Traveling with Kids

 PLANNING, PREPARING AND PACKING

The best family vacation starts with choosing a destination that will be fun for everyone in the group. Involve your children in the planning process. Read about what you will see and do and look at pictures of the places you will be visiting; the more everyone is involved the more exciting the trip becomes. Don’t leave packing until the last minute and pack light. Comfortable lose fitting clothes that can be layered are best, the brighter the better, so you can easily spot your children in a crowd. Roll your clothes in the suitcase to provide as much packing room as possible ,and give your child their own bags. Pack backpacks and carry-on bags with items your children will enjoy during the trip, including favorite toys, snack and beverages.

BRING YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Make sure you have all the documents you will need before you leave home, including passports, airlines tickets and photo I.D.s for each person traveling with you. Many countries have specific entry requirements for children 21 and younger who are traveling internationally without one or both parents, including requiring a notarized parental permission letter signed parent or parents not traveling with the child. Hemisphere Travel can provide you with a sample letter upon request. Not having all the proper documents can disrupt travel plans, so make sure you don’t leave home without them.

LISTEN, LAUGH AND LEARN

Let the vacation begin the moment you leave home! No matter what you have planned, be flexible and expect the unexpected; that’s part of the fun of traveling! Once you arrive at your destination – enjoy your time with your family. Try things that are new and don’t’ be afraid to ask questions. Hotel Concierges/Tour Staff are there to assist you in making plans, from dinner reservations, local sightseeing to recommending the more unusual areas in your destination.

REST AND RELAXTION

Even with older children a long day of travel or sightseeing can make us tired, but we don’t want to stop having fun. Plan for everyone to take “quiet time” to rest, read and just do nothing. A little rest for the whole family in the afternoon can do wonders for the rest of the day. Don’t let little one think they are the only ones having to rest, make it a part of the vacation…look for secluded beaches, parks or reading nooks in the hotel, just a time of peace and quiet. Everyone will appreciate the “down time” to refresh and relax. And remember this is a vacation, not a marathon o r reality show, do only as much as you want to do and leave the rest to another day or even you return trip on another vacation. Enjoy !!