After accompanying his travel writer dad to the Peruvian Amazon, Paul Eisenberg had his first trip report published at age 13 in Junior Scholastic magazine and has been a fan of family travel and journalism ever since. Some years later he went on to serve as editorial director at Fodor’s, where he managed a publishing program including the guidebook series Around the City with Kids and Fodor’s Family. A Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel writer, Paul is the family vacation blogger for Sherman’s Travel, editor of TravelingDad.com, and a full-time staff writer for Micato Safaris. He lives with his wife and three children in New York City.
Cheapflights: As a family vacation expert, what’s your top tip for traveling with kids?
Paul Eisenberg: Plan your vacation based on your family’s stamina, but be prepared to change plans based on everybody’s mood. This cuts both ways. You’ll sometimes have no collective stamina to finish a day of sightseeing, or your kids may find new stores of energy to spend an hour at a tiny museum for which you only allocated 10 minutes. Be flexible.
CF: And family-friendly destinations – any up-and-comers that you’ve noticed climbing the ranks?
PE: I’ve been keen lately on the underappreciated parts of Florida – Amelia Island, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, any part of Orlando beyond Disney, to name a few – and in keeping with the fact that these destinations want your business, the family-friendliness quotient as well as the deals are favorable in these lesser-traveled (for now) family destinations.
CF: What is an absolute must for families to include on their packing lists?
PE: Neosporin for scrapes, Benadryl allergy cream for itches and A&D for diaper rash are the Holy Trinity of the medicine bag. You’d be surprised how handy the diaper rash ointment is long after your babies are no longer babies.
CF: What’s your routine before you fly?
PE: Since my wife and I have three kids — one of whom is 5 and needs his hand held in crowded places – the five of us essentially rehearse who’s carrying what bag and based on that, who’s holding the boy’s hand. Once all our luggage is offloaded curbside at the airport, we’re always happy to have this strategy in place, especially if, like me, you’re too cheap to pay for a skycap.
CF: Any tips on researching a new destination before taking off – particularly with kids in tow?
PE: Your hotel needs to be your hub and all other activities and points of interest have to be the spokes that are manageable distances from the hotel. As your kids get older you can rely less on this idea, but like I said earlier, you need to be able to factor in at a moment’s notice that a kid (or even a parent!) will be too tired to continue or too jazzed to want to leave. So in addition to having a hotel convenient to what you’re doing, research places where activities are somewhat open-ended – parks and neighborhood strolls, say, versus, points of interest with fixed hours.
CF: Of the airports you’ve passed through – Stateside and abroad – which is the most convenient?
PE: I feel like Orlando International Airport (MCO) has no choice but to be on top of its game given the volume it handles, and time and again have found getting in and out of there with my family clear and easy. MCO’s options for last-minute souvenir shopping are also above average.
CF: Who’s the most memorable seatmate (or what’s the most memorable conversation) you’ve had on a plane?
PE: In my 12 years of parenting to date I cannot remember a single conversation I’ve had with a grown-up on a plane. What’s memorable is if my wife and I get five uninterrupted minutes to talk before we touch down.
CF: What countries or regions do you believe offer the best bang for your family’s buck?
PE: The U.S. South has topped my list since I was a child traveling with my family, and present day, in terms of novelty, fun, sunshine, and the amazing, accessible eating for kids, it still gets my vote for overall value on vacation.
CF: Do you recommend using guided tours at a new destination?
PE: Yes, but in keeping with my desire to keep things open-ended, I’d always pick the shortest possible tour that gives the broadest possible overview. I feel the same way about self-guided tours – if it’s a walking city, keep your ears and eyes free and explore it on your own.
CF: Writing for Micato Safaris must be wonderful. Would you recommend an African safari for a family vacation?
PE: Yes. Given the beauty of Africa and its people, a nice surprise for parents on safari is how easily they and their kids lose interest in their phones and the other portable electronic devices they can’t seem to live without at home. I’m a bit biased here, but that feat alone paves the way for families to grow closer together while on safari.
Cheapflights is proud to have guest voices express their opinions. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cheapflights Media (USA) Inc.
