We are melting here in London and Rome so I thought I would write a quick note on surviving guided tours with kids – some ideas for you!
1. Wear light clothes that cover your kids up, and a hat, and lots of sunscreen. I know you know this already, but of course worth mentioning. Longer sleeved clothes and longer shorts mean that you won’t be worrying as much about sunburn, a big brimmed hat will keep them cooler and keep the sun off, and make sure you bring along your bottle of sunscreen. Comfy, airy shoes also help. Bring a change of clothes as well – London has some great fountains you can run through - Somerset House, the Southbank, Leicester Square which might be nice to cool down in; and Rome has all the water fountains so you can just fill up your water bottle and pour it over your kids! (No jumping in the fountains in Rome though – you will be fined!)
San Cresino in Rome is one of my very favourite places to get ice cream in Rome. GO!!!!!
2. Bring lots of liquid and snacks. You will all have your own way of doing things, but when it is crazy hot my healthy eating routine with my daughter goes out of the window. Of course I bring lots and lots of water, but I also bring juice, in part for bribery and in part to ensure that she does drink liquid. I bring sweet things, salty things, treat things (bribery again) and fruit. At the end of the day generally the fruit is still in her lunch box – but we got through the day!!!
3. Remind your guide that you need shade. Guides love talking about the places you are visiting, and sometimes we forget about the sun so don’t be afraid to say that you need some shade. They will accommodate you!
4. Tell your guide you need a snack break. Take 10 minutes in a café to rehydrate, sit down and relax. Or maybe buy an ice-cream and sit in the shade of a tree for a while. I know that you might feel like you want to just keep on going, but your guide can tell you stories about London or Rome or history, or just find out a bit more about you and your family. It is not time wasted and it will give you all a little bit more energy.
There are some beautiful and historic little corners where you can chill out in the shade for a bit.
5. Do remind your guide that your kids might be grumpy/tired/not sleeping well because it is so hot (on top of that they may be jet-lagged too, and in a strange, new place – it is a lot to deal with! There may be tantrums (and boy can toddler heat induced tantrums be spectacular!). Guides are sensitive souls and might think that the kids just don’t like them – but when it is hot it is so difficult for little ones and it is good to remind guides of that. Tell them you might need to be a bit flexible and take some time out, or have an impromptu nap, or deal with the tantrum to beat all tantrums, whatever. Remember guides are there for you, so tell them what is going on and your guide will do their best to accommodate it.6
6. Bring a buggy (if your kids are buggy age). I am obsessed with the buggy. Although my daughter could walk it is basically a portable bed, so when a nap is needed then she can nap. Most places in London are buggy accessible (Rome is a little more difficult so do speak to us about this). Another option is a baby/toddler carrier. Have a think about it, it might help!
7. On the Underground - in both London and Rome it is even hotter on the underground than outside. Try and avoid rush hour so it is not as packed. Strip off if you can. and make sure you have water so you don’t faint. Plan your journey in advance, so you know what you are doing and that you don’t get a train in the wrong direction - not what you need when it is hot! But you will just have to suffer it so prepare to suffer!
Strip off on the tube, bring water and avoid rush hour!
8. Well, us grown-ups have trouble concentrating in the heat, so imagine how hard it must be for a tired, sweltering toddler. So, if all else fails, get the bubba in the buggy/baby carrier and crack out the TV on your mobile. Yesterday I was on a delayed, packed train with no air conditioning. We were sweltering. My daughter was tired and hot, so out came the TV. There is a time and a place and if your little ones cannot cope then just do it. Even on a tour! Invest in some earphones so they don’t disturb anyone else, and then you get to enjoy the tour and the little one has some down time and doesn’t have a melt-down (you may not be able to do this in all sites, but walking from site to site might give your toddler the break they need to recharge).
9. Think about changing the order of the day – do you have a site visit in the morning and walking tour in the afternoon? Consider (if it is possible) doing the walking tour early and the site visit later on – that way you don’t have to walk outside in the heat of the day. Our guides are trained to be flexible – so talk to them about it.
When there is not a cloud in the sky offering you some shade - think about heading inside instead of a walking tour.
10. Less is more. If it is crazy hot then consider cutting something and spend longer in a café, or sitting in a park, or similar. Kids (and adults) need downtime and if you have too much to cover on a hot day then cut it down and at least make sure you enjoy one or two things rather than be stressed and hot and bothered all day. Ask your guide what should not be missed and how best to plan the day in the heat… you will have a great day with beautiful memories!
All our guides are professional and trained and therefore are flexible and able to change things (within reason of course) to ensure clients of all ages have the best possible time. So, good luck! Enjoy! And I hope you survive the hot weather!