As any parent will testify, as soon as little people come along into our lives those relaxing sightseeing trips tend to come to an end. Or, if you do take the plunge and opt to go one, it would be fair to say that they are drama-filled – and the enjoyment-factor can be stripped away.

Unfortunately, like it or not, a lot of sightseeing attractions just aren’t going to tickle children’s fancy’s. However, in a bid to at least see a few during parenthood, we have penned the following guide which shows some of the best tips to adopt during your trips.

Choose strategically

Whether you are staying in Blackpool or Bournemouth, you will always have a wealth of different attractions in the vicinity. Of course, some of these attractions are more child-friendly than others.

As we have already alluded to, children in general don’t like sightseeing. There are some attractions which are more appropriate for them than others though. For example, an art gallery and a sculpture park might both be focussed upon art, but the latter at least allows children to roam around and enjoy themselves in the Great Outdoors. It’s a little more versatile so to speak, and that’s what you need to look out for as you choose your sightseeing attraction.

Timing is key

As well as choosing what to visit, choosing when to visit is just as important. There are a couple of ways of looking at this. The first relates to the best time for your child. If they are still having afternoon naps (or morning naps, if they are that way inclined), then it stands to reason that these are the periods where you most definitely don’t want to visit.

At the same time, rush hour is a definite no-go area as well. The reasons for this should be clear for all to see; there are less options at peak times, while most kids tend to be at their worst in crowded places.

We should also add a point about the Monday-factor. This is the day where a lot of museums around the world happen to be closed, and the last thing you want to be doing is planning your day around this only to be hit by a giant closed sign.

Travel at their pace

Even though a lot of sightseeing attractions might not be solely targeting children, they will find many elements of them interesting. This is something that you need to take full advantage of. If they are seemingly intrigued by a section of the museum or your destination of choice, travel at their pace and let them enjoy it. Don’t drag them around looking at the things that are only of interest to you; it’s only going to spell disaster for the day.

The flexibility factor

Finally, don’t be afraid of being flexible. In other words, if you spot a cafe halfway around the attraction, take advantage and give everyone a break. At the same time, don’t expect to stick to a rigid itinerary. You can have the best intentions in the world when it comes to these attractions, but with kids alongside you things might not always go to plan and you may have to adapt.

When you’re a traveler, you focus on doing the things you’re passionate about and experiencing new things at every turn.

But when you have kids, a lot of that travel enthusiasm can seem to go by the wayside. If that rings true to you, then there are steps you can take to get back in the travel groove, even with kids by your side (or hanging off your arms).

That’s not to say that traveling with kids is easy — no one who has done it would claim that. But traveling with kids can still be fun, it just takes a hefty amount of preparation and a healthy reevaluating of expectations.

Here are a couple tips when you’re thinking about getting your feet wet with a weekend getaway — with kids.

Plan events ahead of time

Just because you’re towing a couple of kids along doesn’t mean that you should hole up in a hotel room and watch cartoons all weekend.

Plan a couple of kid-friendly events and activities in your destination area, so that you and the kids have things to look forward to.

The ideal activity for any kid (and any person, really) is an event that combines something they’re passionate about with something they’ve never experienced before. For instance, a kid who loves crafting and building things could be taken to a pottery class. They’ll get to try something new, while staying rooted in a passion you already know they have.

Bring your own entertainment

Especially with children who are young enough to be unpredictable in public, travel with an army of games, puzzles, coloring books, and whatever else your children like to spend their time with.

Even short car and plane rides can quickly become tedious for active children, so entertainment is absolutely key. For maximum impact, pack all the entertainment into one large tote bag that you can keep within easy reach at all times.

Also bring your own snacks

Kids, like everyone else, get hangry, and that should be avoided at all costs. Encourage the kids to try new foods, but also come stocked with some basic snacks to hold them through long lines and long restaurant waits.

For plane travel, this is extra important, as eating food can help to “pop” the ears of young children when the plane changes altitude. This can prevent tantrums and scream-crying, which everyone on the plane will thank you for.

Be flexible.

Let me say that again — be flexible, be very flexible. A seasoned traveler already knows that travel rarely goes as planned. With kids, those stakes are raised even higher: travel never goes as planned.

This doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, but it does mean that you’ll have to be willing to change plans on the fly to accommodate a tired child, or a hungry child, or a child who really hates ferris wheels a lot more than you expected.

But, with some flexibility and a whole lot of preparation, you can still plan a fun weekend away with kids — and as you go, you’ll become even more confident in your ability to plan longer and riskier trips together.

International travel is something everyone must do at least once. You’ll have the chance to experience a different culture and see some of the world’s most beautiful structures and scenery. The hardest part is setting up your schedule so that you can see what you want without struggling to get through an itinerary. Fortunately, there are plenty of travel guides and tours around the world to simplify your travel plans. Companies like Tourme, will make sure that you enjoy your trip, see what you want, and experience new cultures on a personal level. Here are a few tips for finding the right tour or guide and doing it on a budget.

It Can Be A Money Saver

While visiting your dream country or dream city, you may have a list of things you want to see and do. The great thing about working with a tour is that you can often combine those things into one trip and save money. When you consider that many sites require an entrance fee, paying that fee every time you go somewhere can rack up your fees and cause you an extra headache. Those same sites will work with touring companies, offer discounts, and you can pay for it all up front and relax on your trip. Touring companies can also find you discounts on lodging, airfare, and transportation.

Look For The Culture

Our top recommendation when it comes to working with a tour group or a guide is to find one that is local. Some of the international tour companies hire people to take you to all the tourist traps. Touristy spots can be fun, but you miss out on so much culture and authenticity. When reviewing guides and tours, ask about the location of their home base and if they employ locals. This becomes important because the locals know where the best places are to eat the local food. They know all the history that they can pass on to you without sounding like an encyclopedia. These sorts of tour companies also avoid the overly touristy spots so they can show you the “real” history and beauty of the area. Without them, you might not ever find the ruins hidden in Sri Lanka. Without them, you may not get to see the cemetery that is home to famous leaders of yesteryear.  Locals also know when the best time to visit the area is. Homegrown tour groups and guides are your best bet!

Visit In The Off-Season

One of the best ways to enjoy a tour is to go in the off-season. Yes, you can save money on your trip by doing so. The other benefit is that you can most of the sites will have smaller crowds. Although some sites are busy every day of the year, they have days in which it is better to go than others. It could be that a cold and rainy day is the day a castle sees foot traffic and the rainy season might be your best bet. Other times of the year are so slow for some places, so deep discounts can be found for every aspect of your trip. The off-season also means you will have your pick of the tour guides so you can find one you really like, rather than the one who happens to be available when you are there.

Tours and guides are a perfect way to make your trip the most memorable it can be. You may even make a new friend that you can stay in touch with and have a reason to back for another visit.