Nanny to Mommy

There are many benefits of traveling with a family. After all, you get to spend quality time together away from the stress and distraction of everyday life while taking in new sights and cultures. This means that while fun, vacations also present you with the perfect opportunity to teach your little ones more about the world around them.

While the COVID-19 pandemic means that many travel plans were put on hold in order to help keep others safe, vaccination programs and prevention tactics mean that international travel will soon become possible once again. As a result, you may want to begin planning your next trip to ensure that it is the best one yet!

Here are some top tips to get you started!

- Remember that different countries may require you to obtain different documentation ahead of your travels. For example, in some cases, you may need to prove that you have received certain vaccinations ahead of time. Alternatively, in order to enter the US, you often need to have obtained a VISA or an Esta - which can help you stay in the country for up to 90 days. You can find out whether or not you qualify for an ESTA and even begin the speedy application process at esta-america.com. Some international destinations now require proof of a negative COVID test prior to your arrival. A Miami PCR test for travel can be administered at your home or office, saving you time while helping you get the documentation you need to avoid travel disruptions.

- Book your hotels and flights as early as possible to make the most of any potential deals. The later you leave it, the higher the prices will rise - especially if you will be traveling during peak vacation periods (i.e., over the summer months). Keep an eye out for package details that offer your flights and hotel stay for a set price - as this is another way in which you can save hundreds of dollars.

- Arrange your transport to and from the airport ahead of time, so that you won’t have to worry about it upon your arrival. This is useful on both sides of your trip (i.e., going from your home to the airport and the airport to your hotel). If you're planning a family trip to Slovakia, Bratislava airport transfers are a great way to get around. They offer reliable airport transfers that are safe and comfortable and use modern cars with experienced drivers to ensure safety.

- Research the area that you are visiting carefully to ensure that it is the right choice for you and your family. For example, while the quality of the accommodation is important, you also want to make sure there are plenty of fun things to do in the area to keep the whole family entertained.

- Purchase travel insurance for the whole family to provide you with emergency protection should you need it. While this may seem like an additional expense, it’s definitely worthwhile, and there are many affordable deals online.

- Put together a list of the things you want to do or places you want to see during the trip - ensuring that every member of the family gets a say. This is a great way to ensure that everyone can make the most out of the vacation!

- Consider hiring out a car during your trip so that you won’t have to pay expensive TAXI fees. This also gives your family more freedom as to what activities you participate in as you won’t have to rely on public transport.

- Use these suitcase packing hacks to take the stress out of packing, make the most of your space, and ensure that nothing important gets left behind. If you have older kids who are packing their own suitcases, be sure to check them before you travel to ensure they’ve not forgotten anything.

- If you don’t want to use your cards abroad, exchange your cash ahead of time. Keep an eye out on the exchange rate to ensure that you get the best possible deal.

- The evening before you travel, put all of the important documents, from tickets to passports and insurance information, into a folder and add it to your hand luggage. This is an excellent way of ensuring that nothing gets left behind. For additional security, you should take photographs/scan the documents and store them digitally.

- Be prepared for the lengthy queues at airport security. Where possible, keep a bottle of water with you at all times to ensure you remain hydrated. You might also want to keep a few fun activities in your bag so that you can keep your kids entertained (and minimize the chance of them complaining).

- Buy a few snacks to enjoy on the plane (especially if you have fussy children who will turn their nose up at airplane food).

- Once you have checked into your hotel, take a deep breath and start to relax. The hard part of the journey is over - and you can now focus on having fun and spending time with your family.

- If you have traveled a long distance or across time zones, be prepared to help your children deal with jet lag. The easiest way to do this to encourage them to sleep on the plane, take later flights, or ensure that you keep the first day of your trip relatively free.

- If you are traveling to a destination that is a lot warmer than your hometown, be prepared for the effects of this. For example, you should encourage your children to drink more water than usual and spend plenty of time in the shade as well as the sun, as this can help them avoid feeling overheated or dealing with sunstroke. Apply sunscreen regularly to avoid sunburn.

- Encourage yourself to try something new during your trip - whether you participate in an exciting activity such as jet skiing or order something new from the menu. This is a great way to make the entire experience more memorable!

- Allow each member of the family to choose one activity they want to participate in throughout the trip - whether that means you spend a day at a waterpark or wandering through a museum.

- Try to visit authentic, local restaurants for your evening meal. This is a great way to support small businesses that may have suffered greatly due to the pandemic - and gives you the chance to taste authentic cuisine as opposed to the food that is typically made to please tourists.