Traveling Responsibly with Kids

When traveling with the whole family, especially if it’s the kids’ first foreign trip, your first thought may be to take them to all the famous sights and cities.

But does your family really need to wait in line for the perfect selfie? Maybe you could spend that time in a local market or strolling through a village or neighborhood where you’ll meet local people, not other tourists. That’s what your kids will remember, not standing in line for a picture.

If it’s bragging rights your family wants, think how much fun you’ll have when asked about some famous attraction and you can say “We skipped going there, and went to a beautiful town the locals told us about, where we were the only foreigners.”

Where to Go
Think about the stress over-tourism places on iconic sights and their communities. The “hot” European cities are suffering from over-popularity to the point where several — Venice and Barcelona among them — have imposed tourist limits to prevent further degradation of their most famous monuments caused by crowds of tourists. The thrill and wonder of seeing these cities are often lost in the crush of other tourists.

Instead of these, choose smaller cities for more charm and fewer crowds: Evora instead of Lisbon, Cordoba instead of Madrid, Verona instead of Venice, Lucca instead of Florence, for example. These cities all have eye-popping sights and experiences you can enjoy with fewer crowds.

Where to Stay
If kids are really set on seeing the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum, choose a neighborhood out of the tourist path. For example, in Rome, the Monti neighborhood offers locally owned small hotels within a 20- to 30-minute walk from the Forum, Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. Staying in locally owned hotels supports the local economy and gives your family a more personal experience than look-alike international chains do. You’ll be surrounded by neighborhood restaurants and shops, too.

Or choose a small town nearby for lodging and take local transport into the city for sightseeing. Return for the evening and dinner for a more local experience and less-crowded dining options.

What to Buy
Spending time in smaller cities makes it easier to contribute to the local economy by shopping in markets and small shops. Buy from local craftspeople instead of tourist shops. Instead of t-shirts, encourage your kids to choose souvenirs that speak of the destination. For gifts to take home, look for traditional crafts or the work of local artists. Kids can meet the artists and artisans themselves at street fairs and markets where local people shop.

It’s never too early for kids to learn how to travel responsibly. Avoiding over-touristed bucket-list sites or Instagram favorites for more authentic local experiences is not only better for the places you visit but also gives your family a more spontaneous and memorable trip.