European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                 trips Continuer my Page 41 and that of the other passengers think carefully before booking a Long bus ride. Eating and sleeping one experienced Parent recommends always travelling on a Ful stomach for everyone is happier when a Well fed. We carry a variety of snacks treat during the Day  for breakfast and in a Pinch tide us Over at night. Not Only is it More convenient and less expensive than eating out every meal you Are also More Likely to find something that finicky Young Hafets actually like. 1 there Are few things that cause More problems when travelling than eating out. 1 Seldom does our family of four want Sci Eal t y the same thing at the same time. We try to Trade off by eating what the children want sometimes and eating what the adults i a want at other times. On occasion we be found that if we let the kids eat burgers and Fries at a fast food place they will then a sit quietly nursing a soft drink and colouring while we enjoy a meal at a real a restaurant. A keep in mind that the wait to be served can be very Long in european restaurants. We always take workbooks and pads for 1 i the children to use while waiting for food. Not Only does it Cut Down on the fighting a a but in also creates a Good Opportunity for parents and children to do something _ together. R finding a place to spend the night is \ another Challenge. Hotels inns and private Homes have far fewer rooms for families than for couples so it is Wise to Start looking Early for a room especially during Peak vat action seasons. We have been pleased with i he room finding services at. Tourist offices and Railroad stations a especially the ones that Are willing to make recommendations. Even those that charge a a fee Are worthwhile for it will probably t. Cost you much More in time and aggravation if you have to do it All on your j own you will find someone who Speaks a a a English at most of  t Hoice of room will have a lot Todo with How much you Are willing 10 b 1 spend weve found that a bathroom in the room is Nice but not necessary while a television Sot is almost a must. It is fun to watch news and entertainment shows in other countries oven if you can t 1 a understand a word they Are saying and _ _ morning cartoons in France should not be  what to do Here s another potential dash that requires planning and compromised on t try to pack in a full _ Day of sightseeing without a few Breaks a David Foster an american living in Eben Tadt Demiany with his wife a 1 Dodds tear her and their two children. Says his family likes to spend time with Johb _ pigeons that inhabit nearly every town _. Village or City. His son likes to Chase them his daughter likes to feed them an afterwards they 10 More willing  some things their parents want to do. Parks  Ponds and City squares with fountains Are great for Breaks and Are usually marked on City maps. Our daughter s roller skates take Little room 111. Continued on Page 4.i a amps Joseph Owen above a full Moon illuminates the Lake and roller coaster at big bang smurf Park near Metz France. Left boat rides Are an option in Many european cities. Tell them about it to help children gel. The most out of travel give then As much knowledge As possible about the destination Belore you  rigid Cortright director of Catholic University of America s children education Center in Washington d.c., advises parents to Tell children where they re going what they la see and How Long they la be gone. ,. She recommends telling them what to expect when travelling by Public. Transportation and a that different foods will be available in restaurants. She advises coaching them on How to talk with new people shake hands and introduce themselves. Try teaching them a Quot few foreign words a Quot please Quot and Quot thank you Quot Are a Good Start _ Cort right also suggests telling them what to look for at museums and to move them through quickly even Young children will enjoy museums if they Aren t expected to linger at each exhibit one effective idea is to buy a few a postcards at a museum gift shop and then head for the galleries where the pictured items Are Likely to be fount the children c an search Tor the items while the parents steal a Little extra viewing Lime. It May be hard to read to children about destinations but they la probably be quite willing to watch videos and movies. The sound of music is a Good introduction to Austria Heidi for Switzerland and Hans Christian Andersen for Denmark. Kids can learn something while being entertained by a Good Story. In addition Many military Community libraries have videos about different countries that can be checked out. A  th6 associated press contributed to this Story 42 stars and stripes travel Europe May 22, 1991