Precautions for travel with children
 

Here is my advice for traveling with kids:<BR><BR>1) Create a card for the kids with passport number, emergency numbers, itinerary, identifying information, etc. Shrink it down to credit card size, laminate it and make the kids carry it in their pockets. Wayzata High School IDs don't do much in Bangkok or Sorrento. <BR><BR>2) If you're taking a non-related minor with you (our son's 17 year old girlfriend), get Mom or Dad to sign a letter stating that it's okay to travel with the family, and we have approval to seek medical or emergency help.<BR><BR>3) Eat gelato daily and/or stop frequently for food - the great equalizer.

Why is teaching children to eat unhealthy foods like gelato daily a good thing? I wouldn't do that.

It's also a good idea for adults who may be traveling solo to not only have some ID on them but to also list the address of the hotel/flat/hostel etc. that they're staying. Not to sound paranoid but if something awful should happen (like an accident) at least the whereabouts of your belongings would be known. Kids should always have a copy of their parents names and hotel info just in case they do become separated from family.

I also always packed my kids with a copy of the hotel name and address where we were staying, the phone number, and our names, plus telephone nos. of their grandparents back in the states and copies of their passport pictures. They didn't even realize they were carrying this when they were small, but as they grew older, they became very possessive of this unique piece of ID we created for them.

Patty, eating gelato daily is definitely a good thing. Sometimes twice.

Oops, meant to say that eating gelato daily while traveling in Italy is definitely a good thing.<BR><BR>We need an edit function here!

I did a similar thing for my 12 yr old while in Italy. I made sure he had a copy of our itinerary with hotel information in case of emergency etc. We also made sure he knew what to do if he were to get seperated from us in a crowd, etc. Also make sure they have money on them for cab fare back to the hotel.