Travelling To The Spectacular Loire Valley in France with a Family - Some Valuable Time Saving and Sanity Saving Tips

Today, the Val de Loire lures tourists to explore the splendid French countryside with its historic chateaux and to enjoy some of the best food and wines in the world. You too can live like a king enjoying some of that lavish style by unwinding in a castle rented exclusively for a holiday with friends and family or for just a long weekend.

Easter and Summer are just around the corner. This is the prime time of year for family holidays. Going on holiday with children can be a bit stressful and test your patience.

Here are some simple tips to help make your family vacation relaxing and full of wonderful memories for you to cherish for a lifetime.

Pack Properly

Children should pack or help pack some of their own things, depending upon how old they are of course. Make sure you check what your kids have packed if they have packed their own things. I have personally learnt this the hard way. I ignorantly thought I would empower my 9 year old by having her pack her own luggage for an Easter trip to Spain years ago. Things got a little hectic before we left and I did not check her little carry-on suitcase.

I asked her if she had packed clothes for warmer weather and she responded that she had. She had packed one t-shirt and a suitcase full of stuffed toys. No shoes, no trousers, no knickers, no pyjamas, no skirts. Only one t-shirt and a toothbrush. So much for having your kids appreciate cause and effect. Much to her delight and my chagrin, we had no choice but to spend a day shopping for clothes for her.

So you should be incredibly specificic about what type of clothes and how many you should tell your children to pack. Pack appropriate clothing for where you are going. Check the internet for expected weather conditions.

I pack a plastic bag for each person for separating dirty clothes to bring home for laundering. Tissues, sweeties for chewing when cabin pressure changes, at least one electronic toy with spare batteries, colouring-in pencils and a notepad,, a book and a surprise are worth packing in each child's carry on bag. If you have a baby do not forget the dummy and some spares if you use them.

Arrive Early at the Airport

Today security at airports takes forever and is a complete disaster. Arrive at the airport early at allow you and your family plenty of time to check in, and hopefully get a seat allocation together. Once you are through security let your kids run around a bit and let off some steam before they are couped up on the plane.

Select Seating Carefully

When booking, if you have a child under two ask for the bulkhead seats, being the first row in the economy class as you get a lot of leg room. In long haul the bulk head seats have flip down cots. If you have a young baby and you book online call up the airline immediately and ask for this particular seat allocation. Let you kids walk around the airplane as much as possible.

Keep Them Busy

If you are flying check with the airline if there is any inflight entertainment or kiddies welcome packs. If there is you can lighten your carry-on load for each of the children a little. A pack of cards and a book each is very useful. Your kid's favourite toy and some new toys help pass the time. Electronic games are an absolutely godsend when travelling with a family. Just remember to have replacement batteries, and the right cables for recharging for the duration of your holiday and for your return trip. Remember You may need an adaptor and even a transformer.

If you are driving, consider investing in a portable DVD player unless you are already fortunate enough to have a Play Station Console (which also plays DVDs) in one of your head rests and multiple sets of ear phones and bring along some of the kids favourite films and one or two new ones just for the journey. If you are driving from England make sure that you stretch your legs on the ferry journey or on the eurotunnel crossing.

Protect Your Family's Health

Pack all medicines that you and your family are on, all of them in their original containers. Take some child friendly low level pain killers like paracetemol, nurofen, or aspirin. Very importantly take out Health Insurance and bring all of the paper work. Remember sunblock in summer and insect repellent.


Corina Clemence runs Chateau du Guerinet a luxury french castle in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to 15 people ideal for a fantastic french holiday with friends and family and for unwinding and visiting historic castles and vineyards. The chateau is ideal for a fairytale french wedding, party or any event. You can rent the whole chateau exclusively or hire one of the luxury six suites individually. Rent a French chateau Hire french chateau Rent castle France http://www.loirechateau.com Go ahead rent a castle in France - rent a french chateau. You can drive from England or hire a car at an airport or train station to explore this splendid region.