DEPARTURE DAY OF A ROAD TRIP: MEANING BEHIND THE MADNESS. TIPS FOR LEAVING ON A ROAD TRIP

Departure Day

Our road trips are anywhere from an eight to ten hour drive or approximately 500 miles to the final destination. We always make sure the ipads are full of tv shows/movies, the snacks and drinks are ready to go and the suitcases are

packed. Kids have their car ride accoutrement, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, toys ready to go. We are ready for the adventure.

FLYING WITH KIDS: KEEPING IT SANE

Getting Around the Worry:

We have been traveling with our kids since they were infants, which--in retrospect--was probably the easiest time to travel with them. Whether traveling with one or three, flying with kids can pose a challenge at any age.  Babies may scream for two hours straight, toddlers are not going to put up with staying seated for an unspecified amount of time, and 'tweens will blame you for the boredom. We worry about the amount of stuff we need to bring, their behavior and the reaction of our fellow passengers. The stress begins the moment you pack the car up and the arguments are sure to follow. Then of course come the lines. The line to check in the line for security, it's a long process sure to make any child a bit cranky.

What Has Worked for Us May Work for You:

Give Yourself Time:

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time at the airport. Lines can be unpredictable and sometimes security can take longer then anticipated. If you have time after security, stock up on drinks and snacks, then find a less crowded area to spread out. Let your kids run around. They are about to be stuck, strapped into a seat for two to ten hours, so let them get their energy out. Most travelers will think it's cute to see them running around in the airport as opposed to having too much energy on the plane. You may not need 12 hours like my husband thinks necessary, but do leave a buffer of time.

Tips on Trips- Williamsburg

Where to Stay- 

We stayed on sight at the Williamsburg Woodlands. The hotel was fine and staff friendly. When making the reservations I was told I could only have a room with two queen size beds because of our package, but upon arrival we were upgraded to a suite. Breakfast is included. It's self serve, not anything to write home about, but the kids thought it was great and that's all that matters. You will have to look somewhere else for a decent cup of coffee. They are next to the visitor center and you can pick up the shuttle to the historic district or walk.  It's a nice short walk to the village. I recommend the walk, very pretty. We have stayed at the Williamsburg Lodge before. A nicer hotel with a better breakfast and closer proximity to the historic village. In my opinion they are both fine and accommodating.

Where to Eat-

The historic village of Williamsburg has a couple of " historic" Taverns where you will find items similar to the 18th century Williamsburg. Not our favorite choices, but for the kids, it is fun. They like the idea of eating in "historic" eateries. Best for dinner, maybe one meal unless you have a package deal that includes meals at the taverns. We love the The Blue Talon Bistro, it is very kid friendly and great quality food. Outside of the park a couple of great places for younger kids are The Peking Restaurant and Captain Georges, two fun buffets, not the greatest food, but fast and easy for the kids. Plus what kid doesn't like a buffet. A nicer option a bit outside the park is La Tienda, this is great for older kids or kids that are able to sit through a longer meal. Great wine selection and wonderful array of tapas.

Lunch time can be a bit trickier in Williamsburg as your options within the historic park are limited to the taverns. However, right outside in Merchants square are some wonderful options. Our favorite is The Cheese Shop. They have great sandwiches as well as an array of amazing cheeses. You can get it to go and picnic in the historic village or eat on site. Dog Street Pub is a great option for both lunch and dinner. Fun gastropub with a kids menu. Of course the other options are just to eat from some of the stands that sell hotdogs and sandwiches.

Tips on Trips- Thailand and Cambodia

Where to stay

Bangkok

You could drive yourself insane looking at all of the possibilities. My job at my job became searching every website for the best location, most reasonable, kid-friendly hotel in the city.  Finally, we decided to go with a big hotel name, mainly so the kids could have a pool to decompress. We were surprised by how good a deal we got at the Shangri-La Bangkok. This was commensurate with what we discovered years ago, in casting the net wide. Often, deals emerge at more expensive spots making them cheaper than ostensibly cheaper hotels. In this case, the Shangri La was refurbishing their luxury tower and ws offering great deals in the other tower.  So instead of trying to find the best deal in the best location and the newest/chicest hotel, we just went with a reputable name.