You all remember the post I did before I left for my Duathlon in Spain about the Top 5 Craziest Comments About My Big Race, right? Basically, I was told/asked some insane and/or rude questions and comments – a lot of them unsolicited – about my traveling abroad with my five year-old twins in tow. I know you’re dying to know if you should really bring kids to Europe or not so here goes:
1. As you may recall, my son Miles asked if there would be any characters in Spain a la Disney or Hershey Park. Turns out, there were! There was a mall very near the first hotel we stayed at in Vigo, Spain. The day we arrived, it was raining, so of course we did the most American thing we could, and we went to the mall to kill a little time and pick up some supplies. Then, the kids discovered these:
It’s not a tiny unibomber on a giant stuffed and motorized cow – it’s my son…on a giant stuffed and motorized cow.
“What the hell is that?” is a very appropriate and excellent question! For the bargain price of seven euros, they actually let kids, of almost any age ride around the mall on these things. The mall! This would never, ever fly in the states because people would lose their minds! Did I mention it only has a gas pedal? It also plays creepy music. This is Vaughn in action:
Miles faired much better with his animal handling skills, but still. Did you notice how those people that he almost ran into didn’t even flinch? I think we should move there. My children are tolerated much better and even ignored, in Spain. Clearly we should live there until the boys are 18.
2. From my new friend (and multi-time World Champion Duathlete) Eric Schwartz, who I did a podcast with, cautioned that “the race may start early and without warning.” This did not even come close to happening. We were actually corralled like cattle, into pens (also like cattle), in the blazing sun, to wait until our wave time. The men’s waves went first – from the young and viral, to the older and inspiring – four waves in total. The women went next, in the same order, so yours truly was somewhere in the middle, still competing with those damn 30 year olds! The one thing I noticed was the music. Within seconds before the start horn went off, the music would be a loud drum beat that sounded just like my own heart, beating out of my chest. Boom boom. Boom boom. Boom boom. Then the horn! I couldn’t have missed it if I tried.
Start/Finish line!
3. You shouldn’t bring kids to Europe. Miles and Vaughn hated it, as evidenced by these pictures:
We started the day with a workout – of course!
Then, some quiet reflection with dad.
A healthy Spanish breakfast of churros, candy and coffee con leche! Usually they give kids warm milk with sugar. I opted to just go straight for the coffee while I was there. Kidding!! They absolutely did not have candy at breakfast either.
Posing by some art work in the harbor.
Playing in the park with Papi.
Packing some toys, books and LeapPads for nighttime entertainment. Don’t let the sun streaming through the windows fool you. It’s nighttime.
It was obviously horrible for them (wait until you see the pics from Portugal!) and even though they ask me daily when they can go back, I know it’s just a rouse, because Europe is clearly no place for children.
4. Are you going to Barcelona or Madrid? NO! We were in Vigo and Pontevedra and they were both spectacular! The only small issue was that no one spoke English, but with my dad, it was really no issue at all. The people of Spain were lovely and gracious. It was truly the vacation of a lifetime. And Obidos, Portugal? Don’t even get me started. Here’s a sneak peak:
What happened to this view? I want to go back each and every day I wake up back home.
5. Are you going to do this again? In a word – No. It was so amazing and perfect that I want it to remain that way. You know how there should never, ever have been a remake of Footloose? Or a Grease 2 (sorry Ashley!)? Or all those horrible Star Wars prequels? There shall not be a World Championship Duathlon 2. Now, I won’t say “never” but I really want it to remain the way it is for right now. And, even though I am SO tempted to go to Worlds 2015 in Australia, my husband said “Not unless we can teleport there.”
What are some things you were told about a vacation that ended up not being true?
What’s the best/worst trip advice you ever received or gave?
I love it! OMG the motorized cow! Not only wouldn’t it be tolerated here in the states but that is a lawsuit waiting to happen! Those pictures make me want to go. Spain is on my bucket travel list and so is Australia. The worst advice was that I shouldn’t go to Mexico. True it is dangerous in some spots but Cancun is awesome and full of great people.
You are so right about the lawsuits! OMG, can you imagine??
I’ve heard that about Mexico as well and my husband and I have been several times. We just stay in the resort and have had zero issues and fantastic vacations!
That cow?!?! Crazy!!!! But your kids will talk about that forever!!!! I’m a bad person to ask about travel with kids. I have done it with my kids from the get go… You do have to do things differently – but so what?!? It’s hard work, but the memories are priceless and you open up the world to your kids!!!! Australia… DO IT!!!! We took our 5 last year. The flights were long, but honestly, bcs of the time difference and amount of time you sleep, I found European travel “longer”! We are doing another long trip next year with all 5… Highlight of my life! So glad you had a good time!
Absolutely Leah! Having kids is a lot of work period, so what’s a little more when the payoff is so huge? I would do it again in a heartbeat. The kids were great and we all have the best memories and stories we will never forget. Good luck in your travels!
Ok, that cow got me cracking up and giggling. My husband had to ask me what was so funny and thought I was insane until I showed it to him. What were you thinking taking kids to Europe, lol!! Looks like you all had a blast and knew you would 🙂
I was laughing SO hard the first time they rode them…yes, of course they wanted to go back and do it again and again! They haven’t stopped talking about it and I love it when someone asks what their favorite thing was in Spain and they say “Riding a cow in the mall.”
So glad you addressed the myth about bringing the kids, it gives me hope that my love for travel doesn’t have to come to a complete screeching halt down the road ;).
Absolutely not! Bring them everywhere!
The animatronic animal things? Made my day. I can’t stop giggling The best would be to get one here somehow and have our kids ride around that Hartford mall on them. Oh yes. And I’d be taking pictures for reactions. And you could film it.
Now I want candy and churros for breakfast, though, even if it didn’t really happen!
They look like they had a blast! I hear you about Grease 2.. sorry, Ashley. Some things are better left without “sequels.”
Oh Tamara – that would be the BEST!!! People would be so mad OMG!!! That would be a post to end all posts.
The churros happened and happened every day. I really miss them! Plus it sounds better when you say I had a churro for breakfast instead of a donut but they are essentially the same thing!
What an awesome experience for your kids- and they’re old enough to remember it, too! I can’t think of warnings before a vacation, but we heard some crazy stuff about Texas before moving there and the people ended up being pretty normal. 🙂
Ha ha ha!!! I used to work inside sales for a sales guy in Texas and I’m still friends with him and that was over 15 years ago! Everything is bigger (and they claim better 🙂 in Texas!
Never say never. Australia sounds pretty darn amazing. Maybe you and the hubs could go sans kids?!
Now you’re talking! Perhaps I could stay with Brittany’s relatives there… 🙂
Ohhhh Portugal looks so pretty!!
That cow is ridiculous and hilarious all at the same time. I can’t even believe that is a thing! Good to know there are, in fact, characters in Europe!
So glad you and the boys had a good time! 🙂
Me too! It was awesome.
I’m soooo jealous! Spain?!? It looks like you all had such a wonderful time! I really want the churros though! I love those things, but I know they would be so much better in Spain! I am also LOLing at teleporting to Austrailia. I know that was a task getting everyone there in one piece and keeping your sanity!
It sure was!! And churros….OMG they are so much more delicious there. I miss them and my coffee con leche every day 🙁
I love that they enjoyed the trip! At the same time, I’m a little jealous that I’m 25 and haven’t been on my own EuroTrip yet. Maybe I’ll do like you and just bring my kiddos along one day. It seemed to work out just fine for you 🙂
Absolutely!!! Don’t feel bad, I was in London one other time (in college) and I’m 39. I’m sure you’ll appreciate it more the older you get!
Best advice: vacation in rented apartments instead of hotels. They’re cheaper and much more comfortable!
That is so true, except we usually opt for houses since we have such a big crew!!!
Ouch. The Grease 2 part stung a little! 😉 Seriously, though, I am DYING at the mall ride around toys…can you even begin to imagine that here?? I feel the start of a Would You Rather coming on! 😉 And I do believe that churros for breakfast are pretty much what I imagine heaven will be like! LOVED the pictures! :)-Ashley
I know, I’m so sorry but it really drove my point home 🙂
You should totally do a “would you rather” about those things – OMG!!!
I do miss my churros every.single.day. Sigh.
Okay so Vaughn i a totally natural, I so thought he was going into the glass then he maneuvered his way around all those people like a pro! Watch out mama he might be headed for a motorbike!! The picture of them and their dad overlooking the water is just so beautiful! The double swing is super fun too, I’ve never seen one before! I totally get not wanting to ruin a good thing, let it remain perfect in your memory!
I know, right? Do you like how I just kept filming and didn’t try to steer him away from the glass?
I love that picture too! It’s such a great shot.
Thanks Nellie!
Glad you were able to prove most of those crazy questions wrong!!
However, Australia 2015?! Ummm…..I think that is a no-brainer! If you NEED someone to go with you I know someone!!!! (it’s me, duh!)
Love the trip recap still!
If you could truly go with me, I would do it just for that!!!
Thanks Kim!
We are considering going to Spain with the kids next summer, so I may have to pick your brain. They’ll be too big for that weird cow, though. Love that you took a video – that cracked me up!
You should absolutely GO!!! Pick away…
And consider yourself lucky that they’ve outgrown the “weird cow” stage 🙂
GO to Australia!!! It will be amazing! I’ll hook you up with all my friends and relatives. And of COURSE the boys are saying riding a cow in the mall was their favorite thing. If they had adult size cow ride on thingies, you can’t tell me a ride on one of those would have rivaled representing your country in the race of a lifetime. 😉
Ok so you’re right about the cow thing…and of course I’m DYING to go to Australia. You would have to MEET me there of course!!!
What a fantastic post! And your boys are such handsome travelers! My son Marshall would be all about that cow. All. About. It.
Seriously. I think my kids were the only ones riding them. The Spanish kids were so over it 🙂
Allie, bring the boys to Malaysia. There are ‘train’ rides in malls here, the cabins are animals! Plus, there are electronic cars etc too! Mind. Blowing. For 5 year olds.
I believe in showing children the world. I’m glad you did!
I would love to!!! Train rides in the mall?? They would certainly want to live there. Be prepared 🙂
what an amazing trip Allie. Memories for a lifetime. When we were in Scotland, the sun set really late too. It was very disorienting.
Absolutely!!
The daylight was crazy but we adjusted by day five or six 🙂
Spain has experienced the Vitatrain family. Spain is feeling awesome and proud.
You are awesome. Thank you 🙂
My parents always brought me and my siblings over seas when we were younger – we did not appreciate the travel at all – but now… WE ALL CRAVE IT SO MUCH.. And my parents simply say, “but we brought you and you did not like it” AHHHH! 🙁
I know!! I’m really hoping they remember some of this amazing trip. Maybe if I burn it into their brains every single day? I’m sure they’ll remember we took them to Disney when they were 4!!
A trip of a lifetime…I get how you feel. I went with my daughter to England and Sweden for a soccer tournament and I felt very much the same way. Nothing could top it. I guess you’ll have to get into Xterra Triathlons. 🙂
A girl’s gotta do… 🙂
So glad you had a similar experience. I can’t wait to travel more, the older the kids get!
That motorized cow is hysterical! Looks like you guys had a great time. I think kids can find fun anywhere. My husband and I went to the Dominican Republic about 6 years ago. I didn’t have the best time largely because our resort was not what I expected. The food was bland and there was not much to do on site. We did enjoy a jungle safari off site. Thanks for sharing on Traffic Jam Weekend, Allie. #trafficjamweekend
Hi there! So glad I could participate again in #trafficjamweekend! That’s awful about your resort though. Luckily, that has never happened to us but it easily could!! At least you got a safari out of it 🙂
The mall thing is so weird!! The pics are beautiful and the boys look like they were having a great time!
It was incredibly weird but they had a ball. It was really an amazing trip for everyone.