Hi friends,
Our family got to enjoy some snow right in our own backyard last month! Snow and ice in Atlanta are always a bit unpredictable — it’s hard to know how much will actually fall — but our kids were thrilled to finally have enough to play in. They lasted about 10 minutes before we all agreed… we’re probably not a cold-weather family 🙃 It got me even more excited to get started on our warm weather travels.
Baby girls first snow
Planning Future Family Trips: Our Key Steps
I’m deep in the planning phase for our upcoming family travels—comparing options, checking calendars, and juggling a million tiny decisions. Decision fatigue is real, so I’ve been focusing on breaking trip planning into simple, manageable steps. In my last newsletter, I shared ideas for places to visit during school breaks. Today, I’m sharing my go-to method for keeping travel planning structured—and my sanity intact.
“My 15-Minute Family Trip Planning Starter”
1. Select a destination – Pick a place that excites your whole family.
2. Pick travel dates – Start with the school calendar, then factor in extracurriculars, social events, and work schedules.
3. Set a max budget for transit and lodging – Here’s my [budget checklist].
4. Decide between hotel vs. apart-hotel – Read below for my thoughts on our top choices.
5. Plan your itinerary – Choose one “anchor activity” per day and leave one time block unscheduled. Always plan around your kids’ meal and nap schedules.
Magical European Summer Destination - Lake Bled, Slovenia
One of my favorite family travel habits is building a dream list of experiences — and a lake day at Lake Bled, Slovenia quickly became a forever favorite. Lake Bled is very child-friendly thanks to its flat, stroller-friendly walking path around the lake, calm shallow swimming areas, and plenty of open green space for kids to roam safely. Everything is walkable — cafés, playgrounds, boat rentals, and bathrooms — which makes it easy to enjoy without overplanning or long transitions.
I shared how we spent the day at Lake Bled in my post here. We added this spot into in our bigger trip of Budapest and Munich - and so glad we did
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled, Slovenia
The Secret to Stress-Free Family Trips? Your Lodging Choice
One thing I’ve learned traveling with kids: where you stay sets the tone for the entire trip. The right lodging can make days feel smoother, calmer, and far more enjoyable — especially with little ones. When it comes to accommodations, I almost always fall into one of two camps:
Chain hotels (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton)
These are my go-to when we want predictability and perks. Rewards points can add up quickly, rooms are reliably set up for families, and things like elevators, front desks, and daily housekeeping can make travel days feel easier.Apart-hotels
An apart-hotel gives you apartment-style space and amenities—like a kitchen and living area—plus the perks of a hotel, like housekeeping and a front desk. We often get more room to spread out, plus kid-saving amenities like a kitchen or in-unit laundry. They’re frequently more cost-effective for longer stays and help keep routines intact (hello, simple breakfasts and early bedtimes). Here is a post on my favorite features.
Search and book family-friendly stays here: Booking.com – my go-to for flexible options and family accommodations. I always check for at least a “Very Good” and above rating and read through the guest reviews regarding cleanliness, food, kid-friendly amenities, and walkability.
How We plan Days That Actually Work With Kids
I try not to overpack our days, but a loose plan keeps stress low. Here’s how I map out a family-friendly itinerary:
Flexible Schedule: Keep kids’ meal and nap times close to home routines. Plan one activity before or after naps and leave extra time to explore at a relaxed pace. I have my tips on managing the schedule in this post here.
Activities: Pick one “anchor” activity per day. Rather than doing all the research yourself, I like to refer to tools like GetYourGuide or Viator to book the activities. I make sure to check ratings, read reviews, and clarify refund or cancellation policies.
Meals/Restaurants: Check TripAdvisor for kid-friendly menus near your hotel or activities. Plans can change, but having options in advance makes life easier.
Travel Smarter: Must-Have Gear for Families on the Go
From travel essentials to kid-specific gear, having the right items makes a huge difference. Yes, it is optimal to travel with minimal items - but the right items truly enhance the trip. I keep a running list of things we actually use and love—tested on real trips with real kids. My favorite travel gear are here on My Amazon Shop – travel-tested favorites.
Copenhagen, Denmark & my favorite kids smocks to protect their cute vaca outfits
Capture Your Family Vacation Without the Selfie Struggle
One thing I’ve learned over the years? Photoshoots are worth the investment. Booking a short family photoshoot while traveling lets us capture memories together—without relying on selfies or asking strangers. I have a list of different sources we have used for our photoshoots while traveling, consolidated here.
👉 Book a family photoshoot anywhere in the world:
[Flytographer – professional photographers in top destinations; use discount code: SHAINAAZAM] - This is an easy one to book and use and the quality is vouched for!
Puglia, Italy
What’s Next?
Many readers ask how they can support the newsletter. The easiest way? If you enjoy the content and know other parents who love family travel, please forward this along 🙂 And as always, feel free to follow me on Instagram for live updates.
Happy travels!
— Shaina
