Blog 3 of Top 25 Travel Blogs by Parents

Favorite Blog Posts

• The Evolution of the Greek Backside
• The Power of a Parade
• See Turtles

One Of The Funniest Experiences I've Had Traveling With Kids

On a trip to Athens, airport delays dictated that we arrived way after dark. We hoped that our late arrival would not be too problematic. Wrong. We could easily see the lights of our hotel.  But, as we looped under the overpass, we would pass the hotel on the other side and head off in the opposite direction while watching our hotel disappear in the rear-view mirror. More than once we tried to make the loop with no luck. Gary and I were discussing (read: yelling) about which way we should go next as we pulled up to a familiar corner. “Why don’t you stop and ask those people,” says a little voice from the back. Standing on the corner were two professional women. In order to make their availability quite clear, they were beckoning to us to come closer in such a way that made their occupation unquestionable. “Do you think they are cold?” asked a practical little voice from the back. “If you go to sleep, I’ll pay you $5,” I begged, hoping that the questioning would stop. I slumped down in my seat, and implored Gary to please drive faster. He was inappropriately amused at my discomfort with our situation. Having been a traveler all his life, he had been exposed to all varieties of corruption, so he was unabashed. It seems impossible, but it took us three more loops around the hotel before we finally found the secret entrance.  Each time we passed the ladies on the corner, although by the third time around we had revealed ourselves as stupid lost tourists and not interested customers. Honestly, if I had thought they spoke any English, we would have taken the little boy advice and asked them for directions.

A Piece Of Travel Advice For Moms

Just do it. As moms we are so prone to analyze and over think every decision and every detail of our children's life. When it comes to traveling with kids, there are plenty of good excuses that we can rattle off to keep us at home. It's too hard.  We're too busy. They're too young. And while those are all probably true, they are still just excuses that hold us back from something great. The best part of parenting is seizing the moment, and those moments happen every minute when you have the courage to pack your bags and your stroller and hit the road.  Don't miss those moments waiting for "someday." Do it today.

Where I'd Go If I Could Take My Kids Anywhere In The World

I suppose it would be cheating to say that I would like to take them everywhere, but it really is hard to choose just one place.  If I had to choose right this minute, I would choose Legoland.  I know it's not exotic or deeply meaningful, but they would love every minute of it.  They are all at an age where they are so into Legos and would immerse themselves in every aspect of the park.  Sometimes I feel sorry for them that they have parents who drag them to places like Greece and Amsterdam.  It would be great for them to get to go on a vacation that was tailored around their interests.