Where would you go in Europe with a toddler?

Littlechic

If you were a seasoned European traveler and you had to choose one or two countries (pref western Europe) to travel with a 2-3 year old child, which countries would you chose and why? The duration is 2 weeks. We've been to England, Scotland, Spain, France and Italy. Husband has been to all of the above plus Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Hungary and Austria. However the only place we've spent any significant amount of time is Italy and England specifically London. We speak English and Italian and a tiny bit of Spanish. Any thoughts?? The child is a great traveler, albeit still a toddler, and we'd be staying in one or two apartments.

Answer
I'd do Sweden, for sure. Child friendly infrastructure anywhere you go, public diaper changing rooms, climate never too hot, pretty much everyone speaks English, everything is super clean and super safe... just don't let the little one get too close to the lakes all alone.

As for yourselves... well, I think it makes a great destination for adults, too. So much so that I've even decided to move there. Great place for simply letting go and taking in the serenity of water and sky... and those holiday cottages can be really cozy, fireplace, out in the woods... I'd recommend the following locations, check them out, you might like what you see:

Hunnebostrand (a beautiful fishing village on the west coast)
Marstrand (a pretty much car-free island off the west coast, close to Gothenburg)
Gotland (another island, this one off the east coast, and further south - very cool stuff to see there)

Travelling with an infant?

Spark

My wife and I are planning to travel abroad (from Canada) with our infant next year. What places do you recommend and are there websites that are good for this?

Answer
I've been to almost 60 countries on all continents (including Anarctica). I was an international Flight Attendant for 13 years and had most of my career and most of my travel before I had my own children starting at age 35. My husband was also a keen traveller before we met and we basically haven't stopped. I fly with mine about twice a year, between Europe and California since each was about 4 months old. We also have travelled within the U.S. and Europe with our little ones.

Where do I recommend? Depends on the season and the real question is not where but how. Actually, the only places I wouldn't recommend are locations with dodgy sanitation conditions and/or political unrest. Extreme hot or cold aren't ideal either. You have a lot of choice.

I personally, wouldn't want to go somewhere that you can't take advantage of what's on offer because of the little one. For example, you might not want to go skiing (unless there's a baby club and your child is old enough for it) or to amusement parks with tons of rides you enjoy. You'll be stuck with having to watch each other doing these types of things. Don't plan activities which wont accomodate a baby. You can dive and parasail again in a couple of years' time...

Please don't plan anything that needs constant relocating. If you want to see a specific region, park yourselves somewhere central, rent a car and make daytrips from that point. Repacking, checking in, checking out, etc. are a real pain with a baby.

If you go to a beach, stay ON the beach. Little ones are senstive to the sun and it can get messy with the sand. Don't intend on driving to a beach and hanging out there all day. It wont work.

Choose locations which are calm and family oriented. Don't have loud partiers and the thump-thump of a disco keeping your baby from sleeping. In Hawaii, for example, Kauai might be a better choice than Maui or Wakiki (which I don't recommend to anyone!)

Distance is not a problem for your baby (more a strain on your budget though) because small babies actually do very well on long haul flights.

I used to be a snob about All-Inclusive resorts (with that much traveling, I was a Youth Hostel addict!) but was I singing a different tune once I procreated. We moms need a break too. Food is taken care of and you can lounge around as you like or do whatever is offered right there. We were big Club Med fans but they jacked up their prices to the point I don't think it's value for money. We tried a couple of similar companies which were cheaper but we ended up with poor organization and bad food, among other complaints. Go onto Travel Advisor and get the real skinny on which ones are good. Take advantage of off-season deals.

We recently took our first cruise. This was a great way to travel with children because you don't really have to worry about the food and accomodation. You only have to unpack once (well, we stayed a few days in Rome prior). Only NCL, from what I understand, will have a baby club for really small ones but honestly, with an infant, you don't need it. Take him/her with you on shore excursions.

The drawback is that diapered babies and toddlers aren't allowed in the ships' pools. Also be careful of the age as different lines have different rules about the baby's age.

I honestly recommend to new parents to plan a trip before 8-9 months of age. I found that once the baby moves, travel, and everything else, become more complicated. By contrast, I would not advise going before 8 weeks of age. They are able earlier but honestly, the first two months can be tough so go for it and use that as your time frame. You have a nice 6 month window there. It is also much easier to travel if the child is purely breastfed (experience with both here!) and consider delaying solids until after your return, if the timing is right. If the child is bottlefed, get the kind of bottles which use disposable liners and use powdered formula. Traditional bottles are a pain to cart around, especially in the car or airplane.

Just as a general tip to make travel as well as the rest of your life easier with a baby, get a good carrier. By definition, that should be something that goes at least to age 2. Forget Bjorns and Snugglies and get something really comfortable like a sling, wrap, pouch, mei tai or ergo. These work much, much better.

Here are my flying tips if you need them eventually;
http://flyinwithchildren.blogspot.com

Some of my favorite sites;
traveladvisor.com
http://www.cruisecritic.com/cruisestyles/area.cfm?area=23
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49
http://www.clubmed.com/cgi-bin/clubmed55/clubmed/welcome.jsp

Have a good trip, wherever you decide!

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Is France a good holiday destination with 16 month toddler in March?

best places travel toddler europe image

Jane

Trying to preplan our summer vacation. Thinking of going to france but not sure. I have done a few package sun holidays and was not really excited by them. They sometimes seem the same thing in a different place. I am keen to do what is best for our toddler rather that what I love. Any ideas or suggestions for good holidays in europe.

Answer
A 16 month toddler is not interested in foreign travel.
Staying home, going to the park in nice weather or to granny at any time, and routine is what they like best.
Sun holidays in nice weather, where they can be outside all day and toddle in a little water is good, but France in March is likely too cold for that. Even on the south coast.

So maybe your toddler likes to stay with granny, or a friend, and you do the holiday you really want.
Or wait a little longer till the weather warms up.

If neither is a real option you might have to change your destination to the Canary Island, which are much farther to the south and warm enough to play out for the small one. Officially it is in Europe, but in fact it is just off the African coast.

What do I need to know about flying with a 1 year old for the first time?

zelkraps

I have a family emergency to tend to and I am going to be flying solo with my 1 year old for the first time on Sunday. I am reading up on flying with a toddler right now, but I was hoping to find someone who has done this and can share some tips with me.

Answer
Sorry to hear you're traveling under stress.

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly alone with my three children about twice a year between Europe and California, plus other flights...

First of all, it's more comfortable and safer if she has her own seat and you bring her car seat on board. If it's a long flight, she's more likely to sleep and less likely to disturb others. If you need the car seat at your destination This is the only way to transport it safely. Never check a car seat in as luggage! They are too often lost and/or broken in transit and sounds like you don't need another worry!

If you don't want to buy her a seat, find out if the flight is full and ask nicely at check-in if you can have an empty seat next to yours'. Bring the car seat to the gate even if they aren't positive you'll succeed because if you don't manage it, the car seat will be "gate-checked". This is no guarantee but better than luggage-checking it.

If she still fits in her infant seat and it's part of a "travel system" you're set. I didn't have a travel system so I snapped the infant seat into a stroller frame. Later on, with a convertible seat, I checked or borrowed a stroller at my destination and then strapped my car seat to a metal luggage cart. Secured with an extra bungee, I could roll this through the airport. I either wore my youngest in ring sling or she rode on this contraption. Some parents attach the car seat to the stroller, sometimes with bungee cords. See what works for you.

Instead of a fiddly purse and diaper bag, opt for a largesh backpack. Make sure you have enough diapers (you go through more than normally when traveling), a change of clothes and some never-been-seen toys. Pull these out as needed. A good time is on the tarmac, when she has to be seated (or in your lap). The TSA allows those flying with children to bring a "reasonable" quantity of liquids expressly for the child so don't fret over any drinks or milk you need. I've never heard of the "reasonable" level being challenged so just bring the snacks and drinks you need (please note, even if the TSA officer does object, they only take it away from you).

Please note that it's a myth the babies have to drink or suck on something for take-off and landing. If you have the car seat on board, make sure she's safely strapped in during those times. Just feed her when she wants. I rarely saw children having "ear problems" on flights and quite frankly, if they cried, it was for another reason. I would take mine to the ped to have their ears checked before flying. You probably don't have time to do the same but if she hasn't had a recent cold or other symptoms of an ear infection, she should be fine. The AAP simply recommends that the child be awake not on landing (which is too late) but at the TOP of descent, when you'll feel your own ears changing pressurization.

Practice changing her standing up before you leave. This was a great tip my cousin gave me. She's at the age where she probably wont want to lie down in a strange place and too big for most airplane changing tables. I would opt for the handicapped lav, which is bigger and do the deed there. This also solves the problem of separating from her. If she's asleep in her car seat, and strapped in, you can leave her but tell someone nearby or a Flight Attendant where you are. Once, my son woke up and the nice gentleman next to him pointed to the lav up front and told her where I was. Sure enough, I emerged...

For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. I go more into detail on all of the above. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com

Have a good trip and hope there is a positive outcome!

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