I have taken my children to Europe dozens of times. Here are my tips for the perfect European family vacation.

Are you planning a vacation in Europe with your children? Since mine were babies, I have traveled with them to Europe at least twice a year.. With jet lag and interrupted routines, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but their looks of wonder the first time they saw the Swiss Alps and the Eiffel Tower far outweighed the pitfalls.

Exposing them to European people, languages ​​and ideas sparked a curiosity that remains intact now that they are young adults. After dozens of transatlantic trips, I finally managed to master the routine. So if you’re planning a family trip to Europe, try these tips to take the stress out of your vacation.

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1. To avoid queues, be an early riser

There’s no denying that high season in major European cities means crowds. Starting the day early in capital cities from London to Rome has been a simple but effective way to avoid queues. We are the first to arrive at popular attractions and almost always find queues manageable.

2. Weigh the pros and cons of furnished apartments versus hotel rooms

Renting a furnished apartment, like an Airbnb or VRBO, offers space and simulates local life much better than staying in a hotel. Having a kitchen or kitchenette makes it easy to prepare budget-friendly snacks and meals. Do your research as several European cities have banned or are considering banning Airbnb.

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For some families, someone else making your bed is a fundamental part of the vacation. If you choose to stay in a hotel, location should be a priority. I always favor residential areas near a park, to breathe fresh air and tranquility before or after a tourist visit.

3. You can’t beat jet lag, but you can lessen its effects

Crossing multiple time zones is exhausting for travelers of all ages. If I had a dollar for every time my kids woke up wide awake at 3 a.m. after a long-haul flight, I’d be rich. Most flights to Europe from the East Coast depart at night. I always asked my kids to brush their teeth and put on their pajamas to try to encourage them to sleep for at least a few hours of the flight. He Sometimes work.

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While there’s no magic wand, sunlight can help you reset your body clock. I found it helpful to look for a park the day we arrived. After sitting for so many hours on a plane, fresh air is important, even if it doesn’t completely make jet lag go away.

4. Consider Mid-Size Cities When Choosing Your Vacation Destination

Is there anyone who enjoys navigating large crowds with young children? For a less hectic cultural experience, consider a mid-sized European city. Dupes are all the rage, so consider Rotterdam, with its cubic houses and bustling harbor, rather than Amsterdam. With a range of cultural attractions, city parks and the same language, Dublin feels like a scaled-down version of London.

5. Don’t overlook the simple appeal of the European countryside

With slower paces, small towns can be great for kids. When my children were preteens, we spent several weeks in Bonnieux, a village in Provence. Since there was virtually no traffic and everyone seemed to know each other, I gave them a lot more freedom than in our hometown, New York. Walking independently to the bakery and playground expanded their horizons in a completely different way than a city vacation.

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6. If possible, choose to travel during the less crowded low season

With sparse crowds and lower prices, low-season travel is all the rage. When my kids were preschoolers, we saved a lot of money by traveling in the late fall, winter, and early spring. Unfortunately, low season travel does not fit into the school calendar. Once my kids were in elementary school, we started planning trips for Thanksgiving week. This is not a European vacation, and plane tickets from the United States to many European destinations often cost less than domestic flights.

7. Let kids take an active role in trip planning

Ask your children’s opinions and incorporate their interests into the itinerary and they will become more invested in your European vacation. My kids love ice cream; when they were in college, they researched the top-rated ice cream parlors in Rome. We enjoyed scrumptious cones while diving into the Colosseum and Roman Forum for an ice cream crawl of a lifetime.

8. Resist the temptation to cram too much into your schedule

It’s normal to want to see as much as possible, but try to avoid overloading your schedule. Overstimulation virtually guarantees grumpy moods and tantrums, especially in the first few days when jet lag is at its worst. A slower pace allows you to savor the present moment. Delve into one museum instead of three and you’ll get a deeper impression, rather than that of a Reader’s Digest version.

9. You will never regret prioritizing downtime

Unstructured time can be a powerful anecdote about overstimulation; punctuate the attractions with respites on the playground or freewheeling rides.

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10. Appreciate the little things

Take the time to appreciate the little things that make each culture unique. Buying a freshly baked croissant in Paris may have a more lasting impact on your child than seeing the Mona Lisa.

11. Take advantage of public transportation

Taking public transportation is an inexpensive way to sightsee. My children enjoyed spending hours on the old-fashioned trams that crisscross Milan.

12. Pack table toys

Packing a few compact toys takes up minimal space and helps stave off boredom. I always took the nostalgia route with a yo-yo and Silly Putty.

13. Favor picnics

Leisure dining is the norm in much of Europe. When my kids were little, their little French and Italian cousins ​​would sit patiently at the table for multi-course meals while my kids got restless after five minutes. My European dream itinerary includes multiple meals at Michelin-starred restaurants, but with kids in tow, picnics are a winner.

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Buying groceries at a market is an economical immersion into local life. If you visit a supermarket, your children may be surprised to learn that in many European countries, customers are expected to bag their own groceries and that a coin is required to borrow a shopping cart.

14. Find out where to find cheap flights

Several newer airlines offer competitive prices to Europe. Discount airline French bee jets flies to Paris nonstop from New York, Florida and San Francisco, for example, while low-cost Play flies from Stewart Airport outside New York to Reykjavik, Iceland, where you can connect to flights throughout Europe.

Before booking a connecting flight, keep in mind that repeated boarding and disembarking, driving through busy airports searching for your boarding gate, and the possibility of missing your connecting flight are some of the disadvantages .

15. Pre-order a kids meal on the plane

The major airlines all serve meals on flights to Europe. Consider pre-ordering a children’s meal. Special meals are served first, limiting the chance of going hungry. Most airlines require that you reserve a special meal at least 48 hours before departure.

16. Pack a stroller for young children

Even if your child hasn’t sat in a stroller for a year, consider packing a lightweight, foldable stroller. It’s great for maneuvering through crowded airports and makes the perfect perch for naps.

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