I'm a travel advisor who works with families planning European vacations. There are 4 mistakes my clients always make.

"As a travel advisor who works with families and specializes in trips to Europe, I've seen and helped parents through it all, from passports and packing lists to missed trains and jet lag. Hiccups are unavoidable, especially when traveling with young kids and navigating numerous people's needs. I've even encountered snags on my own trips, too. (I'll never forget when I arrived in Paris just in time for a metro strike.)"

"Many of my clients try to see too many cities in one trip. It's hard not to take a "when in Rome ... and Paris, and Amsterdam" approach, especially when Europe's train system makes it so easy to hop from one place to the next. However, I've learned firsthand that visiting too many destinations on a 10-day or two-week trip can lead to burnout. Many people forget how much work it takes to relocate, especially if you're traveling with kids. Repacking your suitcases, figuring out logistics, and trying to move a group with luggage all take more time than you might predict. I always tell my clients to set aside a full day for relocating to a new city, just in case they encounter some unexpected snags. That doesn't mean you have to stick to your city's limits, though - checking out nearby towns and villages can be a more time-effective (and cost-effective) way to explore Europe."

"Families also try to schedule too many activities per day. When in Europe, it can be so tempting to jam-pack your days with activities - after all, you just want to make the most of your trip. Cramming too much into a day can lead to unnecessary stress and exhaustion, though, especially if you're also navigating a new language and environment. I always encourage families to plan just one or two meaningful activities per day and build in free time to return to the hotel, wander without an agenda, or simply rest. Young kids, in particular, usu"

Hiccups are common when traveling with families, including passport issues, packing challenges, missed trains and jet lag. Attempting to visit too many cities on a short trip often causes burnout due to frequent relocations, repacking, and logistical complications, particularly with children. Allocating a full day for moving between cities reduces stress. Exploring nearby towns and villages provides time- and cost-efficient alternatives to constant city hopping. Overloaded daily schedules create exhaustion; planning one or two meaningful activities per day while including unstructured free time, hotel breaks, and rest supports a smoother, more enjoyable family trip.

Read at Business Insider