I traveled abroad with my 78-year-old parents. It was tougher than traveling with toddlers — and I learned some lessons the hard way.

In many ways, traveling with my 78-year-old parents was harder than traveling with my twins as toddlers. I'm glad we explored Japan together, but I wish we'd gone sooner. Ash Jurberg I flew to Tokyo to surprise my parents, who thought they were meeting a free guide. Traveling around the city with two 78-year-olds with poor eyesight and vertigo was challenging. I learned the hard way to plan longer rest stops, and I also waited in long lines for them. After three months of keeping the secret...