I’ve been wanting to do this Travel Tips post for a while now,
ever since we traveled to Europe with Nick’s family in March of this year.
ever since we traveled to Europe with Nick’s family in March of this year.
It’s taken me a while to get my thoughts together on the subject as
traveling with family or anyone for that matter can provide challenges.
In March of this year we flew to Europe with Nick’s dad, step-mom and grandma
to show them around France and Northern Italy.
And while it was a trip full of memories, it also made me think differently about traveling,
as when you travel with people you’re not used to traveling with, it definitely makes you rethink
the layout of your trip and how you accommodate everyone involved.
So here are some tips for traveling with family and the
same could be used for traveling with friends as well.
Many times, family trips are going to be rare. It’s important to document trips with family,
especially major ones abroad like ours in March.
Be sure to take lots of photos but specifically, take group photos with everyone there
to have as memories later on like this one we took in Monaco.
It’s really important when traveling with family to really cherish all the moments while you’re all together. We knew going into this trip that this particular group of people might very well never travel abroad together again, so we definitely will remember many special moments like this special moment seeing Da Vinci’s Last Supper painting together.
Another very important thing to remember when traveling with other people is that everyone travels differently. So before hand, it’s worthwhile to figure out who will be the navigator and sort of leader of your group. It’s also important to remember that whoever is going to be leading the group around should be the one with the map or have an idea of the lay of the land before your trip,
as well as having a little knowledge of the local language.
as well as having a little knowledge of the local language.
Even though we’d already done all the tourist attractions in Paris before,
Nick and I knew we wanted and needed to show his family around to the main spots that are so Paris.
So take the time to redo things you may have already done because in the end, it’s their first time there
and you want them to see all that they can,
even if it’s repeats for you like seeing Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.
Traveling with family can be unpredictable and chaotic at times, so it’s also
really important to take time with your spouse while traveling with family too.
really important to take time with your spouse while traveling with family too.
Nick and I made sure we spent quite a bit of the trip exploring on our own,
which made it a nice break to travel how we usually do and see more quickly,
like this solo excursion up to Castle Hill in Nice, France.
which made it a nice break to travel how we usually do and see more quickly,
like this solo excursion up to Castle Hill in Nice, France.
Also a very important part of traveling with family, is taking time just to yourself.
I took off a couple afternoons of family activities on our trip to go shopping in Milan and Nice,
which helped clear my mind and have some alone time.
Sometimes you just need a break and it’s really important to give yourself some time while traveling with a group of people because it can sometimes be overwhelming.
Overall, traveling with family can provide many challenges, but at the end of the day, you’re creating memories that will last a lifetime.
LuluG says
Completely off topic, but I love your blue scarf!
Louisa @ My Family & Abruzzo
Casey Martin says
Thank you! It’s one of my favorites… it has different spots in Paris all over it 🙂
Kayla C says
Great tips as always Casey! You are so right about those memories too! Those memories are some of my very favorite!
Casey Martin says
Thanks Kayla! Yes, they make great memories.
Nicole Marie says
between all the madness of traveling with more than 2 people its easy to forget or not want to bother with group photos but you’re right its so important! thats where all our christmas cards pics come from!
Casey Martin says
Totally! That one picture at the top was the only one we got and everyone was complaining about doing it, but it’s so important!
Chantal says
Great tips!
Jenn @ A Country Girl's World says
Great tips. My family never really traveled much, so if we ever did travel together I would keep these in mind. The group picture thing is so important! When my friends and I do trips together, we always get a photo of everyone there 🙂 Also, I think the defining a navigator is important even with only a small group. Josh and I took my sister to NYC and I was the navigator. If we hadn’t decided that beforehand we would have been wandering aimlessly.
Casey Martin says
Yes, that’s how this family trip of ours was. They don’t travel much, especially outside the country, so Nick and I really had to change how we travel! It’s those things you don’t really think about but become really important!
missjersey says
I’ve only travelled with extended family once, and that was with my auntie and uncle. My uncle spent most of his time drinking beer by the hotel pool, while my auntie tried to drag me and my mum out for a five mile walk twice a day. We may or may not have arranged most of our day trips during the week we shared with them, because although we love them, our travelling styles are very different.
(On a sidenote, the best thing about that shopping centre in Milan is the McDonald’s tucked away. Whoever gave them permission to set up shop there is crazy!)
Casey Martin says
It’s definitely hard traveling with family, as everyone is so different!
Blush and Barbells says
I went to Mexico with my guy’s parents last year. I don’t think they had nearly as good a time as I did, since I love Mexico!
Casey Martin says
haha, well at least you enjoyed it!
Chelsea @ Lost in Travels says
yes yes yes! i was actually going to write a similar posts since jeremy’s family just came. i couldn’t agree with you more! especially about TIME ALONE! i love them to death but i think everyone kept their sanity because we have alone time
Casey Martin says
So true… it was the same with us, sometimes there is only so much you can take! 🙂
Melanie Fontaine says
I think the last two points are the most important points! I love my parents and traveling with them, but sometimes I just need to be on my own and just be able to be only with myself. Maybe this would be different for people who are very extroverted, but I believe that there will be less confrontation if everybody is able to get some time for themselves every once in a while! 🙂
Casey Martin says
Totally… I need time away too.
Bella Wilson says
Nice Tips! I like the suggestions.