Going on a family trip abroad is one of the most exciting things you can ever do, and hugely important as a way of keeping close. It is definitely worth doing if you want to make the most of the time you all have together. But when you do go abroad with your family, you’ll want to ensure that you have a quality experience. Let’s look at how you might be able to make the most of any family trip.
Plan Early
The sooner you plan the details of your trip, the more likely it is that your family trip abroad will go smoothly. Planning early means you’ll have the most options available to you — and at the best prices, too. Start with your destination of choice, then figure out transportation, lodging, and finally the attractions you want to enjoy. Make reservations early to save money and to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Plan for rest and relaxation
As you plan, be sure to include plenty of time in your itinerary for rest and relaxation. Your family can only take so much minute-by-minute scheduling! You are much more likely to actually fully enjoy your vacation with some breaks and rest time. This might be the best tip for overcoming trip fatigue and other issues that families can face.
You are also much more likely to have the energy to continue on with the rest of your trip. There’s not much worse than being surrounded by amazing places to explore and being too exhausted to see them.
Prepare for international travel
Most people get a little nervous when it comes to international travel. This is perfectly normal and understandable as you will encounter different cultures and languages. To make the most of your family trip abroad, you’ll want to be sure certain details are taken care of.
One of the main concerns here is that you have the proper documentation with you at all times. Be sure to inspect everyone’s passports ahead of time. They must not expire while you are traveling and most countries require at least six months before expiration. Keep your passports safe while traveling. It helps to make copies as well in case you need to get a passport replaced.
Arrange for plenty of excursions/experiences
You obviously want to have fun and meaningful experiences – that’s the main point of travel. The kinds of experiences you have together will very much depend on where you are traveling and what you like to do as a family. Whether it’s going on hot air balloon rides, visiting museums, or going hiking – or anything in between. Just be sure to plan activities you and your children will enjoy and that will create long-lasting memories.
Get to know your destination
Wherever you do choose to go, you need to make sure that you are getting the most out of the destination itself. Try new things, talk to the locals, and also do a bit of research before you go. Learn about the history and people in the area you are visiting. Don’t just visit popular tourist attractions, but also look for hidden gems. Taking walking or food tours might also help you get a feel for your destination. Don’t take a family trip abroad and expect it to be just like being at home!
You might want to dive deeper than just the landing page of websites you visit. TripAdvisor and similar sites are really useful, but perhaps the best information you will find is in the comments, where people will make suggestions for lesser-known attractions you might want to check out. There is another way to discover those hidden gems too, which we will look into next: speaking to some of the locals in the area.
Don’t be afraid to speak to the locals
The more actively you immerse yourself in wherever you are, the more you will get out of it. Generally, you should not be afraid to speak to people. In fact, they are often thrilled to share their city or country with you! They can also help you avoid less desirable areas so you’ll be safe. Or share tips on how to snag those early morning train tickets you want. Even point you to the best places to eat or listen to local musicians. Make the most of their friendliness; that alone really helps in a big way.
Be prepared to walk
If you are willing to walk around a lot, it may help you make much more of your trip. When you explore an area on foot, you’re at the ground level, so to speak. You might see more than you would otherwise — like quaint alleys, beautiful gardens, children playing on playgrounds, sidewalk food vendors, and so much more!
You will also get plenty of exercise. (Not a bad way to keep your children active!) That in itself can make the experience a lot more enjoyable. It’s good for you mentally to be outdoors, active, and breathing fresh air.
Plan to stay safe
Of course, if you are going to be walking around, you need to make sure that you stay safe. Actually, this is crucial all of the time, even when you are in your hotel room. The vast majority of people traveling will not suffer any disasters, but it doesn’t hurt to be vigilant. Be observant of your surroundings and pay attention to what is happening around you. Read up on local scams so you can avoid them. And know how to reach emergency services should you need them.
Review safety tips with your children, like pairing up and letting you know where they are going whenever they walk away from you. Teach them how to find someone they can trust if they get lost. Be sure they have contact information for you in case you get separated.
Summary
As you follow these tips, you will have the best chance of having a wonderful family trip abroad. You will make wonderful memories to last a lifetime — and you will be much closer as a family because of these shared experiences. Planning a family trip abroad does not have to be scary. Do your research, consult reliable sources, and plan an incredible trip!
Great tips! Planning for and anticipation of potential issues ahead of time is key.
I love traveling and looking forward to more time abroad. Great tips for my future plans.