When I told my husband the topic of my next blog, “Travelling With Teenagers,” he had one piece of advice: “Don’t do it!” Over the last 5 years, we have gone on several family road trips—Florida, Canadian East Coast, and a 2-week road trip through Europe—and we truly are the Griswolds, as these trips entail piling 3 kids into a Grand Caravan and driving 5,000 kms. Not everyone's idea of fun. I should probably start calling my husband Clark, as he even has a passion for huge Christmas trees!
Here are my top 10 tips for travelling with teenagers:
To avoid bickering, feed teenagers regularly to keep their blood sugar levels up.
Portable electronics are your friend: portable DVD players, iPods, Nintendo DS, etc. Not needed all the time, but a great way for teenagers to pass some time when boredom sets in.
Start driving early in the morning, and serve a healthy breakfast in the car . . . then let them nap.
Try not to drive more than 6 hours a day. Allow a few extra days of travel time, and have fun while getting to your destination.
Make at least one interesting stop a day. Do your research ahead of time.
Involve the teens in the travel plans. Have them participate in the research prior to the trip. Ask them what interests them, and have them be the tour guide for the day. Our trip to Europe involved each kid picking a city of interest. As we entered each city, the tour guide of the day took over and provided interesting facts and a list of must-see attractions.
Mix it up! Stay in hotels, rent cottages, camp, all in the same trip. It adds to the experience and makes the trip seem a lot longer.
Immerse yourself in the culture and the language. If your trip involves going somewhere where English is not the main language, encourage your teenagers to learn a few simple phrases.
Buy journals for everyone prior to the trip. A simple paragraph on what was “cool” about the day, along with an interesting postcard or brochure, will create a keepsake that will last for years!
With hotel accommodations, adjoining rooms are heavenly—providing some quiet time to yourselves. Believe me, your teenagers need a break from you, too!
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