Dad sharing a map with his child ()
The twinkling lights, mugs of toasty Glühwein warming chilled fingers, festive vendor stalls, inviting aromas of tasty market treats and the notes of nostalgic carols fill the air- it’s Christmas Market season in Europe! While I never tire of this wonderful tradition, my family does not always match my level of enthusiasm on every outing, especially after the first dozen visits to those magical markets!
In addition to weekends at the Christmas festivals, many of us are looking forward to holiday leave and trips as well, which might mean long drives, packed flights, or even a canceled train or two.
So how do you keep the smallest members of your family entertained and enthusiastic throughout your winter travels; hopefully securing yourself a beautiful family experience and memory in the process? While there will always be variables that are out of your control (pack your patience for the Deutsch Bahn and regional airports), there are a few ways in which you can set your family up for success and make some amazing memories in the process.
1. Preparation
Researching and learning about your destination is a great way to get the entire family invested in a trip. Watching travel videos (Rick Steves’ Europe videos on PBS or YouTube are my personal favorite), checking out a guidebook at the library, and making a list of the top foods that you would like to try can help children feel a little bit of ownership within the planning process.
For those with younger children, films or literature related to your stay can serve as additional sources of interest. For example, if you have Christmas in France on your bucket list, a Ratatouille-themed picnic or outing might be just the ticket.
2. Set Realistic Expectations
You may go into a trip with very specific, dare I say, “Instagrammable” expectations. And while you very well might snap the perfect shot of your precious little ones sipping kinder punch beneath the stunning lights of a decorated tree in a medieval market, it is just as likely that one of those children will accidentally drop that decorative collector’s mug (filled to the brim, of course), splashing surprised siblings with bright red liquid in the process. No matter where you travel, or how far, and despite the most diligent planning and effort, mishaps are bound to occur. Drinks will be spilled, diapers might explode (personal memories of a particularly challenging U-Pick berry field experience come to mind), and siblings will squabble.
Allowing yourself a little extra time and grace in such scenarios can help to mitigate and minimize the challenges that parents are bound to encounter throughout the trip. That might mean cutting a day short so that you can have a cozy early movie night back at the hotel (travel tip: we bring an HDMI cord or adapter along for watching Christmas movies on winter trips). Or perhaps after a full day of history, artifacts, tours, and walking, give the kids the option to pick something of their choosing. For those with older children, this might mean that you might find yourself in the shadow of Prague’s stunning medieval castle at an underground vintage arcade bar called Joystick watching your teens have an absolute blast playing old school pinball!
3. Be a Sunrise Tourist
Okay, okay. This does not have to mean that you need to drag your family out of their warm hotel beds by 0600. However, you will find that getting an early start on the day can create a much more pleasant experience for your family, while building a bit of “kid time” into each day’s schedule.
Struggling through large crowds at popular destinations is exhausting for anyone, and especially for children, even teens. Keeping track of children in venues bursting with strangers is not only exhausting but can be stressful and terrifying for parents. An early start can do wonders to help take away that specific travel variable.
The Field of Miracles in Pisa, Italy is home to the famous Leaning Tower. According to the tower’s website at www.leaningtowerpisa.com, over five million visitors gather to view the site every year, with nearly 14,000 people arriving daily at the peak of tourist season. By mid-day, lines stretch on seemingly forever, and hundreds of photo hungry folks vie for the perfect “holding up the tower” post. Should you opt to arrive an hour or two before the buildings officially open, however, you will be greeted by a drastically different experience. Arriving in Pisa at 7 a.m., my family of five enjoyed the area at a leisurely and enjoyable pace. Less than twenty people shared the space with us and after climbing the Leaning Tower, plus a 10 a.m. stop in the Baptistry (a guard sings and harmonizes with their own echo, demonstrating the buildings incredible acoustics), we happily rambled away as the tour buses and crowds arrived. The rest of our day was free for kid-focused activities such as nature walks and beach time.
Kids having a picnic during a trip to The Netherlands ()
4. Pack a Picnic
Look, I love experiencing different cultures and foods on our travels. But restaurants can be expensive, and let’s face it, kids can be picky. Hitting up a local market is usually one of our first stops on any trip. Few things rival the frustration of spending an absurd amount of money on a bistro meal only to have your children either dislike the food or be hungry again what seems like minutes later.
For this specific travel variable, our family always packs at least one meal. Not only is this a massive budget saver, but it allows for more flexibility and ease in our travels as well. With a basket full of Brötchen (bread), meats, cheese, fruit, and sparkling water, I can easily create a filling, locally-sourced meal for a family of five that costs less than 20 dollars. If breakfast is not included at our hotel or rental, I will also scoop up some shelf stable milk, cereal, and fruit for an inexpensive start to the day. If the budget allows, we then go out to a local restaurant for one meal out each day. One last travel tip: restaurant prices are often less expensive during the day and a midday meal out with a picnic dinner in the evening is also a fantastic option.
Traveling with children comes with its own challenges, but it is also a unique and rewarding opportunity. With a little preparation, a bit of practice and a healthy dose of patience, traveling with your children can be an enriching and memorable experience.
