Travelling with kids? It’s never easy, is it? But if you’re willing to think outside of the box and have a little patience, it can actually be a really fun experience. Here’s what you need to know before jetting off to the City of Lights with your little ones:
Plan ahead
Getting ready for your Paris family vacation can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time away from home. To make the wait go a little more smoothly, plan your trip a few months in advance, and put together a packing list of essentials. If there’s a specific place you’ve always wanted to visit, try booking your trip around the same time to make it easier for you and your family. For example, if you’re going to Paris in July, try booking your flight and hotel at the same time to make it easier to coordinate. Also, keep in mind that the temperature in Paris can change quickly, especially in the summer months. So, if you want to visit in the winter, book your trip for the spring or fall and don’t forget to install Hotels.com travel app.
Don’t expect too much
Kids might be excited to pack their bags and head off on a long-awaited vacation, but they’re also likely feeling a little bit anxious. In order to help your kids maintain their excitement, you should keep in mind that they may not be as excited by Paris as you are. Paris is a city that many people dream of visiting. While it’s exciting that your kids are excited to visit a new city, you should try to remember that they might be more excited by the idea of a vacation than by the destination itself. To avoid making your kids feel disappointed about their vacation, you should keep in mind that Paris can be a lot of fun for kids. A family vacation is a great opportunity to teach your kids valuable life skills, such as patience, self-responsibility, and the importance of being kind to others. If your kids are excited to learn, they may be less likely to feel disappointed by the experience.
Ask your hotel staff for help
Try to find a way to connect with the front desk staff if you can at your Paris hotel. Whether it’s through email or a phone call, ask the staff for help with any issues you may have during your stay. Even if you don’t end up needing their assistance, it can be a nice gesture to our Paris vacation hosts. It can also help you feel like you’re a part of the community, which can be an important feeling for many families who travel abroad for the first time.
Eat well and stay fit
While it’s nice to relax and enjoy the city’s sights and sounds, don’t let yourself get too sucked into the hectic pace of Paris. Make sure you eat well, stay fit, and get enough sleep so that you’re fully-rested, mentally ready to travel, and ready to explore the city. This will help you to make the most of your vacation to France and avoid becoming overwhelmed by the fast city pace. You don’t want to miss out on any of the sights, sounds, and activities that make Paris so special, but you don’t want to get sick because you’re overdoing it. If you’re not used to traveling with kids, be mindful of your pace and pace yourself so that you don’t end up missing out on anything. Events like the French Open tennis tournament may be a bit much for your children.
Pack smart and check-in early
Even if you feel like you’re ready to hit the road with your family, remember that you need to be prepared. Pack as if you’re planning on staying in your hotel for a week, and check-in early. You’re less likely to have issues with reservations at Paris hotels if you check-in 30 days in advance rather than 30 minutes before you need to go. Also, make sure that you have all of your documents together and on hand, such as your passport, a photo of your family, a credit card with a sufficient amount of funds to cover your stay, and your reservations. Make sure that you’re ready to go before you hit the road. You don’t want to be in the middle of your trip, tired and frazzled, because you forgot one of these items. You may be able to get away with checking in early or dropping one of the items off at the hotel in the city before you depart.
Be spontaneous, but plan ahead too
One of the best parts about traveling with kids is that you get to be spontaneous. You don’t need to schedule activities, eat at a certain time, or stick to a certain schedule. However, that doesn’t mean that you should skip out on planning your trip at all. You don’t want to end up in a rush to get from point A to point B because you didn’t plan enough. Plan for some spontaneity, but be aware of the time you need for transit and for getting from place to place in Paris. The best way to find the right mix of planning and spontaneity is to visit some of the city’s attractions and see what your kids like.
Bottom line
From the best place to stay to the best things to see and do, we’ve got you covered in this article. And remember, Paris is a city that is full of surprises, so don’t let a list of dos and don’ts stop you from exploring the city the way it was meant to be explored. Your family might be pleasantly surprised by how much they like Paris, or they might end up loving it just as much as you do. Either way, you’ll have a great experience.
