Expedia travel tips for families

Driving

• Plan in advance; if your route takes you anywhere unfamiliar, write it out prior to getting into your car. Outline key instructions and directions, and perhaps highlight your route on a road atlas or map.
• Take the high road; it’s worth travelling on motorways, or at least faster roads, when possible. It will shorten your journey, reduce the likelihood of travel sickness, and allow you to make strategic stops at service stations for nappy-changing and leg-stretching.
• Keep your children in the picture; if you know roughly how long your journey will take, tell the kids. This will give them an idea of how much time they’ll spend in the car, and might just decrease any restlessness!
• Stay in contact; whether your route is long or short, take your mobile phone. It will boost your confidence, and allow others to reach you in any emergencies.
• Empty roads are safer roads; if you feel confident travelling at night or in early morning, you’ll find the roads emptier, and your children might sleep through some of the journey.
• Games are good; if you are travelling with a driver and an adult passenger, you’ll be able to play games without distracting the driver. Games such as ‘I Spy’ will keep your children engaged, less restless, and less likely to experience travel sickness.
• Don’t make it a marathon; getting there quickly is great, but don’t run yourself or your children into the ground to do it. Regular breaks will allow you or your driving companion to rest your eyes, and enable older children to stretch their legs and take a loo stop.
• Keep your young ones entertained; if the children are finding it a long journey, chances are you’ll find it even longer. You can make an adventure out of it by taking paper and crayons, mobiles (for babies), snacks and drinks (lower sugar should mean lower hyperactivity!), and playing music and audio tapes/CDs.