Our tour managers spend months of every year on the road with families, from toddlers on their first flight to teenagers who would rather be anywhere else. We asked them what separates a stressful family trip from a brilliant one. Their answers were refreshingly practical.

Plan the pace, not just the places

“The most common mistake is trying to do an adult itinerary with children in tow,” one of our managers told us. Build in a slower morning every few days, keep transfers short, and plan no more than one big sight a day. A rested child at a lesser-known park is happier than an exhausted one at a famous museum.

Involve the children before you leave

  • Show them the places on a map and let each child choose one thing they want to see.
  • Watch a film or read a story set in your destination.
  • Give older children a small travel budget and a role — keeper of the map, chief photographer, or the person who orders dinner in the local language.

Children who feel part of the plan complain less and remember more.

Pack for the journey, not just the destination

The flight or long coach day is often the hardest part. A dedicated day bag for each child makes a huge difference:

  • Snacks they know and like, plus an empty water bottle to fill after security.
  • Headphones, a downloaded film or two, and a couple of offline games.
  • A change of clothes, wet wipes and a small first-aid kit with children’s medicines.
  • A favourite toy or comfort item — never in the checked bag.

Feed them early and often

Hunger is behind most meltdowns. Eat a little earlier than the local custom, carry snacks at all times, and do not fight every unfamiliar dish. In Japan, the convenience stores are a family favourite; in Europe, a picnic in the park is cheaper and more relaxed than a long restaurant lunch.

Keep everyone safe and connected

  • Take a photo of your children each morning so you have a record of what they are wearing.
  • Put a card with your phone number and hotel name in each child’s pocket.
  • Agree a meeting point the moment you arrive anywhere busy.
“Leave one afternoon in every trip completely empty,” says one of our longest-serving tour managers. “The hotel pool is often the thing they talk about most when they get home.”

Choose a family-friendly format

Our family departures are designed around these lessons: shorter travel days, connecting or family rooms, child-friendly meals and activities, and tour managers who know that a well-timed ice cream can save an afternoon.