It’s summer time. Glorious sunshine, decadent chocolate gelato, and travel.   This is the time when your friends without kids post photos of parties in Ibiza, villas in Croatia, and beaches in Bali. Every shot looks like a Kodak moment and everybody looks totally and utterly relaxed.

Many people with young children tell me about the places they would like to visit but end their sentences with “when the kids are older” or “when I can leave them with my parents.”

I think that’s the wrong approach. If you have young children travel, travel, travel. Take them along but be smart about planning your trip.

My husband and I traveled to London this summer with our two children, both who are under four, for two weeks. Though I’ve traveled with Zain, my older one, many times, this was the first time we were traveling with two, and we weren’t sure how relaxing it was actually going to be. It turned out to be a terrific trip and we came back having explored the city but also getting some much needed time to relax and unwind.

There were a few places we wanted to show the kids but for the most part we avoided the touristy sites.  We knew that standing in lines was going to be miserable for everyone so we walked around neighborhoods, had delicious scones at cafes, and picnicked in many of the beautiful parks the city had to offer.

Here are a few things that helped us enjoy our vacation.

Pick one or two places to travel to

If you’re traveling with young children pick one or two places to visit so you can spend a significant amount of time there. Save the five country Europe trip for another time!

Go for a significant amount of time

As a rule of thumb if you travel far try to go for at least a week and if possible longer. Otherwise by the time the over their kids are jetlag and ready to explore it will be time to head back.

 Stay somewhere that has a kitchen

Airbnb has made this option much more viable. Having a place where you can have breakfast or prep the kids’ food makes life much easier.

Plan things that you enjoy but make sure there is something for the children as well.

I enjoy walking around areas and exploring neighborhoods when I travel. Sometimes Zain gets tired so before we head out we make sure to look up an ice cream shop or scout out a park nearby to incentivize him.  Other times I’m in the mood to shop so we find a toy section in the department store we’re in or a toy store nearby where the kids will also be entertained.

Manage your expectations

Pre-kids I would have probably gone out for some nice dinners in the evenings and met up with friends on vacation. With the baby, we knew that after a full day out, we would be home in the evenings. We were able to catch up with friends and cousins during the day or over the weekends and enjoyed some nice lunches out.

Enjoy seeing things through your children’s eyes

Traveling with kids may have some limitations but it also brings enjoyment that you haven’t previously experienced. Seeing Zain’s excitement when he was riding in the double decker, going on the tube, eating that huge chocolate ice cream in the park, was a joy for us to see.

All in all it’s been a good summer; glorious sunshine, delicious gelato, and travel. Three for three…