by Holiday Inn
Here are my three best tips to have incredible family holidays….
“I’m a travel bug. I admit it. In fact, I go a little batty if I don’t get away regularly. I love to live a life rich in experiences – and for me that usually means travelling to and exploring new places. There’s something quite magical about escaping for a holiday. Whether it’s a month long trip, or a weekend getaway to the country to pat the horses and lamas, building sandcastles at the beach, or a city stay to catch the Wiggles or the latest dinosaur exhibition. A change of scenery for even a few days for mum, dad and kids is incredible for the soul, family bonding, learning about the world and creating happy memories together. So when I had my son six years ago, it was a given he’d be coming on many adventures with me from day dot (his first trip was at six weeks old to Scotland to visit his relatives!). But it wasn’t all smooth sailing (pun totally intended), and I learned a few things the hard way. Here’s my advice…
Take Baby Steps.
I had big ambitions to take my son hotel hopping in Dubai, Scotland and London for four weeks, but to be fair, I did have a lot of small practice trips to test the water, suitcases and stroller. We were flying from Sydney to Melbourne to visit my family fairly regularly since he was a newborn. We were lucky enough to do regular weekend getaways to, from the Blue Mountains to Hunter Valley and the coast. Small trips, even city escapes and weekenders, or interstate for a few days are a brilliant way to get your head around the baby gear required, test how your little one responds to car trips and flights, and get your head around your little one’s timing.
One of my first car trips was from Sydney to the Central Coast, a three hour drive in scorching heat. Of course I completely messed up the timing and got 10 minutes down the road and had to pull over to feed him! Babies and children love a routine, and you’ll quickly work out the best timings for travel. From then on, my golden rule was to feed him before we left so he’d sleep in the car, or for flights, I’d always book times where I could feed him while taking off, to equalise his ears and ensure he slept for the flight. My other friends swear by doing long haul car travel at night, so the kids sleep through it all!
Weekend getaways to the country were a brilliant break from the daily grind and filled with amazing adventures and memory makers.
Toot, toot! All aboard the travel train! In Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges at the famous Puffing Billy steam train.
When it came to our big overseas journey, my son was more than capable of walking, so there were no strollers to juggle. For the months prior, we did ‘test tourist days’, where we’d walk into the city (only 20 minutes from where we live) and visit the museum, Darling Harbour and other places to monitor his endurance and timing. Six hours on the go was his limit before crankiness set in, so when it came to creating our holiday itinerary, I made sure we never exceeded this. I alternated sightseeing days with rest days or low endurance days (eating gelato riverside in Venice, yes please!), and avoided planning any tourist activities on flight days or long haul travel. I learnt my lesson at our first stop in Dubai. We were staying at Atlantis, the incredible waterpark and hotel, for three days, and I thought I’d try and get him onto the local time straight away. We jumped into a taxi and headed to some of the incredible shopping destinations (indoor ski slopes and ice skating, anyone?), but baby cakes had other ideas and zonked it on route. I attempted to carry him around the centre for an hour, perusing the gold souks, but it wasn’t much fun. Rest up. They’re little! And a happy son equals a happy mum!
“We went on plenty of city day trips before our big overseas adventure to build his endurance. This was taken at Supernova, 2013. Wonder Woman mum and mini Captain America with Optimus Prime.”
Bobli Gardens in Florence was as majestic, with its palatial gardens and historic palace, as it was relaxing. The perfect sightseeing when you’re not site seeing…
Fine dining with the little one at Ronda Locatelli, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai.
Atlantis is the ultimate waterpark!
Dubai’s shopping malls are a site to behold!
We found Nessie in Scotland! Well, almost…
The Colosseum in Rome is totes impressive for little Gladiators.
Invest in good luggage.
I learned the value of great suitcases and bags the hard way. I was regularly doing interstate trips to visit the fam’ for long weekends with bub in-toe. The baby carrier was a Godsend, but the old suitcase with its bung wheels spinning in all directions that weighed a ton, as well as managing a handbag, nappy bag, and overnight bag was just too ridiculous for any one person to handle. My solution? I scored myself a lightweight Samsonite suitcase in the sales, which had 360 degree spin wheels and was the best purchase I’d ever made. I could push it along with one finger and it was big enough and light enough to fit all our gear into, so we could lose the overnight bag. Another tip: Ditch your handbag and put your keys, wallet and phone in the nappy bag. You’ll have one less bag to think about!
Don’t forget the entertainment.
I was against computer games for a lonnnng time, and still believe they need to be managed in moderation. But when colouring books and Matchbox cars no longer keep the kiddies amused, learning Apps and computer games can be a mummy and child’s best friend. Adults like dining at nice restaurants, kids couldn’t care less about it. They just want to play! And when you’re on the go for weeks at a time and dining out for the 28th time in a row, you need to cut them some slack and keep them entertained. I took a lightweight DVD player with a selection of movies and the iPad for airport layovers, train journeys through Italy and end-of-long-day meal times. I wouldn’t go anywhere without them now.
Florence’s Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
Planning a family holiday?
Visit www.holidayinn.com.au for great deals and hotels around Australia. Holiday Inn hotels and resorts offer an awesome Kids Stay & Eat Free program globally – up to four kids ages 12 and under eat free any time of the day in any Holiday Inn on-site restaurant. Visit Kids Stay & Eat Free for details.
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For details and to enter, visit www.holidayinnbigkids.com.au and check out the video below.
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What’s your best family travel advice? Tell us in the comments below!
