We are planning a long trip to Italy next summer.  We have been studying the language and Brian and I would like for the boys to see the place where part of their family is from.  Taking an almost-4 year old and an almost-8 year old is definitely a different kind of international travel than we have ever done before.  You can't expect kids to go through two museums, a cathedral and a long urban hike in one day.  And, you can't afford to do it if you are staying exclusively in full-service hotels.  So, straight off, we need to approach this in a different way.  I found a great journal which guides kids (ages 6-16 recommended) through a number of challenges and adventures, very specifically targeted at kids in Italy.  Pasta shapes, card games, catacombs, strange parks, crazy driving, mosaics, etc.  We've already started looking through it and are getting excited! 

So we are starting our planning now, nine months in advance.  We'll keep you informed of our progress!