Even as adults we can sometimes find it almost impossible to cope with the boredom of travelling long distances, but it’s especially hard for children.
Your kids will be excited to be going on holiday too but it is fair to say that the old phrase that “part of the fun of going on holiday is getting there” does not apply here.
They just want to be there as if you could wave a magic wand, but there are ways to make the journeys easier.
Games
Whether you are travelling my car, boat or plane, you can always give the kids games to play. It’s slightly more tricky in the back of a car due to confinement, but what children might lack in attention span they make up for it in being resourceful.
Either way, this is a great time to teach them some new games. Most board games come in a handy travel size, so you can pack a few of the old favourites like snakes and ladders, but why don’t you teach them to play a game like draughts, backgammon, or chess?
They’re not easy to get the hang of, you what you’ll teach them is the skill in patience and tactics, and once they have mastered the rules you can challenge them to try to defeat you – with the help of some tactical losing on your part.
Food
It’s important to stay healthy on holiday, and when you travel it’s easy to fall into bad habits both on the journey and when you finally arrive at your holiday destination.
As you’re surely aware, kids can be extremely fussy eaters, but you also have the opportunity to get them excited about new and interesting cuisines.
In much of Europe you won’t find too much out of the ordinary, but there will be subtle differences – and not so subtle differences. For example, in Northern European countries such as Norway and Sweden you’ll find that the diet is rich in fish and fatty meats such as lamb.
In Norway a traditional meal may include boiled lamb’s head (Smalahove) served with mashed potato – some people even eat the eyes!
In Eastern Europe you’ll also find that it is a meat rich diet which you’ll find often served as soups and stews such as goulash.
Where should you go?
It’s sometimes overlooked, but the Czech Republic is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 20 years ago the capital, Prague, has as burgeoning tourism industry and is ideal for family holidays. It’s one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities in the world, with a fascinating history.
This is your chance for the little ones to learn about some of the most significant and turbulent periods of modern history.
To look at it now, it is hard to believe that this place was under communist rule for decades.
In the city centre you’ll find a mix of modern, massivist, and classical architecture from the very unusual Dancing House that is only a few years old, to stunning art deco hotel in Prague that has been standing for more than 100 years, and has survived wars and revolutions.
There are few cities in the world where you will be able to give your kids such an incredible insight into the world they live in.