mass-produced souvenirs on a trip, but the little things, like picking up rocks on a beach, can bring a lot of joy. “We have a collection of shells, sand and stones from different countries and I often buy kitchen utensils as souvenirs. Needless to say, I also take pictures. I have the luxury of my mother making photo albums with all the images we share and providing her with entrance tickets, plane and train tickets and other things that we save from a trip.
There's nothing like the power of a good story. Remembering family vacations with kids can also give you insight into what they liked and what didn't work for them. You can therefore take this into account when planning your next trip. “I tell them stories about our journey and encourage them to tell me what happened from their perspective. By putting the series of events together, they remember them much more clearly. And they learn to tell a great travel story!"
Traveling opens up a new world of possibilities for children. It can be just as daunting and exhilarating, but it's mostly fun. Our experts can answer any questions you have about traveling with children or planning family-friendly itineraries. So contact us and take a step closer to an exciting family adventure! If you need more inspiration, check out one of our testimonials from working parents of three who had the family vacation of their dreams, thanks to a caring travel consultant.
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