6 Tips for a Stress-Free Family Vacation

I’m a mother and a luxury travel advisor with a child development degree, and these are my non-negotiables when traveling with my kids.

Plan Just ONE Major Activity Per Day

Schedule only one major tour or attraction per day, preferably in the morning when energy is highest. Leave the afternoons for leisure.

Skip the Full-Day Tours (Unless Kids Are Teens)

Full-day tours are exhausting for younger children (and adults, if I’m being honest). Keep it focused. A great 3-4 hour experience beats an overwhelming 8-hour day every time.

Build In Free Time

Leave room for wandering, stumbling upon a piazza, playing in the park, or following your kids' curiosity. Some of the best vacation moments aren't on the itinerary.

Let Kids Help Shape the Plan

The more ownership children feel over the itinerary, the more invested they are in the experience. Let them choose an activity each day. (Make sure you offer pre-approved choices that you and your partner agree on.)

NEVER Skip the Snack Break

A hungry child is a miserable child (and makes for a miserable parent). Build snack breaks into every outing. Thank me later.

Your Tour Guide Makes or Breaks It

The quality of your guide is everything. A great family-friendly guide turns a history lesson into an adventure. A mediocre one loses the kids in minutes. Working with me means you get only vetted, experienced family guides.