If you use public transport obtain inform beforehand about any special conditions, discounts and services available for young children. Do not forget that at certain times of year it may be possible to find various means of transport for discovering your chosen destination, including special tourist trains.

If you are thinking of travelling in your own vehicle, make sure that you service it before you set off. Make all the necessary safety checks for both adults and children (seat belts, chairs and booster seats, etc.). Prepare your route in advance and calculate the time required to move from one place to another and plan your stops. Do not forget to take plenty of water and a little food. Most importantly of all, set off with the intention of having a good time and take some games or music to keep you entertained during the long trips.

When you do activities that require a certain amount of physical activity, consider the energy requirements of young childrenand make sure that they have sufficient food and drink.

Always take measures to protect yourself from the sun. In summer, avoid too much direct exposure to the sun, particularly around midday. In winter, even when it is cloudy, remember that you can also be exposed to high doses of solar radiation. If you go swimming, bear in mind the specific characteristics of your sun protection.

Make sure that you are equipped with appropriate clothing, footwear and whatever else you need for the activities that you will undertake: walking boots, waterproofs, warm clothing, headwear, food and water, maps and timetables, etc. There are many devices for carrying young children (including carrying devices for children of different ages and special all-surface prams). Only take what is essential and make sure that - from a certain age - young children also take responsibility for some of their own material.

If you are thinking of doing outdoor activities, it is important to consider the meteorological conditions - particularly in mountain areas - as the weather can change very quickly.Make sure that you know the local weather forecast and if you do get caught in a storm, make sure that you are not in direct contact with the wet ground or the rain. Keep your group together and away from anything that could be a target for lightning.

Walking in the snow: walks and games in the snow present young children with a very enjoyable way of discovering this medium. Dress them in appropriate clothing: gloves, caps, scarves, sun-glasses, and boots with “studs”, etc. that protect them from the cold and humidity and prevent them from slipping.Programmed snow shoe outings can prove very interesting and enjoyable.

Skiing:

Most ski resorts offer discounts and special services for families and young children. Check the services and conditions offered by each resort: snow garden, material rentals, courses, complementary activities, etc.

Adventure sports:

Always take all necessary safety precautions when doing these sports. Choose your activities according to the ages of your group and the degree of difficulty involved. Adventure sports companies employ specialised professionals who can provide advice and with whom you can have a really good time. Some companies even offer special packages for families on short visits.

Take advantage of trips and activities in order to observe and photograph the natural environment. This will allow you to discover the flora and fauna that surround you and to collect unforgettable memories of these special moments, which may include the photos of flowers and scenery. Remember that there are some places in which it is prohibited to pick flowers or modify the natural element. Photography allows us to capture images of what we find attractive. We can then show them to young children and teach them the value of conserving and protecting nature.

MTB:

Marked paths:

Our territory is rich in sign-posted routes (historic paths, cultural and nature routes). They have all been assigned a number and colour according to their length and difficulty (GR, PR and SL). The signposting code used adheres to a standard European system. Prepare your route and play at finding the route signs, and remember not to follow the cross signs! They are located at points where paths cross and denote routes that should not be followed.

Urban and peri-urban trekking:

If you are thinking of discovering a settlement by walking around it, make sure that you have: a tourist map of the municipi (municipal district) or area in question; information about the opening hours of the places you would like to visit; and information about activities aimed at families. Plan your activities to suit the tastes of all the members of your group and make sure that you combine discovery and entertainment activities. One good way to discover villages, towns and cities is to use guided tourist visit services. These offer a pleasant and entertaining way to discover all the local secrets without the risk of getting lost or missing out on anything important.

When choosing your holiday accommodation, we recommend that you bear in mind such questions as the number of people in your group (whether you are travelling alone or with other families), how many days you have available, and what you want to do (remember that visiting a city is not the same as visiting a lake in the middle of a natural park).

There is now a very wide and varied range of family accommodation on offer. This includes: hotels, rural houses, camp sites, hostels and youth centres. You can request information from tourist offices or consult specialised web pages. Contact accommodation suppliers to obtain more information about the specific characteristics of the accommodation that they offer and about any special services offered to families (connected rooms, menus for young children, activities, special discounts, etc).