Travelling with children: why shared adventures are so much more than just a holiday

By Jeff, Family Travel Lover

Travelling with children raises many questions for parents.
Isn’t it exhausting? Too stressful? Too complicated?
For me, it’s exactly the opposite.

I travel a lot with my family – with my wife, our five-year-old child and our youngest, who is 14 months old. And every time, I realise once again: travelling with children is not a sacrifice, but a gain. It means discovering the world together – and seeing it anew through the eyes of your children.

Discovering the world – together

When we travel, it’s not just about visiting new places. It’s about showing our children, from an early age, how diverse this world is: different cultures, different people, different ways of life. These experiences broaden their horizons – and mine as well.

Travelling as a family is also pure quality time for us. Away from everyday life, away from to-do lists, cooking, tidying up and appointments. On the road, we are more present with each other, we spend meaningful time together and create memories that last. It’s exactly this closeness that makes family travel so special to me.

Long-haul travel with children? Absolutely!

Many parents hesitate when it comes to long-haul travel with children. The flight is too long, the organisation too demanding, the uncertainty too great. I completely understand these concerns – I had them myself.

But my experience has been very different: children are incredibly adaptable. Often even more flexible than we adults are. You don’t need to plan everything perfectly – it’s about staying open, finding your own rhythm and accepting that not every moment will run smoothly.

And honestly: no one later remembers a tiring flight or a few sleepless nights. What stays with you are the shared experiences, the laughter, the special moments – and those are truly priceless.

Our favourite family destinations

One of our absolute highlights as a family was Australia. Its relaxed lifestyle, the open-minded attitude of the people and the stunning beaches make it a perfect destination for travelling with children. You feel welcome straight away – and children sense that too.

Thailand, and Asia in general, also left a lasting impression on us. The incredible child-friendliness is something you have to experience to truly understand. Despite language barriers, people are warm, open and always willing to help. I still vividly remember waiters in Thailand spontaneously picking up our six-month-old son – simply to give us a short break or to make him smile. This genuine warmth makes travelling in Asia especially meaningful for families.

Adventure and relaxation – not a contradiction

Finding the right balance between exploration and downtime is essential when travelling with children. For us, a clear daily rhythm works best:
in the morning, when the children are rested and curious, we plan sightseeing or excursions. The afternoons belong to the kids – beach, pool, playground, time to burn off energy.

This way, both our interests as parents and the needs of our children are met. The day doesn’t feel like a compromise, but like a shared experience.

Making long flights and road trips work smoothly

Even long flights can be enjoyable – with the right mindset. Variety is key: drawing, small games, snacks, movement breaks and, from time to time, a bit of screen time. Our children are very different, and we adapt to each of them.

What I’ve learned: parents’ calmness transfers directly to their children. Taking a deep breath, staying flexible and keeping a sense of humour makes everything easier.

Why travelling routes with children are so valuable

Of course, beaches and hotel pools are wonderful. But a multi-stop journey creates memories that last. Our daughter still talks about kangaroos in Australia, temples, hikes and special encounters – experiences no all-inclusive resort could ever replace.

Travelling together means spending intense time as a family. Small mishaps are part of the journey – and often become the best stories later on. Children adapt surprisingly quickly to new routines when they feel trusted and when parents stay relaxed.

Travel broadens horizons – especially when experienced first-hand

It’s incredibly important to me that our children experience different ways of life, cultures and nature up close. Not from books or screens, but in real life. They learn how different everyday life can be in other countries and develop openness, curiosity and respect.

For us as parents, it’s just as enriching: we rediscover the world through our children’s eyes, notice new details and share moments that bring us closer together as a family.

Our family bucket list

Next on our list are Saudi Arabia, Zanzibar and our absolute dream destination: Tahiti.
The idea for Tahiti actually came from our daughter – inspired by the movie Moana. And we thought: why not discover the world that fascinates her so much?