| Traveling with Children | | | | make her feel like they were talking to her. She |
| Always a joy, often confusion, a bit of frustration, | | | | loved every minute and learned interesting tidbits |
| a few moments of "why did we do this," and | | | | such as; "Budapest is great, because you can live |
| then perfection again. Traveling with children, | | | | in Buda where the nicer homes are and work in |
| especially throughout Europe or any foreign | | | | Pest where the jobs are." |
| country, takes a bit more planning, organization | | | | Finding the Petite Train in each village you visit |
| and alot of flexibility. Following are some tips to | | | | Most villages throughout Europe have a small train |
| making your trip memorable. | | | | that takes you and your children around the |
| Swimming Pool | | | | village or town. It provides a wonderful adventure |
| If possible, get a hotel with a pool (an indoor pool | | | | for them and a great view of the entire city for |
| in the fall and winter). Every afternoon we would | | | | the adults. If a train isn't available go for what my |
| return to the hotel and take a swim and relax. | | | | friends call the "old lady bus," which are the open |
| This turned out to be great for everyone and a | | | | air buses that will give you a tour of the city. |
| priority in picking a hotel if available. This goes | | | | Another great alternative. |
| without saying that this is a must in the summer | | | | Find the Parks |
| but a great treat in the fall, spring and winter if it | | | | Your first task is to find the parks nearby and |
| is an indoor pool. | | | | when they are open. These become necessary |
| Collection | | | | respites for everyone including yourself. Bring a |
| After a long discussion our daughter settled on | | | | book and relax while your children play. |
| collecting certain things; a doll from the country | | | | Tourist Offices |
| and a patch (available in any tourist shop) and | | | | As an adult I often avoided going into tourist |
| beautiful rocks. She spent hours looking for the | | | | offices as I wanted to explore on my own. With |
| right doll that she could add to her collection with | | | | a child this is a must. Peruse the stacks of |
| the budget we had given her. Other times she | | | | brochures on interesting things to do and find out |
| took to finding the rock; in a garden or a store. | | | | about an alligator park, a water slide, a doll |
| Train, Plane, Taxi, Boat | | | | museum or other attractions you wouldn't think |
| Our main source of entertainment was a | | | | of going to visit. They often can be the best |
| notebook to write and draw in and colored pens. | | | | hidden treasure you find. |
| Jean would draw Zoe pictures of the local | | | | Book longer stays with kids clubs |
| buildings, castles and scenery and she would color | | | | Renting a house is great but you will still be the |
| it for hours. This way she was building her own | | | | entertainment. When possible book a week in one |
| coloring book designed especially for her. As she | | | | place where there are activities for kids. |
| got a bit older (7) she started to draw the | | | | Throughout Europe there a variety of groups |
| buildings herself and loved to spend hours with us | | | | renting condos and apartments in the mountains, |
| in a cafe drawing a church or statue. | | | | beaches and rivers with kids activities. Many |
| Visiting castles, museums, abbeys | | | | holiday villages also have kids camps and activities |
| Our daughter was mesmerized with the audio | | | | for the week - so ask the hotel you book at if |
| tours available at most historic site. We found that | | | | such activities exist. Check out Pierre Vacances in |
| when she had her audio tour she happily walked | | | | France and Nouvelle Frontiere. When this isn't |
| through the cathedral or castle listening to every | | | | possible try to stay at least three days in one |
| word and we were able to do the same. | | | | location and vary cities with beaches, mountains, |
| Surprisingly this also translated to live tour guides. | | | | and rivers where kids can just play. |
| The key was to get up close and personal and | | | | |