Plan first international trip with kids

[Anonymous]

I live in dmv area, and my kids have not flied outside of country. For their first international trip, I vote for Asia and DH vote for Europe. DH wants to do England, France, ireland or italy. Kids are 8 and 5. Considering time zone adjustment, food, culture, language and entertainment, which one is kid friendly and fun for kids for 1 week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in dmv area, and my kids have not flied outside of country. For their first international trip, I vote for Asia and DH vote for Europe. DH wants to do England, France, ireland or italy. Kids are 8 and 5. Considering time zone adjustment, food, culture, language and entertainment, which one is kid friendly and fun for kids for 1 week?

I think you can’t go wrong Europe or Asia…so many great possibilities. Id do something easy-ish (not too far to fly) like London, Paris, or Rome.

[Anonymous]

Europe of course, because it’s so much closer, easy to travel.

[Anonymous]

Europe is much better for time zone, travel time and familiarity from a US perspective (many people speaking English, familiar foods kids will eat, etc.). For a first international trip I would go with Europe. Of those options, Ireland is probably the easiest with kids. Incredibly kid-friendly. Italy is probably second. UK is easy enough but it's basically another America in many ways; I'd rather go somewhere that's just a little different. France is also good for kids I have heard, good playgrounds.

[Anonymous]

I would not go to Asia for just one week. If that's the time frame you are working with, then definitely Europe.

[Anonymous]

For one week, and for the kids first time out of the country, definitely Europe. Asia is too far for just a week, and it’s much more of a culture shock for kids who have never left America. London and Paris are great places to visit with kids!

[Anonymous]

We have close relatives in Europe and Asia, and have traveled since the kids were toddlers. I never go for less than 2 weeks, unless it's an emergency like a funeral. I know I can travel to Europe and be relatively fine even if it's just a week, but it's really not as enjoyable. And there is NO WAY you should go to Asia for a week: you'll spend the entire time getting over jet lag.

Also consider breaking your journey in Iceland when to travel to Europe. You can spend a few days there and enjoy the sights, especially on a summer trip.

[Anonymous]

For one week you do not have enough time to travel to Asia! Travel alone is 2 days, jet lag is serious, and will knock out at least one day. With kids that sounds like a nightmare. Also, if you're kids are not used to long-haul travel putting them on a 13+hour flight will be extremely challenging. Europe all the way.

[Anonymous]

*your!

[Anonymous]

Europe since you don’t have enough time for Asia. I’d do London, Ireland (such a great country to drive and explore), or France.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Europe of course, because it’s so much closer, easy to travel.

+100. I can't imagine 5 and 8 on first international trip ever doing Asia with only one week. That's a grind even for adults between travel time and jet lag. It's their first experience out of the country, it should be a positive one. W. Europe all the way.

[Anonymous]

Yeah europe is the right call. It’s a doable “long” flight for kids not used to being on planes at all or for very long, and it’s international travel but on “easy” mode. Asia is significantly more difficult in terms of travel and adapting to a very different culture once there. I think an easy (simplified) progression to acclimate kids to travel outside the US is Mexico/Caribbean —> Western Europe —> Eastern Europe —> Asia

[Anonymous]

At 5 and 8, go to London or Paris. They will love all the playgrounds and parks.

[Anonymous]

Europe is the best call. Shorter flight, easier adjustment to the time change. Not even a question.

[Anonymous]

If you really want to go to Asia pick one city (I would pick Kyoto). Only you know how your kids would do with the long travel and time change, but my kids’ first international trip was to Asia (to visit family) and they were totally fine. They slept on the plane and just woke up early for the first couple of days we were there. I actually think young kids adjust the easiest.