Reflections on EuroTrip 2022:
After 7 weeks of travel, Dave has a greater understanding of why his parents did family vacations at Hawaiian resorts. 😉 Moving cities, adjusting to new spaces, languages, customs, etc. is difficult for most travelers, but amplified when you have a little guy who relies on routine and predictability in his days. Although this kind of travel can be exciting, invigorating, and beautiful, as the adage goes, it’s a trip, not a vacation. 😆
#1: How glorious it is not to need a car. We enjoyed the ease and efficiency of public transportation, and well-connected, thoughtful bike lanes, in most cities. Coming from LA, this is a marvel.
#2: Impressed with the playground scenes and amenities, especially in Switzerland and Germany. In safe cities where people leave their toys in the sand, this was a real treat.
#3: Variability of Airbnb/VRBO experiences, despite extensive research to book higher-end, family-friendly places that fit our needs. On the one hand Munich and Zürich were so terrific we would have lived in them long-term. On the other hand, Nuremberg and Venice didn’t quite hit the mark.
#4: We couldn’t wrap our heads around the ubiquitousness of smoking in Europe, still! It remains common at outdoor dining and very noticeable across all ages. We spent a lot of time trying to avoid it. Particularly alarming was the incidence of parents and caregivers smoking right in front of babies and children.
#5: Why are there no screens on windows? You have to keep them open for air flow when most places lack AC, but there are also bugs flying in and out. 🤔
#6: Other than Switzerland, very affordable to eat, drink, and explore (this also coincided with favorable Euro exchange rates). Great dinners in most cities for less than 40 euro, including alcohol.
#7: With this kind of travel, flexibility is key. Slowing down for playground breaks and more casual dining settings. Generous use of babysitters (planning and vetting needed, it’s time-consuming but worth it – Babysits app and family travel online group recs FTW!). Finally, as essential as our travel stroller was for this trip, Jacob is now even more resistant to walking.🤦♀️
