Travelling with children: A few tips from Courtika VP Caroline Fauteux

Here are her best tips for making family vacations easy and enjoyable.

Where did your three sons go with you on your trips?

“We started with trailer camping trips in Quebec and the United States. Then we went to New York for several days, before taking the all-inclusive approach in the south for a few years. We then ventured into Western Canada, where we rented a car. More recently, we went to Europe for two and a half weeks. In all, we’ve travelled a good dozen times as a family, and we fully intend to head off again next summer!”

How do you choose your destinations?

“I often draw on the experiences of the people around me. I also involve the children in the choices. For example, our trip to Europe was the result of schoolwork done by my youngest children, where they had to imagine their dream trip: they wanted to see Paris and Barcelona, so we granted them their wish!”

What’s the biggest challenge when travelling with three children?

“The hardest part is satisfying everyone. Children and parents both need to have fun. And because our youngest and oldest boys are six years apart, they don’t have the same capabilities and interests, which sometimes complicates things!”

What are the kinds of things you consider when planning a trip?

“I first think about what we want to see or do. I make sure there’s a balance between cultural activities, sports and relaxation. When these aspects are well balanced and we’ve decided on a destination, we buy the plane tickets and then book our accommodation.”

Do you organize each trip in detail before you leave?

“Yes, we do fairly detailed planning, especially if we have to travel from one place to another. We make up a schedule for each day’s activities, accommodation and transportation. That’s how we ensure that travel and activities are evenly distributed throughout the trip. I believe that this is the key to a successful holiday with children. Nobody enjoys a 3,000-kilometre road trip in three days. But if the same distance is spread over 16 days, the trip generally goes better.

‘I also prepare a list of things to bring. During the trip, I keep all our family’s passports in my bag and all our booking documents in a pouch.’

What are the essentials to take with you when travelling with children?

‘I always have water with me, as well as snacks like chewy granola bars. I also pack sunscreen and a first-aid kit, as well as sunglasses, a cap and rainwear for everyone. When the boys were little, a stroller or baby carrier was obviously essential as well.’

How do you manage the days during the trip?

‘I plan according to our interests. When we’re on vacation, we don’t like to get up early every day. We divide up travelling and activities: some days are very busy, and the next are less so, which allows us to recover. I also try to stick as much as possible to a regular schedule for children’s meals and bedtime.’

What are your best tips for a successful family trip?

‘For us, it’s very important to find accommodation that really meets all our needs. For example, I always choose condos where we each have our own bed and where the common areas are separate from the bedrooms. In this way, we all have our privacy and can enjoy a good night’s sleep. The trip is really much more enjoyable when everyone is well rested!

“It’s worth organizing and planning the trip before you leave. With children, you don’t want to risk waiting until after dark to look for accommodation. This lets you leave with peace of mind because you never know what can happen. It’s also better to have comprehensive travel insurance so that you’re ready for any contingency.”

If, like Caroline and her family, you have a vacation on the horizon, don’t hesitate to contact one of our brokers, so they can offer you personalized travel insurance that will perfectly match your needs. And by following the tips of an experienced mom like Caroline, you’ll be sure to have a great time with your family!