Anyway, Isabella was more than happy to watch from her perch in the car seat out of the window for a couple of hours, but then it was time to move the entertainment up a notch.  We keep a selection of CDs in the car, which vary from Pooh Bear stories to children's nursery rhymes and when she's in the mood for a car boogie we can get away with some Oasis, Prince, and Robbie Williams; all of which she loves.  These worked for a period before it was time to switch to my own songs, although I know my husband was trying to drag out the CD scenario for as long as possible - like I said; I'm not going to make X-Factor even if I can rap this little piggy with robotic arms thrown in for good measure!  When even Milla (our dog) was covering her ears in dismay we knew it was time for a stop so we pulled up by a roadside tapas bar and got out to stretch our legs, let Isabella and Milla have a run around and eat our picnic lunch before hopping back in the car.  After a stop I tend to swap places with Milla and sit in the back seat so that I can do some colouring with Isabella, read her some stories, and get her settled for a doze.

For us it's the after doze that we dread because this is when Isabella gets that look on her face and we know she's thinking: "OK guys, I've been good as gold and hardly moaned a smidgen, but now I want to get out and no amount of you telling me it's only another 5 minutes is going to wash."  Hmmmm, what to do?  Well, I rely on a glovebox road map because when she's extra fractious she likes to read this.  Don't ask me why, because I don't know, all I do know is that since she was very small this has always worked as a last resort!  She also has a bicycle pump for such emergencies.  I think it must be that feeling of thinking she's not allowed something (even though we know she is) that gives her that happy glow and keeps her busy.  What I also did for this trip was buy her a few one-EURO toys, which I whipped out at truly difficult moments.  There's nothing like something new to recapture her interest.  The result of all these tricks is that Isabella is content and very often mummy and daddy do get to peacefully enjoy quite a lot of the scenery that's on offer in Europe, which makes for a pleasurable trip all round!

By Alice Griffin
European Contributor


Alice Griffin's passion for travel started early with imaginary trips. When she grew up she opted for real ones and travelled the world solo writing for a travel guide. Now a married mother she is on a long-term family road trip through Europe, stopping at various destinations along the way with the thought that maybe one day she will wake up without itchy feet!