And so you have set your sights on a family travel destination. But have you considered if that destination really is child friendly? Some destinations which were good fun when you visited before having kids might not be the same with kids. Don’t complain once you get there, you simply can’t expect every destination to suit your needs.
Here are the Things you need to know Before Choosing your next family travel destination:
1. What will be the total cost?
Cheap flights can be tempting, especially with ticket prices dropping to popular destinations like Singapore, Japan and some parts of Europe. But airfare is just one part of the total cost. There are ways to save money during the trip. However you will need to add in accommodation, daily transport, attractions entrance fees and meals.
Don’t come back home poor. Always leave room for your next family travel adventure.
2. Will it be easy to buy kids products at your holiday destination?
Or will you need to bring them all from home? Depending on the age of your child, younger toddlers and babies will require disposable nappies, as well as food supplies such as milk (fresh milk or formula), pouched foods and toddler snacks.
For example we normally bring along first few days supply of nappies. The rest we purchase at the destination.
3. Can you easily find child friendly restaurants?
Start by asking people that have visited the destination and read family travel blogs like ours. Will most restaurants have high chairs for your little ones? Or will you have to put them on your laps? What if your child refuse to eat while travelling?
Sure there are ways around it. When Berlin was younger, we used the Phil & Teds Wriggle Wrapper as a high chair replacement. It secures him safely to any standard chair and was super useful to keep him still on feeding times.
4. Are the sights you’re visiting stroller friendly?
Cobbled stones, steps with no elevator, narrow walkways are enemies for any stroller. We have always travelled with our Maclaren Quest even to non stroller friendly places like Nepal. Why? Your little ones will likely to nap during the day and carrying him all day will be too draining.
5. Will there baby change rooms?
Can you easily find a place to change your baby or nurse them? In places like Thailand, outside major shopping malls baby change rooms will be a rarity. We had to make do by changing him on the lawn, on the bench or restaurant floor (of course we used the baby mat). Tara was able to nurse him pretty much anywhere with the breast feeding cover. Western countries such as Germany and England will have more change rooms readily available.
6. Will the little ones be entertained?
The most common mistake when travelling with your family is trying to replicate the way you used to travel before you have children. Look out for parks, playgrounds or kid friendly sights you can visit.
While it is still possible to entertain kids without any specific attractions, doing “boring” adult stuff all the time will be unfair for them.
7. How will you get around?
Not all places will have taxis available – or one that is affordable! Save money by using public transport. Research beforehand on how to purchase tickets (Youtube videos are mighty useful). Nowadays you can also use Google map to know exactly which metro or tram line to use from point A to point B.
If like us, you like to visit nearby towns or country sides for day trips, check if you need to pre-purchase your tickets online. We find in Europe it is usually cheaper when tickets are purchased two months before the travel date
8. Will you travel during comfortable weather?
“It was raining every day when we were there”. Being stuck in a hotel half way around the world is not fun! Avoid rainy season.
Also.. will it be too cold? Will it be blistering hot? Family travel during extreme weather with little ones will be extra challenging for you.
9. Any health precautions needed for the trip?
In many countries you may not have access to basic medications as you do back home. Even if they are available, you won’t know how you respond to that particular brand. Always bring basic medications from home that you know suits your child.
We always bring Children’s Nurofen, Panadol and antihistamine. When visiting developing countries we also pack gastro medications and hydralyte.
Always list down nearby hospitals in the place you’re visiting – address and phone number – in case you need it. Check if there are any illnesses you need to be concerned about. For example, prior to our Sri Lanka holiday, the three of us had typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations. We were also being extra careful by purchasing insect repellents and Parakito mosquito repellent bands.
For places we have visited, Checkout our website’s travel Destinations section. We buy of our travel essentials online via Ebay
