An American travel writer who has visited 24 countries with her family claims that ignoring conventional wisdom about travelling with children has been the key to their successful adventures abroad.
Breaking The Rules For Better Family Holidays
Jamie Davis Smith, writing for Business Insider, explains that while she researched trips online when her children were younger, she has learned that often ditching the unwritten rules of family travel has resulted in largely stress-free experiences.
The mother-of-two has taken her children to some of the world's most popular tourist attractions, including Japan's Kyoto and Egypt's famous pyramids, but refuses to follow standard parental advice about how to manage family holidays.
"I love not having to rely on an alarm clock while on vacation," Davis Smith writes. "Plus, knowing we don't have to wake up early means there's less pressure to cut the day's activities short to get back to the hotel to sleep."
Unconventional Approaches That Work
While many parents swear by getting up early to beat crowds and staying in one accommodation to ensure consistency, Davis Smith's family takes a different approach.
On a recent trip to Europe, the family changed their accommodation every few days because their ultimate aim was to see as many places as possible. Contrary to expectations, she says the trip was much more fun because of this approach.
The family are often the last people to leave theme parks, with Davis Smith explaining that the hour before closing is usually the quietest time to enjoy attractions without the crowds.
Beyond Child-Friendly Destinations
Sticking to traditionally child-friendly destinations is also a no-no for this experienced traveller. Davis Smith says she wants her offspring to experience "complicated histories" and has taken her children to thought-provoking locations including the site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland, Hiroshima in Japan, and destinations at the heart of America's civil rights movement in the Deep South.
Warnings that India might leave the family with food poisoning didn't put them off, nor did advice not to visit Jordan on grounds of personal safety. Davis Smith reports that the family enjoyed both countries without incident.
When it comes to packing, the family takes a minimalist approach with big teddies and toys off limits. "A small travel blanket helps my son feel more secure when we are away from home," she writes, "so I usually toss that into his bag, but otherwise, we make do with what we have."
The Best Family Holiday Destination For 2026 Revealed
In related family travel news, research by Sunsail has revealed the world's best family holiday hotspot for 2026 - and it's just a short flight from the UK.
The Italian island of Sardinia was crowned number one in a new global list ranking the top 20 holiday destinations. The research used a combination of online search data, Tripadvisor reviews, information from official tourism boards, and geological data.
Praised for its calm, child-friendly beaches, you can reach Sardinia in just two hours and 50 minutes from London Stansted - even quicker from hubs such as Manchester Airport.
Each destination was ranked based on popularity, accessibility, safety, diversity of activities, family-friendly accommodation options and beaches.
TripAdvisor noted that unlike many overcrowded Mediterranean hotspots, Sardinia balances lively resorts with peaceful coves, perfect for travelling with both younger kids and older teenagers.
Sardinia's reputation for safety and welcoming hospitality, along with its unspoiled landscapes and vibrant culture, makes it the ultimate family holiday destination for 2026 according to the study.
Meanwhile, Ibiza comes in second place, scoring highly for safety, cleanliness and Blue Flag sands, with Lake Garda, Cornwall and Orlando completing the top five family destinations for 2026.
