I don’t ever have a strategy for avoiding jet lag. I just never have it on the way over. On the way back it kicks my butt big time. They say it takes 1 day for every hour of time change on the way back.

So – being the procrastinator that I am, here’s how my preparations for my journey typically go.

Up until about 11:30 pm or midnight the night before I fly out – typically I’m booked on a flight requiring me to be at the airport at 4:00 am the day of departure – I do absolutely nothing toward getting ready. Okay, sure, I might have picked up a refill lipstick or something, but typically – not much of anything.

Then, I spend the time from midnight to 3:00 am – cause it takes a while to get to the airport – packing, while my family – who have nagged me incessantly about getting ready to go – sleep and leave me alone.

Then, by the time my husband is awakening to take me to the airport I’ve got everything prepared, I’m ready to go – much to his consternation. It drives him NUTS.

Important insider tips:

If you wear contacts, opt for glasses for the flight. The air is so dry in those planes, and plus – you’re gonna be tired!

DO take a long hot shower, wash and style your hair.

Don’t wear make-up – your skin is going to be trashed by the time you arrive – I’ve done the PDX to Heathrow trip many a time on my trips to Spain.

Anyway – I usually arrive Madrid at 9am-ish the next morning – and get my rental car and drive the five hours to the part of Spain I go to.

NO – I do not sleep on the plane.

I mean, hello – they have awesome movies on the plane – FREE!

I just hit the ground running, do what needs to be done, and then by the time it’s bedtime – it’s REALLY bedtime.

You’re gonna have such a great time! I’m so excited for you!

Going back to my home country – but I’m not really a London kinda gal… Drink lots of water and go out and get some sunshine (hahahahaha! if there is any! hahahaha!) as soon as you can to re-set your circadian rhythm.

If you ain’t got that rhythm, then find a cafe and eat pastries!

My advice: Don’t eat heavy meals and for goodness sake, don’t wash them down with alcohol. In Prague, I still regret eating a hearty lunch of goulash and washing it down with a liter of beer. I napped for about 3 hours that afternoon. I still regret this.

Piece of Advice #2: Get lost! My favorite part of the trip involved taking the tram outside of Vienna and visiting wine taverns.

Have a great trip. I plan on living vicariously through you and your family.

Here’s a link to get the skinny on the best approaches to dealing with jet lag, from intreped traveler Rick Steves.

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/jetlag.htm

While you’re there, check out all of his other helpful tips, too!

Kids do NOT sleep on planes. At least, none of mine ever have, and we’ve taken them on trips to Italy and to England. I tried dosing them with Bendryl, but then they’d have a Coke with dinner.

Good luck!

Do your usual thing in the US. Drink tons of water. Pee extensively at the airport :) You’re hydrated.
Take Melatonin when it’s time to board. Bring eye covers and some earplugs. Take a nap. Ignore the food.
Wake up in Britain (If you have to, take a little nap if you are absolutely wrecked) and keep going until it’s as close to bedtime as possible. Make sure to drink lots through the day.
Next morning wake up(it will be a bit early but not too far off regular time) Enjoy yourself.

Works everytime for the whole family.
Melatonin can be bought in the grocery store vitamin aisle.

I was about gone early on, I did eat dinner,but I bought a sandwich just in case… Good thing as I woke up about 2 AM and was ravenous! I took my pill then, ate, brushed the teeth again, went back to sleep and woke refreshed.

Then I was in tune with their time – no more pills until I got home. One pill and I was back on my time. Worked like a charm, no jet lag.

I’m not one that can sleep on a plane, so this worked just fine for me.