You probably remember the experience of your first summer camp . Or your first trip abroad . Maybe you sometimes think back to the excitement felt when preparing your first trip as a couple ? Each trip brings its share of indelible memories and the first times are often initiatory! Another big first that should mark your minds for a while is the first family trip . This great adventure where each member of the tribe will contribute to the success of a large-scale project. Exploring, tasting the local gastronomy, taking the time to live and forging shared memories… What a great program! Yes, but since traveling with a baby or toddler cannot be completely improvised, it would be good to prepare this trip. Nothing complicated, rest assured! You don’t even need to go to a faraway country to have stars in your eyes and butterflies in your stomach. We offer you 7 tips from a seasoned traveler to make this family vacation an unforgettable moment.
1.Choose the destination for this first family trip carefully
It’s simple, but the destination of your first family trip won’t be chosen by throwing a dart at a world map. That was before 😂! And, while there are billions of wonderful places to set down your bags for a few days, a few weeks… you’re still going to have to make a selection. To find what suits you, base yourself on two foolproof tips:
Your own experience! Seasoned backpackers, regular campers and novices will not opt for the same horizons or the same trip. And the first family trip may not be the best opportunity to backpack if you have never done atypical trips before. First things first. Cover your back!
The members of your family who make up the trip. Is there a baby? Children of different ages? Someone with a disability? Rely on the needs of each before validating the destination.
In any case, opt for kid-friendly countries , whether in Europe or on the other side of the world. And if you are traveling with a toddler, avoid altitude ( no more than 1800 meters before a year and a half ⛰️). You will also avoid extreme heat (or extreme cold!) and destinations where health risks are too high, where the political situation is unstable. And, even if some babies experience jetlag as if nothing had happened, you can choose not to inflict too much jet lag on yourself . You never know!
2. Choose a hosting mode
Clearly, booking your accommodation on site will depend on your desires and what you have liked to do before. Just to share this great experience with your Minis! Are you more of a bivouac and minimalist traveler? Has van life always been your thing? Have you already tried out original accommodation (yurt, caravan, treehouse, etc.)? Go for it! If you don’t find yourself in any of this, a standard rental will do the trick perfectly. Create your vacation in your own image. And don’t forget, once again, that the first family trip is not necessarily the most conducive to discovering extreme adventure if you have never tried it before. Next time, why not 😉. Each trip has its discovery!
3. Stay calm without setting the bar too high
Involve your Minis who are old enough to participate in the preparation of this family trip. They will be happy to help and it will help them to touch these holidays at their fingertips. To imagine the place, to project themselves, to organize themselves accordingly. In short, to live it to the fullest! Read all the guides you want, but don’t set the bar too high. Depending on the age of the youngest in the group, you will be more or less free to scramble here and there. Plan an itinerary, stages, visits. But don’t overload the program! The first family trip is also an opportunity to enjoy, to let yourself live. To watch the sunsets, to count the stars. To stroll by a lake, to collect small stones to make land art. To take the time to cook these recipes that we had compiled without ever having the opportunity to implement them. In short, it’s an opportunity to live in slow motion. But no less intensely! What if the recipe for a zen family vacation was to anticipate without overloading?
4. Pack for the whole family
Aaaaaah, luggage! You can’t avoid it. But you have a choice! You can pack your child’s suitcase or opt for the good big family suitcase, and even decide to travel light . How to pack a minimalist suitcase (but in which nothing is missing)? It’s pretty simple:
by reducing the size of the container;
by limiting clothing to the bare minimum;
by reducing the toiletry bag to a minimum;
by deciding to take the risk of not being burdened!
At worst, let’s be clear, you would find on site something to replace what is missing. If ever it actually were to be missing, moreover. One thing to have in your luggage that said, is the first aid kit . Thermometer, doliprane, saline solution, bandages and disinfectant. Also add tweezers to remove splinters if ever. Without forgetting, if necessary, the medications taken by one of the family members currently being treated (and the prescription just in case).
Also plan something to transport baby: sling, baby carrier, stroller… And then leave with a light heart!