I agree that there are so many places that we can probably spend a lifetime to visit. Don’t get me wrong. We LOVE Disney and have been there countless time but I notice that my kids will talk about trip to the new places more often that the Disney trip. Just because it was new to them.

I love the idea that you get kids involve in all stages. Will need to start doing that on our next trip.

I would love to get ideas from this book. I’ve been traveling since I was a baby, and my husband took his first plane trip when he was 18, so we’ve had to adjust to each other. However, my stepson took his first plane trip at 1 (almost 2) and my son was 3-months-old when he traveled cross-country via plane for the first time. Given the option of hopping on a plane, my now-5-year-old stepson wants to go to California (he’s never been) like Lightning McQueen. He’s already helping me plan :-) Traveling as a kid, then traveling with kids, is the best!

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I agree – going back again and again to a place makes it lose its appeal. Of course when traveling with a bunch of families to a familiar place every year – that makes good memories. Especially if it’s a place to hang out, not discover new things.

It’s so refreshing to hear that what “makes a trip” is really all in the point of view of the beholder, and that they don’t have to all be club med-type vacays to make a dramatic impression!

There’s always a need to for new ideas on how to travel with kids. :) This should prove to be invaluable!

Although my kids certainly can’t remember everywhere they’ve traveled (oldest now 5), we have fun looking at the photos of riding the elephant, playing at the ruins of Ek Balam, and so on, and turning the globe to find where all of these places are that we’ve been–and where we still hope to go.

Interesting perspective. Our family is big on “return trips” due to the circumstances under which we travel, but I need to get more serious about having us try new venues, perhaps as stops along the way to our repeat destinations.

My kids and I were meeting my husband in Frankfurt. He had been traveling on business in St. Petersburg. We waited for all the people to come through the gate from the flight he was supposed to be on but he wasn’t there! I didn’t have a cell phone with me, we were staying about an hour away and he had no idea how to find the place,the address or anything. I tried calling his voice mail and had the code to get in but when I called the code didn’t work. This was our backup plan in case there were any problems but it didn’t work. I went up to the Air France counter and was of course told that they couldn’t give me any information. I didn’t know what to do. Finally, I burst out crying and the clerk told me that if she were me she would wait for a flight arriving at xyz time. :) It was quite stressful and now I make sure to have a cell phone that works! We hung around the airport all day…and he finally arrived. Whewww…were we relieved at least until we went to pay for the parking. LOL

I would love to read this book. I spend so much time researching and planning travel with my kids. Often we decide to do the same travel again when we find something that works. I need a new perspective. I would eat this book up! Hope I win!

Getting the children involved in planning the holidays always helps – I am fortunate enough to run a British Tour Operator – Zenith Holidays (www.zenithholidays.co.uk) and I often discuss with my children the new resorts planned. I also ensure that we factor into our product as much child friendly support and advice we can (things like flightwatch, babypacks etc).
I hope in the years to come they will continue to enjoy travelling with me but I just enjoy the planning and the holidaying with them now – they bring an added perspective to every holiday

I brought enough diapers for 2 DAYS on a 3 stop flight to Germany. We ended up staying over night in Virgina cause (Of course one flight was delayed. United Airlines was nice enough to put us up in a nice resort, but my baby was sick from all the flying. On the next days flight she proceed to poo through at least 10 diapers. we had one diaper left when we landed. Now I hide diapers every where, because they do not often give you your luggage back.

It’s not always about going somewhere bigger or better. A lot of fun can be found in out-of-the-way places.

Another reason not to go back if you had a great time: It’s seldom as good the second time around. Best to feast on those good memories of that beautiful waterfall or delicious creme brulee than to be disappointed in trying to repeat it.

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For me taking my kid to new places is all about inspiring awe and letting him know he can be out of his comfort zone and still be ok. Still, we visit familiar places and always find something new. My son falls in love with places, and always asks-Can we come back? I know that’s not always possible, but I hate looking into those little eyes and saying no.
Oh, and in my family, trip planning was also encouraged at an early age. That’s something I’m already passing on to my son.

On a family heritage trip to Switzerland we hiked way up into the Alps to see an alpine dairy and cheese making operation with our 4 month old daughter, 5 year old son, and 72 year old father-in-law with a bum knee. We had no idea it was so far and so steep, I’m sure our guide thought we were nuts. But, we made it–it was gorgeous, cheese was tasty, and we felt triumphant. And, surely we won’t be back!

I have a new baby and we are currently planning our first trip with him for this October. Believe me… everything is more complicated. Our first issue was figuring out how to transport the car seat so we have it when we get there without paying an extra $50 in checked luggage charges (fly Continental … they don’t charge for a carseat check).

As travelers we dont want complications to keep us from seeing the world. This book would really help!

My wife and I took our then-14-month-old to Fiji and New Zealand, intending to turn a conference into a vacation. The flight over from Los Angeles was chaos for us: our son wouldn’t sleep, needed to be constantly entertained by one of those toys that flashes lights and plays the same song (quietly, at least) over and over again. And, the flight was packed…with rugby fans from England. Last, despite changes and wearing double diapers, by touchdown in Nadi, he was soaking wet. We were exhausted.

But, the rugby fans were kind, generous, and understanding (thank you, if you’re reading this!), and, in line for customs in Nadi, our boy stripped down to his diaper and danced to the local band playing. I still have a sharp image of the line of tired adults grooving at 3 a.m. with the baby dressed only in a diaper, halfway around the world.

It was an awesome trip!

I don’t have a travel-with-kids disaster story–probably because we’ve been too scared to even try much traveling with 3 preschoolers. But as our kids get older (and as we run across encouragement like your post), perhaps we can be a little more adventurous–as my parents were when I was young. Thank you for an inspiring post.

Travelling is not just about the destination, it’s about the people you’re with as well. The experience is a combination of the place/destination, and your travelling companions. Each travel experience is different, but one of the pitfalls of going back to somewhere you’ve been is trying to recreate a previous experience. You’ll always be disappointed that way. But to go somewhere new and look at it with “new” eyes — that’s really great.

I’ve been taking my toddler along to some travel destinations too…other people have said why, the kid won’t remember it anyway. But I do remember how she looks at awe at certain things and how she reacts to certain things, and I look forward to traveling with my toddler more often.

Robert,

That was a very well written article. now I know why you are the top editor at lp! I don’t have kids but I do believe you should mix up the places you go too…seeing paris for the 10th time is not nearly as fun as seeing somewhere for the first!

Totally agree. Even taking the kids a great restaurant experience ever so often will get their minds off of McDonald’s. Everyone should see both coasts and the Grand Canyon in between.

Growing up it was hard traveling with six younger brothers and sisters. now those siblings are parents themselves and some have a hard time traveling with their young ones. I think this would be a spectacular thing for them to get acquainted with before their next trip.

while I too love disney. I love to go to different places. I am going to try to do something different every year. Our 11 day road trip to the grand canyon for our home in AL is one of our most discussed vacations. We want to do yellowstone and that are of the country maybe next year money and time permitting.

I remember in Chicago, us walking a good mile to the ‘bean’, and then realizing we forgot his milk… RIGHT when we get settled to feed him. :P

no travel disasters with our toddler yet, and the book looks like it can help us avoid them!

Oh travel disasters! I would love to avoid having any more especially now that we have small children. This book should help…right?

i really want to go to germany with our 18 month old, but the flight scares me too much! i can barely handle him for a half hour meal at a restaurant! :)

I have a 10 month old and I am still too scared to go on vacation…I could really use this

Sometimes I think life deliberately diverts us from repeating experiences. My mother always takes her grandchildren on an adventure when they turn eleven, and the year my daughter turned eleven, she and her cousin went with her to Philadelphia for the 4th of July.

She remembers loving the bed and breakfast and the maple syrup candy….but she also loved the history, even at that age.

Well, the whole point was still the fireworks show on the 4th. The three of them were apparently too anxious to wait for the actual 4th, took off to see the THIRD of July.

The fireworks, as she described, were fabulous. The next night however…

I had arranged for a taxi to take them to the bridge that night. But my mother, having done the trip the night before, believed she didn’t need it….

They wandered for an hour before, disappointed, they saw people returning from the show.

I guess sometimes even life won’t let you repeat experiences :) But she still loved the trip!

Lynn
http://www.thelasvegasadventurer.com

For the most part – we have had good family vacations…
jswandrn @ gmail.com

We love travel and are desperate to hit the road (well, the airplanes) again, but we’re afraid to try it with a 6-month-old who doesn’t sleep. Will have to check out that book for tips!

I could have used this 5 years ago on a trip to florida. Tthe problem though wasn’t my kids it was my mom in law

We love to travel and could definitely use this book.

I would love to make use of this book. We’re planning a vacation with my nephew and it’ll be the first time we travel with a child!

This book really needs to be in our home! Not much time to write up a disaster story (still unpacking from a long weekend of house boating in another state), but we have them! Thanks for the terrific article, TSM!

I don’t really have a travel memory, but I would love to read this! Thanks!!

Thanks for the post!
I am sure we won’t forget anytime soon getting our rented mini-van stuck in a ditch in the pouring rain near Semuc Champey in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. To make sure we won’t, I blogged about it at: http://tanyagolashboza.blogspot.com/2009/09/bumpy-road-to-semuc-champey.html

We just traveled to San Diego with our two kids in the car! We heard “Are we there yet” the whole way home!

We haven’t had a chance to travel with our little guy yet. I think this book could help give us the courage. Thanks for the giveaway.

Ever been on a jet, going overseas, with a baby that was crying on and off for most of the trip? I have, and I want to do everything to ensure our little one isn’t miserable like that. I want him to have a peaceful and enjoyable trip too!

Thank you.

I could use this book! i just had my first child and I’m getting cabin fever not traveling anywhere. With this book I might be able to convince my wife it’s safe to travel with a baby.

I am always traveling with the family and we would love to have this book

This book seems great, because I’m hesitant to take a vacation because of the kids. Thanks!

Though we live right by Disneyworld, we’re leaving soon on a 7,000 mile road trip with our 5 children to see America. Wish me luck!

This would be an awesome book to have.

We haven’t attempted any flights with our 15 month old, and have only gone on a max of 3-4 hour drives. We’re planning a longer drive next months, so we’ll see how that goes. And we’ve been invited to a vacation in Hawaii, so this book could come in handy!

We’ve done a LOT of travelling with our 18 month old, and in particular I remember taking her to Kennicott mine in the copper center area in Alaska. Let me tell you, a toddler is NOT compatible with old mine operations. She wanted to pick up every rusty metal thing on the ground! Needless to say, lots of tears were shed, and unlikely we will be doing something similar anytime soon!

Happy End of Summer!

We have been traveling with our twins since they were 6 weeks old. They are 14 months old now, and travel is getting trickier.

We’ve gone back somewhere just to learn that our favorite spot to eat was now closed! such a bummer!

I do summer road trips with my kids from Minnesota to the east coast, usually. We have had to return to places because the kids were so little when we went the first time, their only memory is a photo (proof – see you were there!)

Being standed in the airport for 4 hours with a 6 and 3 year old was a disaster. They were hungry and tired and so was I.

I would love to win. My daughter is young and we have another on the way. It would be great to have some guidelines and what is appropriate when.

My family prefers educational and interactive type vacations. While I used to spend my prechild vacations sipping tropical drinks on a beach (ahhh….pleasant memories) they want to visit Fort Sumter in Charleston SC, or Colonial Williamsburg, or visit the museums in Chicago. I’d love to look through the book and pick our next family adventure. I need some ideas!! Thanks.

When my oldest was almost a year old, we took a road trip to visit my family for the holidays. He hated being in the car and though we tried to plan our drive time around his sleep schedule, he just wasn’t having it. I’ll never forget the last leg of the trip home, watching the clock and the odometer as he screamed inconsolably for 93 straight miles. I can still hear it now.

There’s always a need to for new ideas on how to travel with kids

We haven’t had any travel disasters. We only have fond memories of trips together.

Nine hours in the Rome airport was a disaster due to striking pilots. It seemed to always happen every time we went.

Plan a fabulous ski vacation with your family as a gift of Christmas this time! Enjoying the nature is the most pleasurable thing. You can plan according to your wallet.

On a trip to New Hampshire’s White Mtns, my family took a detour on a scenic road that was supposed to be just a few miles longer than our usual more direct route. It was an epic detour that took us three+ hours longer, the road was filled with cavernous frost heaves around most bends, and we were surrounded by forests preventing scenery watching of any kind. It was a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride! That said, I saw my first and only NH moose on that drive and we all still talk about the legendary “Kangamangus Highway” leg of the trip. You’d think it was all we did that week! This book sounds great, hope I win!