Sicily on a budget with kids and a compact camera.

One of the best things about living in Europe these days is just how cheap/affordable it is to travel by air to places that you would otherwise not be able to afford.

A flight to the city of Catania in Sicily for 25€ would have been unheard of 10 years ago. Of course it’s not quite that simple if you are living in say Bohinj. First, you need to drive down to the airport in Venice, and second, it’s an early flight to Catania and a late flight back to Venice. However, these are just details.

The thing about family vacations is that the number 1 rule to remember is that everything is based around the kids. Where and what they want to eat, how long they are willing to walk in the sun, and of course where exactly are the toilets stops that you will make every 30 minutes or so.

And whilst I maybe the best dad in the world I am also a photographer, so I need to plan a camera or two into the trip.

My camera of choice for holidays is the Nikon 1”-sensor with the 6.7-13mm lens. But for the kids I packed the Sony NEX-5 and a waterproof case. This way they can be kept busy for a few hours at a time and I can also have some fun (whilst the wife likes to sunbath and read a book).

For vacation photography all I need is a lens that is wide enough and that the camera is fairly decent in low light.

I am happy to say that I got some decent shots. But most importantly, I spent a lot of quality time with the kids and of course, the good wife.

Oh, maybe for next time I might bring a super long lens. I almost bumped into Richard Gere who’s photo below is not mine. It was from one of the paparazzi who were hanging around his hotel in Taormina.