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