Vacations abroad are appreciated by Romanians who can’t wait to take their well-deserved vacation and go to exotic locations or places full of history, people and new things. However, a trip across the border with children can become a tiring experience, full of unpredictability, so adequate preparation is needed to be able to anticipate all the unpleasant moments that may arise, related to transport, accommodation, places to visit, to eat, etc.

Careful planning and rigorous organization are two extremely important things for any tourist who decides to go abroad with children. Thus, the right destination will be taken into account, taking into account the climate, the available activities or the level of comfort, the list of necessary items in the luggage, useful documents, special vaccinations, health insurances, transport and accommodation planning, the security situation in the chosen destination, the rules that must be respected by the little ones.

The article below provides useful information about how to organize a vacation with children depending on the means of transport used, about the need to take out travel insurance, as well as some important tips and recommendations to make this trip abroad a pleasant one, without stress.

1. Vacation with children – organization according to the means of transport used

Choosing the right means of transport for a vacation with children abroad can be quite difficult at first glance. For this reason, it is necessary to take into account the age of the children, how close or how far from Romania the chosen destination is, the family’s vacation preferences or the available budget.

One of the suitable means of transport for such a vacation is the personal car. A trip by car comes with many advantages: you can opt for as many breaks as possible along the route, so that the little ones don’t get bored or can satisfy their different needs, comfort is increased due to the presence of an already familiar environment , the costs will be much lower than in the case of the plane. However, parents must think very carefully about the fact that there are also some major disadvantages: the journey can be much slower and the time longer, and the children can get bored and become more and more irritated.

Another suitable means of transport for a holiday abroad is the plane. Many parents prefer it because the duration of the trip is much reduced, which means that the little ones will bear the journey more easily, because modern airplanes are very comfortable. Specialists draw attention to the fact that not a lot of luggage can be taken, financially the flight will be more expensive, and the little ones can become anxious during the trip.

The bus is another way to travel with children. An advantage of this means of transport is the very low cost, which makes the bus one of the most economical options. Another benefit brought by a bus trip is the fact that it offers increased comfort, because it provides very comfortable seats and various entertainment activities. However, it should be mentioned that the duration of the trip will be longer and that the bus cannot enter any place and cannot make the necessary stops for a family with children at any time.

Last but not least, the train should be mentioned, because it allows a family to make a relaxing trip and provides a larger space for the little ones, who may get bored just sitting on the seat, wanting to move more leisurely. Also, family members can admire different beautiful landscapes and socialize with other travelers.

1.1. Luggage list suitable for a vacation with children abroad

After the means of transport to the desired destination has been chosen and all measures have been taken regarding the safe movement of the little ones, you can move on to making a list containing the things that must be put in the luggage. The proper preparation of the luggage can make the difference between a special vacation, with memorable experiences and a disastrous one, tiring and full of unforeseen situations, difficult to manage. Adults must make sure that they have everything they need at hand rather than face substantial shortages.

The list of things for luggage must include the following:

• documents for all family members, which must be valid;
• the necessary tickets for the plane, train or bus;
• reservations for accommodation;
• travel insurance;
• suitable clothes and shoes for all family members;
• suitable clothes and shoes for different activities they will have at their destination;
• hygiene articles;
• medicines and first aid kit;
• toys for the little ones;
• snacks, drinking water;
• different means of transport necessary for the movement of the little ones (car seat, stroller, baby carrier, etc.).

1.2. Unpleasant situations, which must be prevented before going on vacation with children

The proper organization of the vacation with children also involves the prevention of unpleasant situations that could spoil the trip. These include flight delays or cancellations, poor health of children or other family members, loss or theft of luggage or documents, inappropriate behavior of children, weather conditions or various natural disasters, loss of children, problems related to accommodation.

Preventing these situations is not difficult at all. Before departure, it is good to check the status of the flights to know exactly whether or not there is a problem related to the flight or the transport by train or bus. It is also recommended that family members arrive two hours before departure so that everything goes according to plan.

Health problems can be prevented by taking out adequate travel insurance. Some policies cover all kinds of risks, so it is good to carefully research the problem in order to be able to make the best decision, in full knowledge of the cause. Important documents must be kept in certain safe places, but it would be good to have some legalized copies or at least scans of the documents, on the phone or on the tablet.

Children can behave inappropriately during the trip, so it is good to tell them what is expected of them, to draw certain rules for them to follow, so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Of course, we should not forget that the little ones need entertainment during the trip or increased attention from their parents.

It is also necessary to check the atmospheric conditions in the place of destination in order to be able to insert the necessary items in the luggage. Sometimes bad weather can surprise a traveler who has not checked the weather forecast, especially when traveling with small children. In addition, specialists recommend parents to instruct the little ones what to do in case they get lost, to keep a recent picture of them and offer it to the local authorities if needed.

Checking the accommodation conditions is mandatory for the smooth development of the vacation. In this sense, you can read the online reviews of other travelers and make the best decisions before reaching your destination. If the reviews are negative or if the place of accommodation does not have certain facilities for the little ones, then it would be good to consider other options.

1.3. Where can you go on vacation abroad with children?

Fortunately, there is a wide variety of places where parents can take their children on vacation, among the most popular destinations are Disneyland Paris, the islands of Greece, Costa del Sol (Spain), London (Great Britain), Dubai (United Arab Emirates United), Thailand and so on. Before opting for one place or another, some fundamental aspects must be taken into account, which will guarantee a spectacular, relaxing vacation, full of wonderful experiences:

• destinations must offer different facilities (amusement parks, water parks, play areas, etc.);
• the climate must be comfortable, to the liking of the little ones;
• there must be different opportunities for education or exploration (museums, botanical gardens, national parks, etc.);
• safety standards should be high;
• the destinations must be suitable for the children’s age, with a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.

2. Taking out a travel insurance for vacation with small children

Taking out a travel insurance should not be missing from the vacation list. This policy offers increased protection to all family members in case of unforeseen events. In order to understand the coverage of this insurance, you must carefully read all the information, because only in this way will the beneficiary know what the risks are covered and if he is protected in any situation or only in certain circumstances.

2.1. The risks covered by travel insurance for holidays with children

Among the risks covered by the travel insurance taken out for a vacation with the family abroad are:

• Health problems that may arise during the journey, at the destination or upon returning to the country (injuries, illnesses, dental problems, surgeries, treatments, etc.);
• Travel cancellation or delay (these events can occur due to health problems, natural disasters or flight cancellation for covered reasons);
• Emergency medical assistance (travel insurance covers telephone counseling services, allows medical evacuation or repatriation for the same reason).

These are just a few types of risks that are covered by the policy, the beneficiary having to check the details and the conditions he wants, so that he feels that he is optimally protected throughout the vacation.

2.2. The importance of travel insurance for holidays with children

Unfortunately, there are still people who believe that they do not need to sign such a policy, because they think that nothing bad can happen to them and that they would pay some money for nothing. The truth is that no one can predict the future and that travel insurance remains an essential investment when it comes to vacations with children abroad. The little ones get sick quite often, they need specialist advice and they very often fall victim to various types of accidents. Thus, it can be said that concluding a travel medical insurance is of major importance from several reasons:

• It covers the costs of emergency medical treatments;
• Covers costs related to medical care;
• Provides access to emergency medical assistance at any time;
• Covers material losses;
• Provides assistance in case of legal or administrative problems;
• Allows access to assistance and counseling services;
• Provides peace of mind to parents;
• Prevents financial losses in case of unforeseen events.

3. Rules, tips and recommendations for holidays with children

Traveling with the little ones is considered stressful by many parents, because it involves organizing the event in the smallest details. Specialists recommend parents not to forget to train their little ones before going on the road. They must establish from the very beginning what are the expectations they have regarding the children’s behavior, what is allowed and what is not, how to respect the rules in public spaces, not to disturb other people, not to damage public properties, to maintain discipline. Also, the little ones must understand perfectly what will be the consequences of not respecting the imposed rules.

The journey to the destination can be a beautiful experience or not. In this sense, it is important to consider a few holiday tips by car, plane, train or bus:

• If traveling by car, there will be a few breaks for rest or for serving the meal, because the little ones feel the need to move and relax. To keep them occupied during the trip, children must have different games or interactive activities at hand. Car seats will be installed for babies, equipped with appropriate safety belts. Various snacks and water to quench your thirst will not be forgotten. The driver must check the car before leaving and put it in order to avoid major breakdowns;
• If you are traveling by train, it is important to reserve the tickets in advance, to occupy suitable seats for children and to explain to them in advance what the rules of behavior are in this medium of transport. Parents will take with them fun games, snacks, water and will constantly supervise the children;
• If you choose to fly, you must arrive at the airport two hours before departure, pack your luggage properly and take a carry-on bag in which to put all the items necessary for children. Also, the little ones will be instructed how to behave, how loudly to speak, not to disturb the other passengers;
• Traveling by bus can be stressful, because it will take much longer, and the little ones are not very patient. For this reason, it is good for parents to reserve seats next to children, to have toys, snacks, water with them, to have patience to explain to them different things they see out the window and to teach them to respect the rules and conditions of travel.

In conclusion, a vacation abroad with the little ones can be extremely beautiful and memorable if the parents take into account the organization in the smallest details. Choosing the means of transport, taking out a medical travel insurance, making a list of suitable items to be put in your luggage or taking precautions related to certain unforeseen situations that could arise are just a few elements that will guarantee a special trip.