Kansai trip

Mention Osaka and most people think of Osaka Castle. For most of us, Kyoto means the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Oh, and gracious geisha. But that's another story when we travel with kids.

This isn't to say I don't fancy those feudal castles and colourful shrines. Soon after my first few trips with my daughter (before the age of three), I simply discovered that there is no all-purpose definition of must-sees with children. It's worth taking a look at the Lonely Planet chapter, but a big part of getting the planning right is to keep the itinerary flexible.

When we travelled with Jasmine and her cousin to Osaka and Kyoto last week, we just made up our own version of holiday. The hotel in Osaka didn't take extra charge for kids sharing bed with us, and we're glad to know that. But then my daughter told us, upon arrival at the hotel, she wanted to create her own tatami (and there is another name for such arrangement: sleeping on the floor).

For most children (and, to be honest, for many adults), it's tempting to break the rules during holidays. The first rule, I'd say, is to withhold our judgements as long as we can - and then a little longer. For instance, when we went to the onsen in Kyoto, Jasmine asked to go to the men's baths (to make for a happier experience with her cousin).

If you love to travel with kids you can probably recall a time - plenty of times - when they come up with crazy new ideas. That's fine. One of the nicest things about travel is a break of the routine and letting the rules go out the window.