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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 13 www.FredericksburgParent.NET 13 "First and foremost, you need to prepare." BUY SOUVENIRS TO PRESERVE THE MEMORIES Buying the kids a toy is inevitable, so I like to make it something relevant to the location: a tuk tuk from Thailand, a dala horse from Sweden, or a singing plush camel from the Middle East. These are representations of the culture, and memories of what we learned about during our visit. Illustrated children's books in different languages also make beauti- ful souvenirs. Traveling abroad with children isn't easy, but it's worth con- sidering. Children prepare you for an entirely differ- ent look at things that add value to interna- tional travel—more won- der to experience, more questions to answer, and undoubtedly, more family connection to enjoy. Traveling abroad with children isn't easy, but it's worth considering. RESEARCH THE AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATIONS First and foremost, you need to pre- pare. Research your destination and needs based on the age of your children. Traveling with a baby requires more than with older children. I suggest staying at an accommodation with a kitchen and washing machine, if you can. This way, your family can store and cook food and wash clothing without paying a fortune. You'll also want to determine your transportation needs. With children still in car seats, choose destinations with good public trans- portation options. PACK WELL, BUT PACK LIGHTLY Once you know where you're going, you'll need to pack appropriately. With children in tow, try to pack as lightly as possible. After five years of family travel, we took a three-week European vacation with two carry-ons and two backpacks. The ease of getting around was amazing! An easily foldable, lightweight stroller—plus a gate check bag for it—is also a must. Of course, the stroller is for tired kids, but doubles as a luggage cart, if needed. HAVE A PLAN, BUT STAY FLEXIBLE When you arrive at your destination, relax! And lower your expectations. Things won't go as planned, but that's OK. Prioritize the most important sights and go when your chil- dren are calm. Call it quits when things aren't working out, value impromptu exploration, and try to find places for the kids, too. Playground visits and children's museums are fun and usually free! Plus, you'll get a view at how other cul- tures teach their children.