Considering a European vacation with your kids? Ever since mine were babies, I’ve traveled with them to Europe at least twice a year. With jet lag and interrupted routines, it wasn’t always smooth sailing, but their looks of wonder the first time they saw the Swiss Alps and the Eiffel Tower far outweighed the pitfalls.
Exposing them to the European people, languages, and ideas has sparked a curiosity that remains intact now that they’re young adults. After dozens of transatlantic trips, I finally got the routine down. So, if you’re considering a family trip to Europe, try these tips to ease your vacation stress.
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1. To skip the lines, be an early bird
There’s no getting around the fact that high season in major European cities equals crowds. Starting our day bright and early in capitals from London to Rome has been a simple yet effective way to beat the queues. We’re the first to arrive at popular attractions and almost always find lines that are manageable.
2. Weigh the pros and cons of furnished apartments vs. hotel rooms
Renting a furnished apartment, such as an Airbnb or VRBO, offers space and simulates local life way better than staying at a hotel. Having a kitchen or kitchenette makes it easy to prepare money-saving snacks and meals. Do your research as several European cities have banned or are considering banning Airbnb.
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For some families, someone else making your bed is a fundamental part of a vacation. If you choose to stay in a hotel, location should be top of mind. I always prioritize residential neighborhoods near a park, for fresh air and tranquility before or after sightseeing.
3. You can’t beat jet lag, but you can diminish its effects
Crossing multiple time zones is exhausting for travelers of all ages. If I had a dollar for every time my kids woke up wide-awake at 3:00 a.m. after a long-haul flight, I’d be rich. Most flights to Europe from the East Coast depart at night. I always had my kids brush their teeth and put on their pajamas in an attempt to encourage them sleep for at least few hours of the flight. It sometimes worked.
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While there’s no magic wand, sunlight can help reset your body clock. I found it helpful to look for a park on our arrival day. After sitting on an airplane for so many hours, fresh air is important, even if it doesn’t make jet lag totally disappear.
4. Consider mid-size cities when choosing your vacation destination
Is there anyone who enjoys navigating big crowds with little kids? For a cultural experience that isn’t super hectic, consider a mid-size European city. Dupes are all the rage, so think Rotterdam, with its cube houses and bustling port, instead of Amsterdam. With an array of cultural attractions, urban parks, and the same language, Dublin feels like a scaled-down version of London.
5. Don’t overlook the simple appeal of the European countryside
With slower rhythms, small towns can be just right for kids. When my children were tweens, we spent several weeks in Bonnieux, a village in Provence. As there was hardly any traffic and everyone seemed to know each other, I allowed them way more freedom than I did in our hometown, NYC. Walking independently to the boulangerie and playground broadened their horizon in a completely different way than a city holiday.
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6. Whenever possible, choose to travel in the less-crowded low season
With sparse crowds and lower prices, low season travel is trending. When my kids were preschoolers, we saved a bundle by traveling in late fall, winter, and early spring. Unfortunately, low season travel doesn’t mesh with the scholastic calendar. Once my kids were in elementary school, we started planning trips for Thanksgiving week. It’s not a holiday in Europe and airfares from the U.S. to many European destinations often cost less than flying domestically.
7. Let the kids take an active role in trip planning
Ask for your children’s input and weave their interests into the itinerary and they’ll be more invested in your European vacation. My kids love ice cream; when they were in middle-school, they researched the highest-rated gelato shops in Rome. We sampled luscious cones as we soaked in the Colosseum and Roman Forum for a gelato crawl of a lifetime.
8. Resist the temptation to cram too much into your schedule
It’s normal to want to see as much as possible, but try and avoid packing your schedule. Over-stimulation practically guarantees cranky moods and meltdowns, particularly during the first few days, when jet lag is at its peak. A slower pace allows you to savor the moment. Delve into one museum as opposed to three and you’ll get a deeper impression, rather than a Reader’s Digest version.
9. You will never regret prioritizing downtime
Unstructured time can be a potent anecdote to over-stimulation; punctuate attractions with respites at the playground or freewheeling strolls.
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10. Appreciate the little things
Take time to enjoy the little things that make each culture unique. Buying a freshly baked croissant in Paris may make a more lasting impact on your child than seeing the Mona Lisa.
11. Take advantage of public transportation
Riding public transportation is an inexpensive way to sightsee. My kids enjoyed spending hours riding the old-fashioned trams that crisscross Milan.
12. Pack totable toys
Packing a few compact toys takes up minimal space and helps keep boredom at bay. I always went the nostalgic route with a yo-yo and Silly Putty.
13. Prioritize picnics
Leisurely meals are standard in much of Europe. When my kids were little, their tiny French and Italian cousins sat patiently at the table for multi-course meals while my kids were fidgety after five minutes. My European dream itinerary includes multiple meals at Michelin-star restaurants, but with kids in tow, picnics are a winner.
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Purchasing provisions at a market is an economical dip into local life. If you visit a supermarket, your kids may be surprised to learn that in many European countries, customers are expected to bag their own groceries and a coin is required to borrow a shopping cart.
14. Learn where to find cheap flights
Several newer airlines offer competitive prices to Europe. Discount airline French bee jets to Paris nonstop from NYC, Florida, and San Francisco, for example, while low-priced Play flies from Stewart Airport outside of NYC to Reykjavik, Iceland, where you can connect to flights throughout Europe.
Before you book a connecting flight, remember that boarding and disembarking multiple times, crossing busy airports searching for your gate, and the possibility of missing your connecting flight, are some of the drawbacks.
15. Pre-order a kid’s meal on the plane
Major airlines all serve meals on flights to Europe. Consider pre-ordering a children’s meal. Special meals are served first, limiting the chance of getting hangry. Most airlines request that you book a special meal at least 48 hours before departure.
16. Pack a stroller for younger kids
Even if your child hasn’t sat in a stroller for a year, consider packing a lightweight, foldable stroller. It’s excellent for maneuvering around crowded airports and is the perfect perch for naps.
