Executing your family’s first trip across the Atlantic requires taking many more variables into consideration beyond solo or adult travel to ensure it is an enjoyable and comfortable experience for new travelers.
As a travel advisor who has planned international vacations for many families and recently took my own children (ages 11 & 12) to the United Kingdom, the following are some tips to ensure a memorable vacation.
Size Matters (with hotel rooms)
The biggest mistake I often hear people make about family travel is when they say they don’t care about the size of their room with the comment, “We’ll be so busy, it’s only for sleep”. This is the wrong notion. Your lodging is where you start and end your day. Not having comfortable accommodations can cause a lack of good sleep and friction among family members often caused by inadequate space.
Keep in mind in many international cities and historic areas hotel rooms are smaller than families are accustomed to in the U.S. We also travel with more suitcases on longer trips abroad that take up a lot of space. And don’t forget, the bed sizes in other countries are not comparable to those in the U.S. Many hotels in Europe that have two beds will only have two twins or doubles. For most, it’s uncomfortable for two adults to sleep in a double bed, or children depending on age. When a family of four tells me they only need two beds in a hotel, I will try to find a property (this is often not an easy feat) with two queen beds, or if that is not possible, two rooms that connect.
There are also regulations with fire codes that hotels cannot just “squeeze” a family of four or more in a room that only allows three guests. This is for everyone’s safety and not just something the hotel does to make more money. Additionally, some room categories square footage does not allow rollaway beds. It is not a given that they will be allowed.
As much as you think you will just use your hotel for sleeping, on our recent travels to the United Kingdom we did so much walking that we needed to take breaks in the afternoon. Our boys would enjoy going back to the room to put their feet up and have some downtime to recharge. Often in the evenings we were so tired that if we stayed out until 8pm that was late. It’s nice to enjoy relaxing in a room in the evening without feeling like you are sardines in a can.
Planning For In-Destination Activities
Try to plan for one big activity each day and allow for free time before and after that. Balance the activities with interests of your family members. One of my son’s is a soccer player. We bought tickets to go to a professional football game in London. While our other son is not a huge fan of sports, he still enjoyed the experience and history of the stadium. He enjoys movies and music, so the next day we had tickets to go to a play (Back to the Future: The Musical) in the West End which was enjoyed by all family members.
Private tours are also worth the splurge for families. This way your guide can completely tailor the tour to your families’ interests. In York, England, we had a private guide for a morning tour of the city. We would have never appreciated the history of the city without this tour. The guide did an amazing job providing facts and points of interest that were intriguing to our sons.
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Packing
In your carry-on pack a cube for each traveler with a full extra outfit, pajamas, bathroom supplies and medicine. Luggage does occasionally get lost. You should also bring healthy snacks such as meal bars and a reusable water bottle that you can carry with you at all times to avoid anyone getting hangry or dehydrated.
Don’t pack too much extra clothing in your suitcases. If each family member will be pulling their own luggage through airports/city sidewalks/train stations, no one wants to lug a heavy and uncomfortable suitcase around.
The Flight
Your flight across the Atlantic should be at night with as few layovers as possible. Have everyone wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers to be prepared for variable temperatures. On the overnight flight, make sure to set a device free time to try and sleep. Packing melatonin to promote sleep might be a good option for those that don’t usually sleep well on planes.
Your Arrival Day (sets the tone of the trip)
Have a prescheduled private transfer in place to pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. No one wants to figure out public transportation after a long-haul flight.
If your flight arrives in your destination early in the morning, when booking your hotel pay for the night before you arrive. This way you are guaranteed to be able to check in as soon as you get to the hotel. Otherwise, your room is not guaranteed until the afternoon.
After a long flight the idea of knowing you can get into your room to shower, unpack, and possibly take a quick rest before you head out to explore can be a worthy expenditure.
Find a local grocery store or market near your hotel to stock up on drinks and snacks to have in your room. It was nice to have these available when we came back to our room for our afternoon breaks. We also took a few train rides going from city to city and would buy sandwiches to eat on the train journeys.
Don’t schedule too much for the first day you land in a new country. Everyone is trying to adjust to a new time zone and might not be “all there”. I recommend not taking more than a cat-nap upon arrival, get some fresh air by going for a walk and explore the neighborhood. Try to get to bed at a decent time the first night, so you are refreshed your first full day in travel.
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International travel for a family takes a lot of planning and is a meaningful expenditure. Make sure to get the most out of your time and investment by setting your family up for a successful and memorable vacation. Working with a travel advisor will make the trip an optimal experience.
Contact Us
Jamie Jackson: [email protected]
Luxury Travel Advisor at Wanderlust Travel Boutique
At Wanderlust Travel Boutique, we will create a truly personalized, hassle-free vacation with a comprehensive itinerary, so you can enjoy an unforgettable experience.
If not now, when?
https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/jamiejackson
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