Where Should You Travel With Children?
So you've made up your mind that you are going on a family
vacation. And the next question is ~ where to? There are many
places for a family vacation but not all of them will have what
you need for an enjoyable trip. Since you are going together
with your children, they will need to be the key point to
consider if you are all to have a great vacation.
A frequent choice for family vacations with children is Las
Vegas or Reno in Nevada. In my view, these are less than ideal
-- these cities are not family destinations, no matter what
efforts the tourism industries in both cities (Las Vegas
especially) make.
Neither Las Vegas, nor Reno offer something exceptional for
children that cannot be seen anywhere else. Besides, going to
Las Vegas, suggests that you would like to spend at least some
time gambling. Gambling is an activity that you~d better keep
for adults-only vacations.
Where traveling with children is concerned, some of the
perennial favorites are the Disney theme parks. These parks are
ideal for children between the ages of five and twelve - though
they are still fun for older children! However, it's recommended
that you wait until your children are old enough to walk. If you
bring a child who is younger than three years old, the chances
are that he or she will not remember the trip at all.
You should keep in mind, however, that Disney parks are an
energetic vacation destination. These are not good places to go
for a relaxing time, since they tend to be crowded, and there is
always something new to go and see. With younger children,
expect cranky afternoons.
For a more relaxed family vacation, you should think about a
destination like Hawaii. While Hawaii is not geared specifically
toward children, there are still plenty of things for you to do
depending on which island you're staying on.
Hawaii is a good choice for slightly older children -- let~s say
over ten -- because many of its attractions are geared to
individuals over that age. For instance Pearl Harbor ~ younger
children will have no way to understand what is so special about
that place.
Another nice idea for family vacations with children is cruise
ships. Again, there are several things one should know in
advance. First, while on a cruise ship with your family, it is
to be expected that you will have to share a room and there will
be not enough space for everybody. If you spend most of the time
outside and visit your cabin only to have some sleep, things
might be not so bad.
You should also consider that cruise ship vacations may not be
the best choice for teenagers. This is due to the fact that most
of the children's programs are designed for children 12 and
under, and teenagers are not quite old enough to participate in
the entertainment designed for adults (for instance, lounges and
casinos). The benefit of a cruise is that you'll get to see
breathtaking ocean views and visit several different ports. Keep
your eyes open for whales!
In the end, however, where you go for your family vacation is up
to you. Nobody knows what your children will be interested in
better than you do. So, consider your children's interest, and
to what extent they will be catered for, combined with your
preferences for where you would like to go, and the type of
vacation that you are most interested in.
Andrew Westforth is the webmaster and operator of FHT Travel -- a large and
comprehensive collection of information on travel, including
resources, articles and a free newsletter. For more information,
go to: http://www.fhttravel.com