My family and I recently completed a whirlwind tour of Ireland. Ten nights in six different places, traveling by car all across the Emerald Isle. It was a wonderful vacation with plenty of experiences and memories, from the streets of Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher and back. There were many highlights, like having a pint at the Guinness factory, hiking the Connemara trails, marveling at the coasts of Dingle, and relaxing on Kilkenny’s medieval grounds.
Traveling with two young kids can be a daunting task, however. As we planned the trip, my spouse and I wondered how we would survive the ambitious cross-country excursion, hopping from one city to the next every few days. How would we manage the late flights each way? And did I mention that we would all share a room in hotels, guest houses, and B&Bs of all shapes and sizes? Sleeping away from our own beds can be disruptive enough, but doing it with four noisy people, including one kid that flips all the lights on first thing in the morning? Were we crazy to think that this was going to be a relaxing vacation!?
Looking back on the trip, I can declare it a success. We slept well for most nights. We rested enough on the flights and recovered without issue. Like any vacation, there were some bumps along the way (broken suitcase wheel, rental car delays, sea sickness), but we saw much of Ireland, and we returned as a recharged, happy clan. So what exactly did we do to make it work?
Overall, our focus on good rest and relaxation made for better travel. By getting ample Z’s each night, we were able to embark on the next leg of our Irish journey, all while keeping the kids (mostly) content and restful. Some days were full of activities, so we returned to our lodging naturally tired and needing some shuteye. To satisfy our kids’ natural urge for daily routines, we balanced the hectic travel itinerary with similar bedtime activities and lights-out times from home. It also helped that everyone slept in for an extra hour or two, even our seven-year-old lighting specialist!
No surprise, there is a common theme all throughout our travels. Hint: it involves products from one of my favorite woman-owned small businesses…I mean, we are talking about travels with SleepSwag after all! On any trip, I always pack my favorite silk sleep mask in a personal carry-on item, along with some ear plugs and a bottle of the crystal sleep mist. They complement my comfy travel day attire and my pajamas, two uniforms I take on every trip. And at every destination, I make myself at home with SleepSwag nearby on the night stand.
Whether on the plane or in a variety of hotels, I have learned to accept and embrace any situation (or roommates) with my travel and bedtime essentials. Rather than worry about the curtains, any annoying lights, or those noisy neighbors, I adapt to each sleeping arrangement with my consistent nightly routine. Once pajamas are on, ear plugs are in, crystal mist is sprayed, and sleep mask is pulled into place, I am relaxed and at ease, feeling closer to our bed at home. I also love a good power nap in between all the sightseeing, which I can easily take with the best sleep mask I have ever used. I just slip it on to completely block out all that pesky daylight.
From the busy streets of Dublin to the rolling green hills of the Irish countryside, SleepSwag allowed us to fully enjoy two of our favorite things, traveling and sleeping. Thanks to SleepSwag, our vacation was extra memorable with some fun photos of the scenic hotel views. Our kids even requested their own silk sleep masks for future trips, after seeing both of their parents all cozied up and half asleep on the plane. We are already dreaming of our next adventure…and more travels with SleepSwag!