In the days and weeks leading up to my trip to France and Switzerland last summer, I found myself playing a little game with my friends. I would tell them that I was going to the South of France (true) and watch them grow envious. After getting their reactions (“Oh, you’re so lucky!” “I wish was going too!”), I would then tell them that my husband and I would be bringing along our two-and-a-half-year-old son (also true). I would watch their expression change completely until there was not one drop of jealousy was left. This is highly amusing and I suggest you try it even if you don’t have a toddler and you’re not going to the South of France.
It turns out that my trip to the South of France was fabulous even with our toddler in tow. In fact, having a toddler can make you enjoy the destination even more! Yes, you miss out on romantic meals and nightlife and you have to deal with meltdowns and way too much luggage. But having a toddler has enhanced all of the trips we’ve taken with him over the past two years. And now that we’ve had our second child, I can only imagine how the rhythm of the trips are going to change again! But here are 4 Reasons Why It’s Good to Travel With a Toddler:
Traveling with a toddler means more pool time and less sightseeing — not a problem when you’re at the pool at Terre Blanche in Provence.
1. Traveling With a Toddler Forces You to Slow Down
I always plan a harried itinerary; I can’t help it. My most recent trip was no exception. In 10 days, we went to Annecy, Avignon, Antibes, Provence and Geneva. But even though there was a lot of packing and unpacking, we managed to spend some very relaxing days. In Antibes, we spent two full days at the beach because the beach is a great toddler activity. And we all really had fun splashing around. In Provence, we spent the bulk of our two days at the gorgeous pools at Terre Blanche. If we didn’t have our toddler with us, I would have packed most of those days with sightseeing in the surrounding towns. Yes, I’m that kind of traveler, or at least I used to be. Traveling with a toddler forces you to slow down, and I need that. I always forget to relax on my vacation.
2. People Are More Likely to Help You
I’ve been lucky that throughout my travels, I have met more nice, helpful people than the reverse. But when you have a child, they tend to be even nicer. We got ourselves into quite a parking predicament in Portugal in November 2011, and I’m certain that if our son hadn’t been there our car would still be stuck. On the way from Seville to Sintra, we wanted to walk on the beach on Albufeira. Even though it was the off season, we had trouble finding parking so we chose a spot with a somewhat menacing symbols. We couldn’t read the Portuguese sign, so we went down to the beach for an hour and hoped for the best. When we returned, a car had parked directly behind us. We were completely boxed in… by the town priest whose spot we had stolen! We were mortified, and the owner of the restaurant came out to see the jerks who had parked there. I could tell he was ready to yell at us but then he spotted my young son. His demeanor totally changed and the next thing we new he was helping my husband remove barricades so we could drive on the sidewalk, as that was our only chance of leaving in the next several hours.
Our car was completely boxed in by the priest because we accidentally stole his spot. If we didn’t have a toddler to play on their sympathies, we might still be there!
3. You Get to Ride the Carousel Again… and Again
Amazingly, my son had never ridden a carousel until France. We don’t encounter them too frequently in New York City. But carousels seemed to everywhere on this trip, even in Geneva. And it was very hard to walk by one without allowing my son to go on it at least once. But this also meant that my husband and I got to the ride a lot of carousels. And carousels are fun!
The best part of Geneva’s Botanic Garden is the Carrousel des Fables, which translates to the Carousel of Fairy Tales.
4. Playing with the Locals
When we traveled as a couple, our interactions with the locals or even other travelers were typically quite limited. But when you travel as a family, other traveling families and often local families will chat with you. We found this to be especially true at the playground. While spending an hour or so at a playground may sound like a waste when you have a limited time in a city, it’s actually a great way to observe and interact with the locals. We especially enjoyed some great playgrounds in Sweden and Denmark, like the playground at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. When you’re hanging out at the playground, you can imagine what life would be like if you lived in that city. And, learning what life is like in different places in the world is what travel is all about.
Note: This post first appeared on Travelandescape.ca
Liz, I often forget to relax while on vacation as well. I have always loved traveling with children. I find it opens up many more opportunities to chat and get to know the local people, especially at playgrounds during one of the obligatory “let’s take a break” times!
Corinne recently posted..Sunday’s Travel Inspiration – UAE
Sometimes just enjoying the simple things and connecting with locals and having some good food is all it takes to enjoy and vacation especially in Provence
noel recently posted..Filbert steps in San Francisco,Travel Photo Mondays #44
This is giving me hope, as our little family grows! Your reasons make a lot of sense, too… not just pie-in-the-sky fluff. Thanks!
Lillie – @WorldLillie recently posted..Watch Out! Too-Seductive Food on Martha’s Vineyard…
I am dying with the priest – my boyfriend’s secret spot on any day but Sunday! All jokes aside, the parking symbols in Spain and Portugal are mega confusing, even when you’ve done driving school here. The colors lines! The times! The days when you have to change sides! Thank goodness for cuddly babies!
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas recently posted..Learning by Watching and Doing in India
This is such a sweet list! Though I think we are pretty far from traveling with a toddler ourselves, it’s always nice to hear such positive reflections on family travel!
Casey @ A Cruising Couple recently posted..Learning to Make French Macarons in Paris
For various reasons, we’ve only travelled around Gran Canaria with our toddler. There’s just so much to see. He loves his pool time too. Which is why we can’t wait to spend some time at another casa rural this weekend.
Gran Canaria Local recently posted..Hito Restaurante
I love your insights into the benefits of traveling with a toddler especially the one about interacting with locals. When you’re traveling as a family if forces you to slow down. We’ve often found our best memories are when we take the time to sit and watch what is happening around us.
Mary @Green Global Travel recently posted..PHOTO GALLERY: The Ansel Adams Wilderness by NatGeo’s Peter Essick
I love the photo of you all at the at the pool at Terre Blanche in Provence. Your little guy looks so happy!
Micki recently posted..Planning To Travel When You Retire? Here Are 10 Good Reasons Not To Wait
Great reasons, and all true, as I recall — especially being forced to slow down and, yes, do less. That can be a very good thing.
Terry at Overnight New York recently posted..Wythe Hotel: Brooklyn Film Festival
You are so right! I´m a portuguese mom and me and my hunsband did a lot of travels before we have our daughter, My friends used to tell me “well, long trips are over for you now”, such a lie! After she was born we did a big trip through england and norway when she was 11 months. We also went trhough some portugueses cities by train. And now she is 2 years old I´m wondering where to go 🙂 Some suggestion? We plan to have a trip in November.
Forgot to say: i love to travel with my baby! she makes all better. yes we have more trouble, we do not rest as we should in a holidays, but its also fun! And I couldnt imagine leave her behind!
Oh I love Portugal! Lucky you! November is a tricky time of year because of the weather… How about coming to NYC for Thanksgiving and seeing The Macy’s Day Parade? You could do a NYC and Washington, DC, trip. Or how about Turkey?
All great tips!! Funny I read this post today; lol we had a pregnancy scare yesterday and I was imagining all the different ways my travel habits would change with a toddler. You make some convincing points as to why it would be fine!
Meg @ Mapping Megan recently posted..5 More Mouth-Watering Korean Foods to Try
Funnily enough I just interviewed a mum for my ‘outdoor families’ blogpost & she mentioned the same thing – how so many more doors are opened up when you travel with children. More so than if you are travelling solo or as a couple.
Great points
Kate (@AdventureMumma) recently posted..Port Douglas Cruises â 5 Things kids will love about this Boat!