I’m looking for any hints on how to go on enjoyable and relaxing vacations with two small children. The kids are 4 and 10months and the four year old is very energetic. Somehow so far everything we tried wasn’t in a way that both parents enjoyed it too much. So we’re happy to learn from your experience. Bonus if it’s not too expensive.
The best thing we’ve done is visiting some friends (who also have kids that age) who live out in a rural area. We don’t have to spend as much time wrangling them that way (especially because our friends already had a child-proofed house), and after the kids went to bed, got to play board games and drink bourbon. The first night for our kids tends to be a bit rough, so we bring melatonin as well.
Even then, it’s still kinda stressful. It’s a phase you’re in for a while, I’m mostly resigned to it (and saving my more ambitious plans for when the kids are easier to travel with).