I Left My Heart In Old San Juan...

I was pretty excited – The San Juan Marriott in Puerto Rico invited my daughter and me down for a visit. While I always thought myself to be a pretty knowledgeable person, I truthfully knew very little about the destination for our mother-daughter working vacation, inclusive of 7 meagre tidbits:

-Ricky Martin is from Puerto Rico.
-Jennifer Lopez’s parents are from Puerto Rico.
-The characters in West Side Story are Puerto Rican.
-Nuyorican Soul (Nuyorican is a slang term for Puerto Ricans living  in New York) was a collective with some pretty classic House Music tracks (I had a brief club phase in the mid-’90s, don’t judge!)
-Bacardi Rum is Puerto Rican
-Puerto Rico is not an official US state, but Puerto Ricans get a US passport (Ricky Martin told me this. Seriously!)

Pretty pathetic, huh? But in the few short days we spent there, Puerto Rico captured my heart and we can’t wait to return with the whole family. I’ve been humming “La Isla Bonita” for a week, and I’m pretty sure Madonna must’ve written that song with Puerto Rico in mind.

In future postings, I’ll get into deeper detail about where we went, what we did, and what we ate, but in a nutshell  – here’s what I loved about Puerto Rico, and why it’s a great (and easy) destination for family travel:

-Every conceivable type of accommodation is available in Puerto Rico, for every budget. The San Juan Marriott is one of the nicer beach resorts Puerto Rico has to offer, but there’s something for everyone. Prefer to rent a villa, Puerto Rico has them. Are you an All Inclusive Resorts family? Puerto Rico has them. Want baby equipment rentals? Puerto Rico has them too.
-Americans don’t need a passport to visit Puerto Rico, and currency is all in US dollars. In fact, some don’t incur roaming costs on their mobile phones!
-There is no malaria in Puerto Rico, and the water is safe to drink from the tap.
-There is a wide range of food & drink options, and stores offer every necessity for babies and little kids at regular prices. The Walgreens across from the San Juan Marriott had organic baby food and even the Baby Mum Mum rusks that I couldn’t find in Florida. (BTW, Puerto Rican food? Aweome.)
-Pretty much everyone speaks English, although falling in love with yet another Latin destination has just reaffirmed my need/desire to learn Spanish.
-Puerto Rico offers great beaches as well as city stuff, tropical rainforest, cool caves, and interesting history. There’s truly something for everyone. 

Does It Get Any Better Than This?

Something wonderful also happened on our Puerto Rican mini-break, our mother-daughter bond got a lot tighter, and I fell madly in love with my girl all over again. The past year’s been tough with all the adjustments of becoming a big sister. As much as mommy-daddy time is essential to keeping your marriage healthy, I now see the benefits in having solo parent time as well. Sibcations? Kidcations? Expect an upcoming piece on that too.

Big thanks to the San Juan Marriott, Diamond PR, and the lovely #SJMoms who were also on this trip: Amber (Crazy Canuck Blog), Debbie (Delicious Baby), and Colleen (Travel Mamas).

The Pedal Powered Family...

We’re adventurous people. There’s nothing we love more than riding our bicycles long distances, crossing countries and continents by day, pitching our tent when dusk falls and getting up to do it all again the next day. 

In this way, we’ve covered over 50,000km through 31 countries. But is independent bike touring only for young singles? That’s certainly what many people would like us to believe.

“It’s so great you’re doing this before you have kids,” they tell us over and over, with a knowing look in their eyes that says all this cycling and camping will be impossible with a family. We’ve always hoped for just the opposite – that even with a baby, we could keep on bike touring. We decided to investigate. Not having kids ourselves, we turned to 3 families who have traveled by bike with their young children. Here are 3 of the tips they gave us.

GET A TRAILER – For short trips, you can put a child in a bike seat, but a trailer is essential for longer journeys by bicycle. In a trailer, there’s protection from bad weather and room for plenty of books and toys. Some trailers, like the Cougar Chariot, even have suspension to dampen vibrations. A trailer is versatile too. When you’re not biking, it turns into a stroller that you can take around towns.

DO A TRIAL RUN – Bike travel with babies will involve some new experiences for everyone so allow time to get used to it. A good plan is to start with short trips in your local area. “We started at home, riding around town without gear just to get all of us used to the trailer. Then we upped the ante to day trips out to lunch and back. Then we added camping at the end of it. Then we would do at least two days of riding back to back with camping between,” says Canadian dad Robin, describing how his family prepared for a bike trip to Iceland with 18-month old Ronan. “After a while, Ronan loved his trailer. He’d point to it and our bikes in the garage and say ‘ride’.”

MAKE TIME FOR PLAY – When you’re undertaking adventurous travel, you’ll often meet people who push themselves hard, with long days. That’s not fun or fair to a child. All the families we interviewed adjusted their routines to make time for playing during the day. “It’s definitely a balancing act. You have to keep going but you have to make sure to take plenty of breaks. We took rest days every 3-4 days to recharge which really helped,” says Elle Bustamante, who biked around Oregon with her 11-month old son Lennon. This sentiment is echoed by Reuben and Heidi, who toured in Canada with 16-month old daughter Eden. “Our daily routine included stopping at just about every grade-school or park we saw with a children’s playground. Making time for her to run around during the break and play on the slides and jungle gyms was extremely important,” Reuben told us.

Want even more tips on bike touring with babies? http://travellingtwo.com/resources/bike-touring-with-a-baby

The Beach Is Loved By Every Age...

I used to base my travel on the weather. If it was cold where I lived, I went somewhere hot. If it was hot where I lived, I went somewhere cool (as in hip, not chilly). But once you start including diapers and bibs on your packing list, it’s time to put a tad more thought into where you’d like to go.  Depending on your child – their age and temperament  – you can start to develop a timeline for your must-visit list. Some types of trips are more suited to babies, and others are best saved until kiddo is bigger. You have a lifetime of family travel ahead of you, so it’s fun to start dreaming now!

As a first-time mom, I would never have believed that the younger the baby, the easier the trip. But it’s actually true and the world is practically wide open if you want to hit the road when your bundle of joy is still a bundle. Small and immobile babies who are still strictly on a liquid diet can go pretty much anywhere, so long as they are close to you.  If they’re exclusively breastfeeding, it’s even easier.  Yes, of course you are sleep-deprived, but why not be sleep deprived somewhere pleasant? Plus, being away from home and all the looming household chores means you actually could sleep when the baby does.  Your only real concerns at this age are keeping baby safe from the sun (too little for sunscreen before 6mos.), and bug bites (use netting for over the stroller and crib and avoid the outdoors during dawn and dusk).

Once babies are older and mobile, your destination and surroundings require a little more thought.  Baby has probably started solids, and might be leaning more toward a daytime routine.  If you’re lucky, they’re probably going for longer stretches of sleep at night as well.  Do give some thought to baby-proofing your accommodation – a roll of duct tape in the suitcase means you can cover outlets and keep drawers shut.  Plan your outings around baby’s naps – it gives your day some structure. Most types of trips are still suitable at this age and city destinations are ideal, as baby is usually quite content to sit in a stroller or be toted around in a carrier. Meals can be messy when starting solids, so be sure to have an arsenal of bibs & wipes handy.

It’s a whole new ballgame once your cherubic baby becomes a busy toddler.  Pick places that you know will provide the room your tot needs to move. These days you may want to rethink that museum or art gallery, although beach and outdoor activities are ideal, and so much fun.  Again, be vigilant with regard to shoring up things in your room. If staying at a resort, your life will be easier if you choose one that markets itself to families. Not only will they have amenities for your child, which will be useful should you encounter bad weather, but your fellow guests will probably have children with them – or at least be anticipating having kids around them.  Hopefully this will reduce the amount of stink eye you receive if your angel decides to act like a devil – especially at meal time.

Get out and enjoy the world with your little one in tow! You don’t have to fly for hours to have a memorable trip, a night away in the country (or city) still counts. The great part about getting your kids used to travel at a young age is by the time they’re a preschooler and older, they’re great little travelers who enjoy going places with you.

Magic and Wonder on the Disney Cruise Line
By Sandra Halket   

I recently boarded the Disney Cruise Line on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise as a travel agent to conduct some research without my husband and kids. I repeat. No husband. No kids. With guilt and passport in hand, I boarded the Disney Magic on my 3^rd Disney cruise.

By the second day I missed my kids. To alleviate some of these feelings, I decided to investigate what they could do on our next family cruise, which I’ve promised to take before the end of 2010. I also realized participation is part of research, so I indulged and ordered at least 3 appetizers per meal,  tested out the spa and workout facilities onboard, and immediately ordered a Bahama Mama in a DCL keepsake glass.   

Chip & Dale & Clickthemouse.ca's Sandra Halket

The best thing that Disney Cruise line offers families is their kids clubs. Flounder’s Reef Nursery for ages 0-3, Oceaneer’s Club and Lab for ages 3-10, The Edge for tweens and The Stack for teens only. Kids have so many interactive activities and games to participate in, they probably won’t want you to pick them up. They can indulge in computer activities, movies, dress-up, crafts, books, toys and even character drop-ins. Each child is given a paging bracelet where they can contact you if they want to leave the kids club. On our last family cruise my children were 4 and 7 years old and they never “buzzed” us once. We couldn’t even get them to leave when the club was closing. They didn’t want to eat meals with my husband and I, go to the shows, or hang out at the family pool. Call it good or bad, but Disney knows how to entertain kids.

Kids activities:

Disney’s Oceaneer Club
For kids ages 3-7. An amazing play area designed like Captain Hook’s ship just for kids! Movies, dress-up, games, arts and crafts and special character appearances! 

Mickey’s Pool
Little ones can splash to their hearts’ content in this pool that’s made for play.

Character Experiences
There are so many Disney Characters to see on the ship. You can meet your favourite Princess, Captain Jack Sparrow, Donald and even the big cheese, Mickey. Don’t forget your autograph book and camera!

Flounder’s Reef Nursery
Ages 12 weeks to 36 months. Little ones feel at home in this Disney group-babysitting area, staffed by trained Disney counselors.

Family Activities:

Studio Sea
Have fun in this club with activities the whole family can enjoy, from karaoke to TV-style game shows and themed parties, all done the Disney way!

Goofy’s Pool
Goof around with the whole family in this pool that’s perfect for fun in the sun.

Live Shows
Brilliant Broadway-style productions with all the singing, dancing, costumes and special effects you expect in a Disney show.

Deck Parties
On Deck parties with friends, family and favorite Disney Characters! The fun starts with the Sail Away Celebration and you might even get to enjoy a pirate party and even see a special fireworks show launched off the back of the ship*! (*certain itineraries).

Movies
Catch the latest movies at the Buena Vista Theatre, with a wide-ranging program of first-run features and Disney favourites.

Now that the kids are taken care of, it’s time for some adult time because we deserve to have fun too. Sometimes we are so pre-occupied with our children’s happiness, we forget our own. On the Disney cruise, they take care of the kids for you so you can have a well deserved break from temper tantrums, melt downs and whiney complaints….but not your kids, right?

Just for adults:

Quiet Cove Pool
Enjoy the adults-only pool with two great hot tub spas and poolside bar.

Vista Spa and Salon
Pamper yourself at a spa with breathtaking therapies from faraway places, work out with a complete line of exercise equipment, take part in aerobics or yoga classes, and visit a world-class salon.

Cove Cafe
Take a break in at this cozy cafe with specialty coffees, cocktails, cognac, magazines, books and Internet connections.

Palo
Enjoy delicious Northern Italian cuisine at this elegant, world-class restaurant for adults only. Make your reservations early, this restaurant books up fast for a reason!

Cruise Highlights and Personal recommendations:

• Do not miss any of the shows at the Walt Disney Theatre. They are first class in their production and entertainment value.  
• Reserve Palo for dinner and brunch. The food and selection are amazing. Dining at Palo was a cruise highlight.
• Pirate Deck party. Fireworks off the back of a ship in the middle of the ocean, count me in!
• Heated ceramic chairs in the rainforest spa. If you need a break, this is the place to relax.
• Castaway Cay. My first time in the adults-only beach. I still prefer the family beach, but lunch was a treat with adults only. Tip: your kids can still be part of the kids clubs even when at Castaway Cay so you can check out the adults only beach if you wish.
• Snorkelling at the family beach in Castaway Cay was incredible. Disney hides special treasures under the water that are surrounded by hundreds of tropical fish. You might even see some familiar faces!

I am so excited to go on my next Disney cruise with the family. I cannot recommend this cruise line enough if you have kids because not only does Disney take care of them, they also take care of the kid inside of you too!

Disney Cruise Line has 2 ships, the Magic and the Wonder. They will be sailing on special itineraries in 2010 including the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. In 2011, Disney Cruise Line will launch a new ship, the Disney Dream and will add special itineraries including Alaska and the Mexican Riviera. Check out www.clickthemouse.ca for more information on the Disney Cruise Line.

Just Pray It's Clean...

It wasn’t until she was almost 3 that we really got started in earnest, and that coincided nicely with our trip to Florida and visit to Walt Disney World. I was sorely tempted to just throw back on the pull-up and take a break while we were away, but I was afraid of creating a significant setback.  We decided just to go ahead and be prepared for lots of accidents. Turns out it was a lot easier to potty train on the road than it was in our day-to-day life.

Firstly, since we were on the move so much, the first thing I’d scope out wherever we were was the loo.  And I quickly learned not to ask if she needed to go but tell her that I did and she had to come with me.  If there was more than a hint of reluctance, I’d come up with some sort of ploy that appealed to her nosiness – like I wonder what kind of tiles they have or if the taps are automatic.  Speaking of automatic, the automatic toilets kind of freaked her out.  I’d come up with some kind of toilet paper creation to cover the sensor, or else do it with my hand.  I just recently read somewhere (wish I could remember so I could provide proper credit) to bring stickers along to cover the sensor.  This is a great idea but I just know I’d forget to remove it and plus I’m always nagging my daughter not to put stickers on her dresser. But hey, when it comes to potty training, whatever works!

We were very fortunate in that we never came across any public toilets that resembled the one in Trainspotting.  However, I was always armed with my arsenal of wipes and gave every commode a good scrubbing before my daughter’s precious skin would touch it. (Note: Don’t flush the wipes!!)  I’ve seen portable potty seats and cute seat covers with characters on them – for me that’s just another thing to carry and remember. But again, whatever works.  Occasionally we’d come across a toilet with no seat, and I’d manoeuvre myself into some kind of yoga/gymnastic posture to allow her to hover.  It was during those moments she’d astutely mention that if she had a boy’s bits she could just stand.  Here’s hoping her then-unborn baby brother was listening!

Be sure to have plenty of wipes, and plenty of hand sanitizer with you as well. Not all public washrooms had soap, or the sink areas were particularly nasty.  A big thing for us was never grimacing or showing that restroom was gross in any way.  Like I said, we didn’t run across any that were Trainspotting-ish, but we would come across our fair share of smelly or, my personal favourite, someone else’s complete lack of hygiene or consideration for others (I’m not going to spell it out for you).  She’d say “Yuck!” and I’d think “F*#&!” but say “It’s not so bad. Here, mommy will clean it up.” 

I’m not lying when I say that potty training while on the road was easier than at home, but at all times I was prepared with:

-2 changes of clothes for her (remember socks & wipeable shoes are the easiest to keep clean)
-plenty of plastic bags to hold any “accidents”
-a couple of pull-ups if we were going on long car trips or would be out and about for her nap
-plenty of wipes (again – remember not to flush them!)
-plenty of hand sanitizer

If you’re just thinking about starting potty training before a trip, I would definitely wait. However, once you’ve started, there’s no reason to backtrack or put it on hold. 

By the way, the tiny toilets in the baby care centres at Walt Disney World were a big hit.  If only all public toilets were as clean as the ones there!

Beautiful Barbados Beach

In a word, Barbados is beautiful. Our stay there was our last trip before our daughter was conceived, and not only do we want to return, we’ve actually somewhat seriously thought about moving there.  In terms of an easy family vacation in the sun, Barbados has is all: it’s safe, it’s clean, and it has a wide variety of accommodation options for families. Unfortunately, one thing it’s not is inexpensive.  However, there are certainly ways to visit Barbados on a budget if that’s your goal. 

Health: 
Health care in Barbados is excellent and accessible, with two main hospitals on the island that are supported by two medical centres, dozens of private and public clinics, and over 100 doctors in private practice. Aside from having your routine vaccination schedule up-to-date, no additional shots are required to visit Barbados.  Some choose to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A & B.  The CDC reports no known risk for malaria in Barbados, but since it is a tropical Caribbean country, there is a very small risk of dengue. Protection from mosquito and insect bites is recommended. 

The water in Barbados is safe to drink, in fact it is some of the purest water in the world that’s fine straight from the tap. During our stay there we simply refilled from the faucet the large bottles of water that we initially purchased. The tap water tasted better than the bottled – no joke. 

Yes, The Water Really Is That Colour...

Safety:
The crime rate in Barbados is relatively low, although there are occasional reports of crimes against tourists. In Bridgetown, The Gap, and other busy places, take your usual precautions against pickpocketing, purse snatching, etc. Use your hotel room safe or safety deposit box for valuables. (If it costs extra, it’s still worth it.) You’ll probably get asked to buy drugs, although this is usually less likely when you’ve got kids with you. 

There is a concern that crimes against tourists are on the rise, and the Canadian government advises that “visitors are cautioned to avoid unattended or isolated areas, including beaches, at any time.”  In all likelihood, with your kids with you, you wouldn’t be engaging in any risky behaviour and for the record, in the two times I’ve been there I’ve didn’t once feel uncomfortable. 

Accommodation:
You can’t beat Barbados for the range of accommodation available – there are high-end resorts, mid-range hotels, smaller beach motels AND more villas, condos and other holiday rentals than you can shake a stick at. The range of prices is just as vast as the selection available, but prices do tend to start higher than other Caribbean islands. That said, we found an excellent self-catering hotel across the street from one of Barbados’ nicest beaches for a very reasonable price.  

Cool Caves Straight Outta Scooby Doo...

Transportation:

Getting around Barbados is very easy, as the public buses are new, large & clean.  There are bus schedules for the various routes island-wide on the Barbados Transport Board website, but few maps, route numbers or timetables are shown at bus stops.  There are also zillions of “taxi-buses” that blast reggae and follow the same routes as the public bus. These are great fun and the fare is the same as well, but they might not be the best option when traveling with little ones. They tend to get quite crowded, and they stop and start a lot. 

Taxis are on the pricey side but they are all new and very well-maintained - you should have no problems installing a car seat. Most taxi firms can negotiate a day or half-day rate if you’d like to tour the island at your own pace. This is a great way to do it with little ones in tow.  Car rentals are also quite expensive and keep in mind that driving is on the left side of the road (and you’re on the right side of the car!)  The roads are quite narrow and windy, there were a few instances where I was definitely gripping the seat. Keep in mind too that renting a deluxe, luxury car on Barbados is more like a compact car in North America, and availability is limited (book ahead!).  

Availability of Baby/Toddler stuff:
Buying baby and toddler supplies in Barbados could not be easier – you can even order online! All major US and UK brands are available but – and here’s that word again – pricey.  Diapers are almost double the price, although local brands are a little less. If your baby has a sensitive tummy or you’re picky about specific brands, you may feel more comfortable bringing enough formula from home.  Many of the supermarkets offer shuttle service to and from hotels, which can save the cost of a cab. 

There are two companies that rent baby equipment on Barbados – Baby A GoGo & Baby Gear Hire. 

I Want To Go To There... (thanks Liz Lemon)

Other Important Information:

Power:
The voltage on Barbados is 110 volts. Adapters for electrical equipment are not necessary if you are traveling from North America, although British and European visitors are advised to double-check their plugs and voltage requirements.
Currency:
The currency on Barbados is the Barbados or Bajan dollar, but US  dollars are widely accepted, as are British pounds and occasionally Canadian dollars. Although with Euros, CDN dollars and even Pounds Sterling you are better off exchanging to Bajan to get the best rate. The conversion between US and Bajan is fixed. Credit cards are widely accepted, and even traveler’s cheques if you’re old school like that. Lots of international banks have branches on Barbados. 

More Useful Articles:
Planning Your Vacation:  Keep Your Family Safe & Healthy On Holiday!
Where To Stay When Traveling With Babies & Small Children:  You Have Lots Of Options!
Feeding Your Baby On Holiday:  It’s Not So Tough, Honestly!

Practicing Balance Beam In Morón

One of the things we loved the most when we were wandering around the streets of Morón, Cuba, was the fact that we seemed to be the only tourists.  Unlike other parts of the country, visitors to the Ciego de Ávila province rarely leave their resort, or only venture out via organized tours. We saw a number drive by in one of the drive your own Jeep “adventures”, but in terms of foot traffic, we were definitely an oddity.

Bub was in his buggy, and M. was either on Dada’s shoulders or holding one of our hands. I’m not quite sure why, but as we were crossing a street I had a fleeting sense of panic that if one of the children became separated from us, how would we ever find them? I tend to be a worrywart about lots of things but this particular worry was a new one for me. None of us spoke Spanish – lots of Cubans speak English so that wouldn’t have been a huge concern, but we were way far away from the resort area we were staying at.

We had our cel phones with us. One thing that’s changed since we had kids, is I now leave my cel phone on while away from home. Regardless of the roaming cost, I feel I need to be reachable, especially if my husband and I are not together. Of course, M. can barely remember her home phone number, never mind my cel.  So when we returned home, I turned to the Internets, and of course there are a number of options to save ourselves the worry of being separated from our kids while traveling.

Hey Mabel? Cool Label.

Some parents suggest writing your cel number on your child’s arm, or pinning a card with your info onto their shirt or sticking a card with your deets in their pocket.  These are good, cost-effective suggestions, but I’m not certain I want to scribble on my kid (especially when I’d rather she not write on herself), and I’m not sure I’d trust someone to notice something pinned or in her pocket. Mabel’s Labels have handy-dandy wristbands that you can customize to put your phone numbers and other pertinent information. Best of all, they’re resistant to water, sunscreen, chlorine and sweat – great for crowded water parks and the like.

It’s also a good idea to have all important information about your child (and you, for that matter), written down in one place and stored somewhere safe.  Great tips include scanning your passport and emailing a copy to yourself – so you can access it anywhere there’s an Internet connection.  There’s a company called Forms 4 Travel that sells different forms that you can fill in stuff like your child’s blood type and medical history. I’m not sure you need to shell out for a form but it is a good idea to have all that sort of relevant info together and accessible, should you need it.  Most definitely if your child has any medical issues that would require urgent attention.

A Wonderful Visit To Morón

It’s not my intention to be a Negative Nellie or a Debbie Downer. It’s just as with everything to do with travel with children, the more prepared you are, the better!

A Different Kind Of Honeymoon

I’m not sure what I was expecting the first time it was suggested that we visit Honeymoon Island while staying with relatives in Florida.  Maybe Niagara Falls by the beach? Tons of neon and beach shops and fringed cover-ups? Nothing could be further from the truth.

On our first visit, my daughter was just 20mos. and we brought our gaggle of nephews, ranging in age at the time from 5-12.  As the boys and my husband headed out to roughouse with a ball, my mermaid/toddler headed straight for the water, and it wasn’t until she’d waded in shoulder-high that she allowed me to take her hand.  The water was calm and warm, and the sand was soft and white.

A little over 2 years later we returned – with her little sandcrab brother in tow. There are lots of shells, so a vigilant eye is necessary for those orally fixated (I’m looking at you, Bub!), and water shoes may help you to relax about the possiblilty of cut feet.  This being November, the water was a little less warm, but it still felt great to have a splash. And, as was our experience with other Gulf Coast beaches (Madeira & Clearwater), we saw dolphins splashing and playing.

Honeymoon Island is actually a state park. You pay a per small, per vehicle fee to enter, and there are lots of trails to explore in addition to the great beach. Chair and umbrella rental is available, there’s a decent snack bar with clean, baby-friendly washrooms, and public showers.  There’s a picnic area and playground towards the North end of the Island. In Florida, it’s the closest I’ve come to a private beach, and the fact that it’s part of a state park means it’s clean, accessible, and well-maintained. There are even recycling bins, something of a rarity in Florida.

One thing to note: our first visit was in August, and they had posted a mosquito warning at the entry. We didn’t notice a single one while we were on the beach, but were fairly swarmed at the end of our day when we were showering and getting ready to go.  Our last visit was in November, and there was no such warning posted. The beach was fine but some of the trails were quite mosquito-y. Definitely bring repellant if you plan on doing some serious hiking.

Beautiful Italia

Expense aside and despite what I do for a living, many of my friends think it’s crazy to travel to Europe with kids under 12. “Why bother, they won’t get anything out of it” and, “What in the world will I do with them once I’m there?” are the most frequent concerns.

Very young children will not remember specifics about one tourist site or another -or even particulars about a given country in my son’s case-but I’ll argue that even babies and toddlers benefit from the flexibility required to travel far from home to a distinctly different environment.

School age kids and up, on the other hand, will get the educational opportunity of a lifetime.

My favorite destination with kids in Europe is Italy. Here’s why:

Loitering
Loitering is an accepted and widely embraced pastime in Italy. North American families get very caught up in moving from one activity to another. It’s refreshing to be immersed in a culture that happily wanders without purpose and enjoys simple pleasures like relaxing in beautiful place for an hour or two. Parents assume kids will be bored “doing nothing”-but I assure you, it is amazing how they learn to entertain themselves in these settings. Last summer when we traveled through France, every night our group of boys (ages 5-10) would meet kids from all over the world and play tag in a random square. Electronics were nowhere to be found and not missed. The same thing happens when we spend time in Italy.

Loitering In Italy

Piazzas
I wish we had Italian-like piazzas in American cities-a place without cars where the community congregates over coffee or again, over nothing at all. Other than keeping your eyes on your kids if it’s crowded, there’s nothing better than appreciating a cappuccino or glass of wine while your kids happily run around in a stunning, historic setting where you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.

Gelato
Milk allergies aside, what child (or adult for that matter) doesn’t like an amazing gelato? When we are traveling, finding the best gelato in town is an activity in-and-of-itself and part of our daily ritual. Fear not, with all the additional walking you do in Italy, gelato eating is a guilt-free pastime.

Kid-Friendly Food
Pizza and pasta are staples on kid’s menus all over the world. Italy has an endless supply of each and what makes eating so wonderful here is that many restaurants will go out of their way to make something special for your kids. Eating in a foreign country can be stressful. Not here.

Italians Love Children
I’ll never forget the trip we took to the Amalfi Coast when our son was a toddler. We rented an apartment in a small seaside village and every day one of our neighbors would be waiting for him with a treat of some sort for the day. It didn’t matter that they didn’t speak a word of English and none of us speak Italian proficiently. Moreover, it didn’t seem to matter when we walked by-someone was always there with a treat!

Our clients continually come back with stories around how well their children are treated all over Italy; this warm and welcome attitude is a big part of why the Italy family travel experience is so magical.

Iconic Sites
As kids get older and start to learn about European history in school, it’s entertaining and meaningful for them to see sites they read about in school first hand. From the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Colosseum in Rome, the opportunities to recognize something are plentiful.

Variety of Experiences
There are a wide variety of possible travel experiences Italy within a relatively small geographic area. The beach, countryside, cities, and mountains all exist in abundance in Italy and each “category” has outrageous places to explore. I’ve spent weeks in Italy and I have yet to see so many of the appealing regions and attractions.

Italy Loves Families

Places for Kids to be Kids
If your summer consists of ample swimming time to keep everyone happy, then stay at a resort or villa in the countryside with pool. It doesn’t mean you have to spend all day, every day there, but having a pool available to break up sightseeing time is a perfect set-up. Italy is filled with parks, playgrounds, and gardens where kids can run around and be kids-just like at home.

Variety of Family-Friendly Accommodations
Italy has a variety of family-friendly accommodation options. From apart-hotels in cities to countryside farm stays, there is something for every budget and travel need. I like a resort setting for individual families featuring all the essential onsite amenities without the isolation and expense of a villa.

Casa Lontano Da Casa

Wonderful Structured Activities
Cooking classes, farm tours, gladiator school, art classes, and even just walking tours are plentiful in Italy and a wonderful way to incorporate more structure activities in an itinerary. We just launched a new Italy kid-friendly guides list where we’ll feature some of the best guide and activity options in the top tourist areas.

Amie & Family In Italy

Are you inspired yet? Italy is the largest and most popular destination we cover on Ciao Bambino. Check our list of recommended Italy kid friendly hotels-everything on the list has been thoroughly vetted (I’ve personally stayed at many of these properties). Our family travel blog has corresponding articles on the best things to do once you get there.

Amie O’Shaughnessy lives with her 7-year-old son and husband in Oakland, California. She is the Editor of CiaoBambino.com, a worldwide traveling with kids site.

Playa Pilar

There’s a public bus that goes from resort to resort along Cayo Coco and then Cayo Guillermo, ending up at Playa Pilar. The fare is 5 CUC (roughly $5 USD) return, and kids are free. We were expecting a large coach, which all the tourists were carted around on, but when a 16 passenger van pulled up I gulped at our large beach bag and stroller. Somehow it all fit and we were on our (very bumpy) way. (*Note* the public relations person at our hotel mentioned that if the bus fills up at the resorts previous to yours, they simply won’t stop at your resort. You have no way of knowing if this will happen! Ours was 4th from the top so we took our chances.) The ride from Cayo Coco took about an hour.

Once you leave the bus, you walk along a wooden bridge for a fair bit, and when you come to the end, this is what you see:

Walkway To Playa Pilar

The sand is so very soft, and even though it was quite windy on the day we went, the slope into the water is so extensive that by the time the waves hit the shore they’re very gentle. Apparently, on calmer days, small catamarans and glass bottom boats are there to take you out to the reef. Unfortunately we brought our lifejackets and snorkel gear for nothing.  The wind was cool, but that made the water seem warmer.

Wind Schmind, Into The Water She Goes

Lounge chairs are 1 CUC for the day (approx. $1 USD). The washrooms and showers are very clean.  Bring your own or tip the lovely lady for some toilet paper.  My almost-9-month-old found the sand quite delicious (in spite of my best efforts!), but there’s a restaurant there in case you fancy a snack, a beer, an ice cream, or a coffee.

The Most Delicious Sand

You’re given a schedule for the return bus trips to the resorts. I was a little concerned about what would happen if there were too many people to fit on the bus back, but the woman assured me that we’d be fine. Sure enough, a large coach came for the final departure at 5pm, and we returned back at our hotel by 6.

Adios Playa Pilar

The beach at our resort was lovely, but Playa Pilar was a great little escape for the day.

This post is part of Photo Friday on Delicious Baby.

A Pre-Dinner Walk In Varadero…

If you think that traveling with your baby, toddler or young child is going to be a piece of cake, you’ll be disappointed.  If you think you can still laze on the beach and linger over leisurely meals, you’ll be disappointed.  If you’re hoping for a break from your everyday routine and a chance to spend some real quality time together as  a family, well you’re in luck! 

With Have Baby Will Travel, I’ve created what I hoped to find as I researched the heck out of traveling with baby.  Since our first trip was Cuba, I was really afraid of forgetting something important and not being able to find it there.  So I developed an extensive packing list (and then an extensive carry-on list) to help keep myself (and now hopefully you) organized.  For more quick tips, I wrote the 5 Ts To Happy Travel With Your Tots, and was so happy to share it on Steven & Chris!  Earlier this year I wrote The 5Rs For Rosy Road Trips (clearly I have an issue with alliteration!), just in case you were thinking of taking off by road instead of by air.

Does the thought of all you’ll need to do to feed your baby while you’re away make your head swim?  Please check out Feeding Your Baby On Holiday.  Overwhelmed by the thought of airport security? I recently wrote the 3Ps To Passing Security With Babies & Young Children (there’s that illiteration again!)

As 2009 comes to a close, I’m excited about everything that lies ahead for Have Baby Will Travel in 2010.  I’ll hope you’ll invite me along as you begin your journeys with your new families!

Friendly Or Fearsome? From afar it's hard to tell...

This was my introduction to Clearwater Beach, Florida.

A little over 2 years later we’d be back with our then 20-month-old daughter. This visit was in the sweltering heat of August and at the time the water wasn’t quite so clear. We visited at the tail end of a delight known as “red tide“, so the water was murky in addition to being as warm as a bath.

Not-So-Clearwater Beach...

However, the past two Novembers when we’ve gone down to Florida we’ve always organized at least one day at Clearwater Beach. The sand is like baby powder, and there are fewer shells than at nearby beaches we’ve visited. I’m not sure if that’s due to a higher population of shell collectors doing their rounds, but regardless it’s nice to worry a little less about stepping on a broken seashell.

Another Little Mermaid...

We’ve always found Clearwater Beach to be a little windy, which is great for keeping cool but it does mask feeling the deceptively strong sun. I recommend renting an umbrella instead of one of the cabanas.  Due to the wind, we couldn’t position the cabana properly for shade or else it would have launched like a parasail.

The playground at Clearwater Beach is extensive and shaded, so it’s a great diversion if you need a break from the water or you need to keep the little ones busy while you shake out the sand and pack up your stuff.  The snack bar (yes, it has high chairs) offers your usual beach fare of hot dogs and french fries, but we did have a salad that wasn’t too bad.  The public washrooms are plentiful and there’s a change table in the washroom of the snack bar.  The showers are chilly and can remove the bulk of your sand but your fine sandy coating is pretty much yours to enjoy until you can attack it with a washcloth!

Clearwater Beach is definitely one of the busier beaches along the Gulf Coast, but it’s certainly fun and very baby/toddler/little kid-friendly.  I really feel lucky that we can make a day or two of it every time we head to Florida to visit our extended family.

Waiting For Our First Flight - 2006

I do tend to blather on and on – so i’m not sure how well kept these secrets actually are, but if you’re planning an upcoming adventure with your baby, here are my Top 3 Best Kept Travel With Baby Secrets:

1. Before your trip, get baby used to room temperature bottles and food.  On top of everything else that you’re juggling, heating the baby’s bottle at the time it needs to be heated is a hassle you can live without. In preparation for your journey and while you’re en route, pre-measure your formula mixture so you can just add bottled water you purchase after clearing security. Check the Sodium level on the brand you purchase (most are absolutely fine).  You only need to be concerned if it’s more than than 20mg of Sodium per litre.

2. Dress baby in layers, with built in feet if possible.  I learned this the hard way during our last trip when we were all bundled up with hoodies and cardigans – baby included.  When clearing security, everyone has to remove their jackets and shoes – baby included – and it’s already “fun” keeping track of your own stuff, never mind fiddling with tiny sweaters and footwear!  Use pullover-type sweaters for babies and young ‘uns, and a footie sleeper or jumpsuit keeps tiny toes warm without extra bother.

3.  Distribute all of baby’s things amongst all of your luggage. Especially if you’re headed somewhere that it may be difficult to get the things you need, it would be a real drag if the bag the airline lost was the one full of baby’s necessities.  Spread out, at least you’ll have enough to tide you over so you’re not having to find a store straight away. This is a good tip for all travel parties, as my dear friend learned the hard way after spending a week in her husband’s clothes and a borrowed swimsuit when her “misplaced” bag never turned up.

Now it’s my turn to tag others for their secrets.  I can’t wait to hear from:

Glennia from The Silent I
Debbie from Delicious Baby
Evelyn from JourneyWoman
Jen from Two Kids And A Map
Lorraine from Keeps Me Smiling

Technorati code: ZDTN5FB8A3J9

Tigger & Pooh & Megan Too

Tigger & Pooh & Megan & Mama Too

I usually can’t stand places that are geared specifically toward “family fun”. I get irritated with the lines, rude people, misbehaving children (yes, my own included), and shockingly expensive (and unhealthy) food.  So, maybe it’s because I was expecting the worst that I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe it’s because it had been a brutal year and we were all just so grateful for an escape together. Maybe it’s because I’m softening my stance as a travel snob and succumbing to the ease and comfort of places that cater to families.  We enjoyed our visit to Walt Disney World – and here’s why…

WHY WE LOVED WALT DISNEY WORLD:
It was clean, spotlessly clean… My usual experiences with theme parks involve accidentally stepping in something sticky and/or gross, risking multiple wasp stings as I try to use the garbage cans, and trying to convince my public-toilet-phobic daughter (in full potty-training mode at the time) that the washroom’s not THAT dirty.  I appreciate the effort all the Cast Members (disney-speak for employees) make in keeping the areas clean, and I’m happy not knowing why there weren’t any stinging bugs.
It was completely accessible… Even the most severely disabled person could enjoy some rides, and because the parks are so accessible for people who really need that access, it made getting around with the minor encumbrance of a stroller a total breeze.  For those traveling with babies and toddlers, each park has a baby-care centre with quiet and cool spots for feeding and changing baby.  The tiny toilets went over extremely well with our potty-training miss.
It had healthy options! And recycling! I was pleasantly surprised at the healthy food options available – they weren’t just an iceberg lettuce afterthought - and all kids’ combos automatically came with veggies and milk instead of fries and pop. During that whole trip, Walt Disney World was the only place in Florida we saw that recycled, and had separate bins for recyclables.
It wasn’t THAT expensive… Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, things at Disney cost money.  However, I was surprised at how often I WASN’T a victim of sticker shock when I looked at a price tag or a menu.  Plus, the quality of Disney stuff is really good, when you compare it to other food and shopping options nearby.

Free Mouse Ears

But it’s not perfect… for the life of me I’ll never understand why a grown woman would butt in line in front of a toddler to hug someone in a Winnie The Pooh costume, why parents would wait for eons in line (in the blazing sun) so their child can get an autograph from a movie character (umm – you know that’s not really Ariel, right?) and I didn’t love that a few rides let out conveniently into a gift shop.

A Waltz With Prince Charming

My advice for Disney skeptics?  Arrive prepared – I learned the hard way that you have to plan for certain things months in advance (ie. character dining), and have an itinerary roughly sorted out beforehand.  Disney is more than just the Magic Kingdom and you’ll need to figure out just what you can and can’t miss.  My friend Sandra runs her own travel agency called ClickTheMouse and I was lucky to have been “armed” with her Tips For Walt Disney World With Toddlers before our visit.

Worth Every Penny...

We somehow managed to visit Florida this year without a visit to the Mouse, but it’s not just my daughter who wants to return.  I can’t wait to see  my little bub in a pair of mouse ears.

A "Feesh"

When my husband and I first started dating, I thought it was a pretty good score that he had a brother who lived in Florida.  A few years later, when his dad moved down, I figured we’d be visiting several times a year – after all, it’s practically a free vacation right?

Well, real life happens, and in the almost 8 years my husband and I have been together, we’ve been 4 times: once pre-kids and 3 times with them.  I learned that living in a vacation destination does not mean you’ve on holiday all the time, and that visiting family does not always a vacation make.

But we love going down to visit Grandpa and Uncle and our cousins! So we’re trying to make it a yearly thing.  In order to preserve everyone’s sanity, we break up the visit by heading out to the beach for a night or two.  Last year our trip was longer, so it was Disney and Treasure Island.  This year we were down for less than a week – so it was a lovely night in Madeira Beach.

As with most of the Gulf Coast, the sand at Madeira Beach is white powder.  There are more shells than at Clearwater Beach, but not as many as Treasure Island.  Be sure to tread carefully and keep a watchful eye on baby – our bub’s motor control was just at the point of grabbing a shell, and of course it was headed for his mouth!  I was ever vigilant about keeping his sandy hands out of his mouth, but a sandy foot went straight in when I turned my head for a second!

Madeira Beach

I was absolutely delighted to see dolphins playing in the water, just a few feet from shore.  My daughter really didn’t seem that impressed, but I’m hoping the memory of it will be more meaningful as she gets a bit older.  I was 29 the first time I saw wild dolphins in Jamaica, and seeing them in Florida again just blew my mind.

In the two miles of coast that makes up Madeira Beach, there are 4 public areas – all of them have parking, 3 of them have restrooms, and two of them have showers.  It’s a really great little stretch of beach that offers many options for families – lots of condos, hotels and motels.  It’s close to both the Tampa and the St. Petersburg airports, and it’s on the little Suncoast Beach Trolley zips right through.

But I digress.  This is about flying with babies and young children during H1N1, and we’ve just done it and lived to tell the tale.

An airplane truly is just a flying tube of shared surfaces and recycled air, and have alway been ideal places to pick up a cold or flu virus.  It takes just one person to cough into their hand and then take the tray table down for the next passenger in that seat to catch a cold.  As gross as it may be to think about, it takes just one person to not wash their hands properly (or at all – GROSS) after using the washroom to open the latch on the overhead bin for the next passenger to get the Norwalk virus.

In all our previous flights, I’ve just maintained our usual regimen of hand-washing/sanitizer using, plus nagging my daughter to keep her hands out of her mouth.  This time around, even though I KNOW that catching H1N1 is just as likely as any other thing we’d usually come into contact with on a flight, I was a little freaked out.  I specifically went out and purhased anti-bacterial wipes and once we were settled into our seats (no small feat considering Southwest’s crazy boarding procedure – but that’s another post), I took out the wipes and gave everything a thorough wiping – the armrests, the tray tables, the window shade, everything we’d be likely to touch.  Then I gave all of our hands a once over.  (Then, because I was worried about the chemicals in the anti-bacterial wipes, I used the baby’s sensitive diaper wipes to go over our hands again).

My husband jokingly mentioned that I was kinda giving off a freaky Howard Hughes-type vibe, but he went along with my anti-bacterial mission.

Do we have H1N1? No – not yet anyway (fingers crossed). Do we all have colds? Yes, in varying degrees but we could have picked them up anywhere.  H1N1 is a global issue at this point – no need to stay home out of fear.

See also:
Is It Save To Visit Mexico With A Baby?
Planning Your Vacation: Keep Your Family Safe And Healthy On Holiday
The 5 Ts To Happy Travel With Your Tots

He remembers eating sweet cereal as a treat, and the family treks to the grocery store to get it. He remembers long days at the beach, the tang of the sea air and the tightness of his skin after a day of salt and sand. He remembers dropping water balloons off the balcony with his brothers, and his oldest brother falling off the rings on his back into the sand. He remembers hoping Santa would be able to find him if he wasn’t at home.

They remember her squeals of joy as she was released on the beach for the very first time, bolting like a crab across the sand. They remember how she would fall instantly asleep as she was snuggled in a towel after a dip in the sea or the pool. They remember her look of wonder as she watched the palm trees dance in the breeze. They remember strolling through magical cobbled streets, and how a construction worker put down his jackhammer to come over and tickle her chin.

She remembers a little boy’s yellow bucket, and her blue one. She remembers that the sea was chilly, and the pool was warm. She remembers chasing a ball with her daddy, and wishing a tree house “Good Morning” every day. She remembers a boat ride with singing puppets, and having dinner with a princess. She remembers being dazzled by a faraway castle, and that the horse for her carriage ride was named Prince. She remembers ice cream with sprinkles for dessert.

They remember how he slept through his first plane ride, and his first taxi ride, and his first meal in a restaurant. They remember how he discovered being propped up to look around, and how then and there he refused to lay flat in his stroller forever. They remember watching them doze off on a horse and carriage ride, and seeing them giggle together for the first time.

They love that she’ll remember the scent of the ocean and he’ll remember the feeling of sand in his toes. They love that they may not remember all the sights and sounds and tastes, but that all those experiences will shape their lives. And they love that even though she won’t remember her naps on the beach, or he won’t remember being fascinated with a fountain, they will never forget.

The inspiration for this particular post comes from Julie Cole from over at the Mabelhood – her hilarious post Have Breasts, Will Travel, caught my eye for obvious reasons and I laughed out loud at the end.

Her story did get me thinking about a number of things.  We flew with our daughter as a lap infant for 3 return flights (and technically she was a toddler for the last 2). I was no longer nursing by the time we traveled with her, so it was easy enough during takeoff and landing to either pop a bottle in her mouth or use her pacifier.

I did nurse the bub on his first flights when we went to Quebec City, but not during takeoff and landing. We were fortunate to have a spare seat on the way out and were able to bring on his car seat. As we were leaving it was time for him to eat, so I nursed as everyone was boarding (thankfully Porter still has family pre-boarding), and he completely passed out and slept in his car seat for the remainder of the flight.

When we were returning home, the flight was full and I could see the look of anxiety on the face of the gentleman sitting next to my husband, who was holding the bub as my daughter and I got settled.  His face wasn’t the only anxious one – with us both having aisle seats, and the ‘side’ that the bub needed to feed from would mean that my boob would practically be in his lap.  I thanked Heaven for small mercies – one being that he wasn’t sat next to me so it would actually be in his lap – and two, that the bub actually fell asleep in his father’s arms before takeoff, and remained blissfully so until our seatmate found accommodation more to his liking. I was able to nurse in (relative) privacy until yet again, he passed out for landing.

The reason babies need to be sucking during takeoff and landing is because the Eustachian tubes in their ears are narrower and have more difficulty adjusting to the pressure.  I didn’t see the point in waking him to nurse, as he seemed quite comfortable and figured he’d let me know if he was uncomfortable or in pain.  The difficulty I have, however, is coming to terms with the fact that if baby is nursing or having a bottle, they’re not in the position they should be during takeoff and landing.

I’ve been told on every flight w/a lap infant to be holding the baby in ‘burping’ position, as that is the safest way to position them.  Unless they’re sucking on a pacifier, how are you supposed to feed them while they’re being held that way?  Well, you can’t.  I’m not really sure what I’m trying to get at here, I guess I just wanted to put it out there that before your first flight with baby you will hear until the cows come home that baby needs to be sucking during takeoff and landing, and as soon as you board, the flight attendant will tell you how to hold him or her during that time, and eating’s not possible when you’re being held that way.

The flight attendants were very pleasant, and essentially added that as mother, I know best.  Because he slept, I felt fortunate that I didn’t have to decide to break the rules.  Would I have, had he been awake and in pain? All signs point to yes.

Edited to add - just flew to and from Florida and nursed in both airports and on our flight home.  Am happy to report that no one blinked an eye or raised an eyebrow – and we weren’t thrown off the plane!

Tulum - Riviera Maya

It is scary, and the fact that it’s now a global pandemic makes it even more so.  It’s widely believed that H1N1 originated in Mexico and Bonnie wrote to me wondering if it’s safe to bring her baby there…

I love your web site. I especially love people’s reviews on their holidays at specific hotels and destinations. I wanted to ask if you have any info on your site about travelling now that there’s the swine flu.

My cousin is getting married in Dec in the Mayan Riviera. My husband and I have been debating on whether it would be safe to travel there with our baby who will be 10 months old in Dec. I’d love to hear/read your views on it. I’ve tried doing some google searches on the saftey of travelling with a baby there but I can’t really find anything.

I’m also thinking about our upcoming winter travel, and I’ve always looked to the Riviera Maya as a great option.  But is the risk of traveling there greater now that we have H1N1 to deal with?

Back when H1N1 was known as Swine Flu, and the initial hysteria was swirling surrounding the outbreak, I will admit that I probably would have changed my travel plans if we were headed to Mexico.  However once the CDC lifted their travel advisory and the panic subsided, I figured Mexico was just as safe as any other destination and I was pleased to see that Peter Greenberg, travel editor for CBS News, agreed with me. (Especially since now Mexico is such a deal!)

But now that cold and flu season is upon us, there appears to be a resurgence in fear about H1N1.  But it’s a global pandemic now, and you’re essentially just as much as risk at home as you would be on vacation.  Those most likely to have complications from H1N1 include children under 5, and I shudder to think about my 5-month-old (or 3.5-year-old for that matter) coming down with such a serious flu.

That said, would I travel to the Riviera Maya this December to attend a family wedding? Absolutely.  I’d be extra cautious, of course.  Be scrupulous about hand washing and using hand sanitizer.  Get extra travel insurance and read the fine print (the knowledgeable Peter Greenberg strikes again re: out clauses because of the pandemic).

Consult with your doctor beforehand regarding any vaccinations you may decide to get (some choose to get Hepatitis A&B vax + flu vaccine will be out by then), and be sure to pack your usual arsenal of meds “just in case” (I’m talking Tylenol & anti-histamines here).

Have a wonderful trip with your baby, Bonnie.  A family wedding is a great excuse to take your first trip together – you might even have a few babysitters on hand!

Related Articles:
Planning Your Vacation: Keep Your Family Safe & Healthy On Holiday
Feeding Your Baby On Holiday: It’s Not So Tough, Honestly!
Mexico Trip Reports: First Hand Reviews From Parents Who’ve Traveled With Their Tot

Why Quebec City?  Well lots of reasons really.  I haven’t seen much of this beautiful country of mine… at just over 2mos. postpartum, I wasn’t terribly eager to hit a beach… and I’ve been totally jonesing for Europe, but that’s just not in the cards right now… I’ve always heard that Quebec City is a little slice of Paris here in Canada, and now I know it’s true.

A beautiful doorstep in Vieux Quebec

One thing that struck me was how lush and green everything is. The rolling green hills of the Plains of Abraham demand to be frolicked on, and the centrepiece of the city, the beautiful Chateau Frontenac, sits atop the city like a princess’ crown.Most of our trips have involved sand and sea, not cobblestones and cannons, but our daughter had a wonderful time.

A princess and her castle...

And the baby?  He just enjoyed the ride…

Riley enjoys his horse & carriage ride...

I WAS a little concerned about how we’d get along with a baby in a stroller when most of the streets were narrow and cobbled and we weren’t bringing our big jogging stroller.  We did bring the carrier, but like his sister, the bub is not happy to be in it for very long.

In spite of the cobbles, Quebec City is quite stroller-friendly.  Even the narrowest streets have some form of sidewalk, and there are always ways around the myriad of staircases.  You’ll definitely get your excercise on some of the hills - but if you absolutely need a break, you can bring your stroller on the Funiculaire so long as it folds. 

It wasn’t that long ago that the typical Quebecois family had 6 or more kids, so it’s no wonder that French Canadians embrace children.  Traveling with a baby so young presents a couple of challenges, but fortunately, feeding him wasn’t one of them.  Since we’re still exclusively breastfeeding, I didn’t have to worry about bottles and formula and sterilizing.  The inclement weather made nursing outside a little uncomfortable at times, but there was nary a stink eye in sight.  In a lot of restaurants, this decal was placed prominently in the window – a welcome sign for those with infants in tow!

Tracey went to Germany with her husband and baby boy.  They rented an apartment for part of their stay, and they had a wonderful time.  Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us, Tracey!

Berlin like a Berliner

Last year my husband and I took a trip to Germany with our 8-month-old son. We had extended family there and we felt it was a great time to travel – before the little guy could walk or voice his displeasure with the choice of activities.

Tracey In Berlin

We knew traveling with a baby was going to be different and we’d have to make some compromises. The little guy had a regular routine at home and we decided the best thing for our trip would be to maintain a couple of key aspects of that schedule. So each day we got to have a relaxing breakfast while he had a quick morning nap. During the day we saw the sites while he happily cat napped in his carrier. And each night we enjoyed a nice home cooked dinner and adult conversation after he went to bed. This worked particularly well when visiting with friends and family.

Our trip included stops in Grunstadt, Chemnitz, Nurenberg, Munich, Berlin and Neuschwanstein in the Bavarian Alps. For most of our trip we were staying with family. But for Berlin we were on our own.

So we booked an apartment instead of a hotel. This gave us a kitchen so we could have a nice breakfast each day, and make dinner each night (although we usually had a late lunch out and didn’t need dinner). An apartment also gave us a bedroom in which the little guy could retire each night while we ate, played cards, people watched, etc.

A late, light dinner on our balcony...

It was easy to find and book an apartment. There was a wide variety of flats throughout Berlin available for all sorts of budgets. We wanted something in central Berlin and close to the metro with a bedroom, laundry, kitchen, crib, high chair, etc. In the end we booked online through Mowitania (an apartment agency). Our cost was very affordable at 80EU a night, including taxes and the agency fee.

Our little 1 bedroom flat was on the 4th floor of an old apartment block in the former East Berlin neighbourhood of Friedrichshain. The building was one of the few in the area that had survived through WWII and communism and it was full of character. The neighbourhood was a real fun eclectic mix of people and right outside our door were grocery stores, street side cafes, restaurants, clubs, shops, coffee, internet, etc. During the day it was just a short metro ride to all the key sites. And we in the evening we enjoyed people watching from our balcony.

Entrance hall to our Berlin apartment...

It was of course a long walk up those stairs with a baby in a carrier after a long day of sightseeing and there was no hotel staff or room service at our beck and call. But we had the freedom to make our own meals, do laundry and make ourselves really at home – all at a lower cost than most hotels. We felt like we were seeing Berlin from a Berliners point of view.
-
About Tracey. Tracey regularly blogs about things that interest her at Ramblings of TJR – marketer – mom – tv addict. https://tjrramblings.blogspot.com

I think the answer is yes, and no…

Traveling with a 2.5-year-old...

Traveling with a 2.5-month-old

In the grand scheme of international cuisine, the French are up there with their Michelin stars and their Zagat bias… Now Quebec City is a little slice of Paris with plenty of charming cafés and elegant bistros, but when you’re feeding a family (that includes a sometimes fussy preschooler), you don’t always want charming or elegant.  You need fast, you need fresh, and you need healthy - at least most of the time.  Notice I said ”most”…

Yes, I fed my daughter this for lunch.

Now before I get into the decent restaurants we ate at during our stay, I want to get into the good stuff – the junk!  As much as the French are known for their fabulous food, the French Canadians are also renown for their comfort food.  So we had to seek out poutine and tourtière.

If you’re unfamiliar, poutine is a glorious combination of french fries, gravy, and cheese curds.  True poutine is all about the curds – don’t be fooled by wannabes with their grated cheddar.  They may melt better, but the test of an excellent poutine is the squeakiness of the curds.  Our horse & carriage driver (the groomsman?) recommended Chez Ashton on Grand Allee, and it did not disappoint.  Daughter had the bebe size, and we finished hers off anyway.  I’ve always been such a stickler for nutrition where she’s concerned but somehow I leap off the wagon when we go away.  I guess that’s a whole other post!

Chez Ashton is basement level with a few stairs going down and then a few more to where you order.  A little tricky with a stroller but more than manageable for us.  It’s one of the few places where English wasn’t widely spoken, but do not fear as there’s not much on the menu besides french fry related items, with big pictures  to point out what you’re after.  I was tempted to get the poutine with peas to try and alleviate my mother’s guilt, but really that would have just resulted in uneaten peas left glumly in the leftover gravy.  Leave the guilt at home and enjoy your poutine!

Just like Grand-Mere used to make...

In our quest for tourtière, we ended up at a little boulangerie on Rue Saint Jean, just behind our hotel (The Delta).

Tourtière is a French Canadian meat pie that is usually a combination of ground pork and beef, always served at Christmas but often for special occasions all year round.  Ours had little chunks of potato in it, which apparently means it is a recipe from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean - Thanks Wikipedia!

Boulangerie On Rue Saint Jean

The tourtière was super-cheap ($7.00 for the whole pie) as was everything at this little spot.  The atmosphere was somewhat lacking, but we wanted fast and close-to-home and this place fit the bill.  I like to smother my tourtière with ketchup, which I know irritates purists to no end – je suis desolee!

Last, but certainly not least, the chocolate.  My 3-year-old daughter is an outright chocoholic.  When I have to resort to a bribe, chocolate is my weapon of choice, and it never lets me down.  But a treat is a treat, and when a preschooler is a good sport about traipsing along cobblestone streets and looking at castles, she deserves a reward.  A chocolat château in Vieux Québec fit the bill!

Chocolat Château in Vieux Québec

For more fun travel photos visit Delicious Baby!

Riley Enjoys His First Flight

I was a little concerned about how we’d navigate the narrow streets and cobblestones while pushing a stroller.  Aside from a few steep (energizing!) hills, we got along great!

Riley Enjoys Vieux Quebec

We stayed at the Delta, which was a decent, centrally located hotel that served us well as a home base.  It was just a 5min walk to Grand Allee, which is chock full of restaurants and an easy walk down to Rue St. Louis and Vieux Quebec.

Riley Enjoys the Grand Allee

The weather was the one thing that wasn’t so great about our trip, but every day it cleared up enough for us to be out and about!  A highlight for our entire family was the horse & carriage ride.

Riley Enjoys His Horse & Carriage Ride

For our first getaway as a family of four, I think our trip was a rousing success. Even with the weather not cooperating, it was great fun just hanging out in the hotel room, eating snacks and watching silly TV.  Did  you know that Winnie The Pooh can speak French?! Tres bon!

Riley Enjoys The Hotel Bed

 

For more fun travel photos, visit the Delicious Baby travel blog!

Can fancy-schmancy be family-friendly?

 I was more than pleasantly surprised… Flying Porter was a great experience – and I can’t remember the last time I actually enjoyed a  flight (kiddos in tow or not!)  Granted, it’s only 90min to Quebec City and there was no issue of customs to deal with, but I would go out of my way to fly with them again.

With tots in tow, luggage allowance is a concern, and Porter’s is as generous (if not more so) than most major airlines.  2 pieces per passenger weighing a total of 50lbs max. (and you are allowed to combine your allotment amongst your party) with a great gate check system.  They didn’t blink an eye at our stroller and myriad of car seats, and even had the thick plastic bags to protect our daughter’s seat as we were checking it. 

Lucky for us, our flight out wasn’t full, and we were able to bring our baby on board in his ‘bucket’.  Now I had planned on nursing him for takeoff and landing, but was notified by the flight attendant that he would be safest in his seat, and if he was to be in my lap, regulations suggest I should hold him to my shoulder so I couldn’t feed him anyway.  (I smell a future piece on this – if babies should be sucking during takeoff & landing but you’re not supposed to hold them that way, is a pacifier the only or safest option? Hmmm.)   Luckily he passed out just as we were taking off and did not wake up until we had checked into our hotel (yes, I know I’m lucky – he’s a great sleeper).

Baby Riley's First Flight

Anyhoo, the flight attendants couldn’t have been friendlier or more helpful.  We actually got fed a light lunch (on the way back free beer & wine – woot!) and Porter does still allow pre-boarding for families with young children.  The jury is out for most families if that’s a good idea but it totally works for us – allows us to get organized.

The one caveat is the washroom on the plane.  It’s so small that taking my daughter in was a feat of human Tetris and there’s no way my 6’7″ husband could ever fit.  There’s no change table either, so you’d have to resort to the dreaded ‘diaper change on seat’ if you absolutely had to.  Be sure to change baby right before you board (nice big space in the departure lounge washroom) and work “The Secret” to avoid in-flight blowouts! (Hey, it can’t hurt.)

One thing I couldn’t get my head around was actually getting to the Island airport.  I wasn’t sure how big a deal the ferry would be with our kids and bags and car seats and stroller in tow.  We actually parked on the island ($100 for a week) but now I see a taxi would have been fine as there are carts on the mainland side and everything is very accessible.

We enjoyed our experience flying with Porter so much, we’d go out of our way to fly with them again.  For Quebec City it was WAY easier than going out of Pearson, they were direct flights at civilized times, plus the fare was our lowest option.  Hmmm – I’ve always wanted to see Boston – maybe there’s my excuse to fly them again!

In two sleeps we will be taking our first trip as a family of four!  We’ll be visiting beautiful Quebec City with our new addition – baby Riley will be 10.5 weeks. 

Why Quebec City?  Well, a number of reasons… 
-I’m embarrassed at how little I’ve seen of my own country
-I’ve heard it’s fantastically beautiful
-At just over 2mos. postpartum, I’m not exactly eager to hit a beach
-I haven’t yet gotten around to getting Riley his passport

We’re flying Porter, and will be staying at the Delta. 

If you have any suggestions of must-dos or must-sees, please send them my way!

Related Links:
Quebec Trip Reports
Canada Destination Information
Your First Vacation With Baby!

As a seasoned 2nd-time-mom (for a whole 2 months now!), I can honestly say that this is actually one of the easiest times to travel with your baby.  However, when my first-born was 11 weeks, leaving the house was a big deal for me, and getting on a plane was definitely unthinkable!  Right now your baby is immobile, on a liquid diet only, not yet on a schedule or in a routine from which deviating could cause meltdowns, and relatively easy to distract.

Exclusive breastfeeding is by far the easiest way to feed your baby while you’re on the road, but if you’d like a bit of flexibility, you’ll need to bring your bottles and pump.  If your accommodation has a microwave, you may find it easiest to pack your microwave sterilizer, even if it is a bit bulky.  You can store your gear in it during transport.  If that option doesn’t appeal, there are now microwave sterilizing bags that can do the job with less bulk.  However, if there’s no access to a microwave, be sure to pack a travel kettle.  Clean out the bathroom sink and sterilize by rinsing it out with boiling water.  Wash and rinse the bottles and pump components and then rinse again with more boiling water from the kettle.  Allow to air dry on a towel.  Don’t forget to pack your bottle brush and a small bottle of dish soap!

Airlines have differing policies regarding extra baggage, and a lap infant usually does not get a baggage allowance.  You may be allowed an extra piece of carry-on.  If you’ve purchased a seat you can definitely bring your approved car seat on board.  If not, airlines cannot (should not) charge you extra for checking a child safety seat.  If yours cannot be used without the base, you can’t use it on a plane.  Pack your main pump components in your carry-on and if your stroller folds, you can gate check it.  All other baby gear (playpens, etc.) will be included in your luggage allotment.  Double-check with your airline before you leave as each company’s policies may differ slightly.  If you can, call ahead and try to reserve a bulkhead,  and arrange for a bassinette.  This would certainly be your easiest option if purchasing a seat for baby is not feasible.

I love hearing about families hitting the road (or skies) when their baby is little.  I often wish I was less fretful when my daughter was a newborn, and took more advantage of my first maternity leave.  Have a wonderful trip!

Other useful articles:
Feeding Your Baby On Holiday
The 5Ts To Happy Travel With Your Tots
Carry-On Packing List

Have Baby Will Travel’s readers sent in their dream destinations, and the top 5 is a very diverse list of places. If it’s truly your dream to go somewhere with your family, make it happen. If money’s the issue, start saving now. If it’s time or distance, start planning now. The experience of traveling with your kids is so worth the effort.

5.   Jamaica…
Beautiful beaches, lush countryside, great coffee and even better rum – Jamaica is a great choice for a family getaway. There are numerous accommodation options – from private villas to family-centred all-inclusive resorts, it’s malaria-free, and there are no language barriers. Jamaica would also be an easy option if it’s your first trip with your tot. A bonus? You’re much less likely to be hassled for ‘herb’ if you’ve got your kids in tow.

4.   Visit Extended Family Overseas…
This dream came up so frequently but for different destinations – and it is a dream of mine as well. For me, it’s Scotland and England, but the Have Baby Will Travel readers are an international bunch, with family in Poland, Bolivia, South Africa, Japan, Czech Republic, France, Pakistan, The Philippines, Holland, Spain, Chile & Croatia! I get why a trip of this nature seems daunting – visiting family often means staying with them and you’re not always sure of the facilities. Add in multiple locations with different family members PLUS the extra time you’d want to spend there and a trip ‘home’ is more of a big deal and probably not an annual event.

3.   Italy…
While there’s no shortage of adult enjoyment to be had there, Italy is a wonderful place to bring your kids – the top reason being that Italians absolutely love children. Art, architecture, history & nature – not to mention the ultimate toddler-friendly food – Italy is well worth a visit with your family in tow!

2.   Australia…
To us North Americans, visiting Australia seems so daunting due to the task of getting there. And since traveling Down Under would take so long, you’d want to extend your stay to make the most of your journey. Once you’re there though, Australia’s possibilities seem endless – both underwater and on dry land.

1.   Walt Disney World…
By a landslide, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is Have Baby Will Travel readers’ #1 destination! I have to admit, this really surprised me – or it would have had we not gone just a few months ago. Growing up, I thought Walt Disney World was just another theme park (and I guess I was spoiled since we went a number of times!) On this trip I realized that to fully experience all that WDW has to offer, you need to really plan ahead AND that the costs can really add up. If a trip to The Mouse with the kids is truly your dream, my suggestion is to book with a Disney specialist, who can find ways to save you money, and plan your itinerary so you don’t miss out on anything. Believe it or not, Walt Disney World can be done on a budget!

Wherever your dream destination happens to be, you can bet it will be that much more special once you see it through the eyes of your child!

Health:
Michael Moore may have exaggerated a little, but Cuba’s health care IS good, and tourists are well looked after should they require medical attention.  Most hotels and resorts have medical staff on site (or at least on call).
Aside from having your routine vaccination schedule up-to-date, no additional shots are required to visit Cuba.  Some choose to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A & B.
The CDC reports no known risk for malaria in Cuba, but since it is a tropical Caribbean country, there is a very small risk of dengue.  Protection from mosquito and insect bites is recommended.
The tap water is potable, and safe for bathing, toothbrushing, washing dishes, etc.  Bottled water (readily available) may be preferred for drinking and preparing formula, mixing cereal, etc.

Safety:
Tourists are definitely safeguarded in Cuba, almost to the point of being insulated.  The biggest scams you are likely to encounter are sales of counterfeit cigars and being offered a  ”tourist menu” (at tourist rates) for meals and drinks.  In Havana and other busy places, take your usual precautions against pickpocketing, purse snatching, etc.  Use your hotel room safe or safety deposit box for valuables.  (If it costs extra, it’s still worth it.)

Accommodations:
In Cuba, you can stay in a hotel/resort (beach is usually all-inclusive) or at a Casa Particular, which is where someone is legally licenced to rent out rooms in their home to tourists (and often provide meals at reasonable prices).  Unfortunately, there really isn’t a self-catering option in Cuba, as groceries and supermarkets as we know them aren’t as accessible there.  There are no beachfront Casas (I looked) but the resorts all vary in terms of size and amenities.  Note that a 5 Star in Cuba would not pass for a 5 Star in most other Caribbean destinations, but we’ve stayed at 3 Stars and been perfectly comfortable.  In keeping with the more recent demand for “boutique hotels”, there are a number of new resorts being built around the island, and others are being refurbished.

Transportation:
If you booked your holiday as part of a package, you’ll likely be taken to your hotel in a modern, air-conditioned coach or mini-van.  Taxis are all state-licenced, new and in good repair (the red ones at the airports are bigger) – and you should have no trouble installing your car seat or booster (although some are lacking the anchor bolt for the tether).  The Viazul bus service can get you around the island inexpensively in big, clean, air-conditioned (freezing!) buses – remember it’s a big island – and car rental is pretty expensive and should be booked in advance.
Sometimes you’ll hear of ‘private taxis’ where you can be driven around in one of the cool ’50s cars, but this is illegal and, if caught, can get your driver in a lot of trouble.

Availability of Baby/Toddler stuff:
You’ll have better luck in Havana in terms of finding diapers and other baby goods, but selection is meagre and prices are high.  If you’re fussy about the brands you use, you’re best to bring yours from home.  A Casa owner or restaurant dining room would be only too happy to help prepare plain purees if your baby is on solids, but double-check to make sure they don’t add seasonings or salt.  In terms of gear rentals like car seats and playpens – not available in Cuba.  Most hotels have high chairs and/or boosters (the higher the Star the more likely they’ll have several) and can usually supply cribs or playpens with advance notice.  *Note – our tiny 3 Star had a brand new crib & bedding.  Our large 5 Star’s crib we needed to shore it up ourselves for safety.  If in doubt (and if co-sleeping’s not for you), bring your own!
Even things like sand toys are best brought from home, if you want to avoid paying $20 for a bucket and shovel in the hotel gift shop.  My packing list (which I get teased mercilessly about) is based on our first trip to Cuba – so you can start from there and edit as needed.

Your example LIVES...

Other Important Information:

Power:  Cuba is 110 volts/60Hz, but most hotels and resorts have 220 volts or both.  Double check with your hotel in advance.
Currency:  Here is where traveling to Cuba can be a bit of a pain.  Visitors use the Convertible Peso (CUC) – which is roughly par with the US dollar.  However, don’t bring US dollars to spend there, you won’t be able to.  In fact, you can’t use any credit cards that are issued with American banks, or American Express traveler’s cheques.  Your best bet is to bring Canadian dollars or Pounds or Euros and exchange once you’re there.  ATMs are starting to sprout up around Cuba, but again, your debit card can’t be with an American bank and you have to make sure you have an International PIN.  Luckily, there’s not that much to spend money on – especially if you’re staying all-inclusive – so you likely won’t need more than a few hundred dollars for tips, cigars & rum!  We’ve brought what cash we figured we’d need (try to bring new-ish bills if possible) and taken cash advances on our credit card at the hotel if necessary.  If bringing cash makes you nervous, do bring traveler’s cheques (how retro!) but make sure that they are not Amex and that you have the receipt of purchase with you also.

Viva Cuba!
We were truly amazed by how our daughter was welcomed in Cuba – she was treated like a rock star! Both times when we returned home she seemed disappointed that not everyone on the street would stop to fawn over her.   Right now, Cuba is affordable, safe, and clean – highly recommended for a family vacation!
 
More Useful Articles:
Planning Your Vacation:  Keep Your Family Safe & Healthy On Holiday!
Where To Stay When Traveling With Babies & Small Children:  You Have Lots Of Options!
Feeding Your Baby On Holiday:  It’s Not So Tough, Honestly!

Baby On The Beach - Varadero, Cuba

But once you’ve added diapers and sippy cups to your packing list, you have more than just your whims to consider when selecting a destination… That beach might be surrounded by jungle that’s filled with malaria-carrying mosquitos; reliving that moment in history may involve trekking through territory that’s politically unstable, and that fabled spot may be so high it’ll cause altitude sickness.

With so much to think about in terms of choosing a suitable place for your young family, I’m developing new destination pages for the Have Baby Will Travel Blog called Fast Facts For Families. They’ll cover the basics for determining if a destination is appropriate for family travel – or at the very least is baby or toddler friendly. With the basics covered, hopefully you can more easily determine if that place is right for you. Each Fact Facts For Families Page will cover health, safety, types of accommodation available, transportation options, the availability of baby and toddler supplies and gear, as well as other important information such as power and currency.

These criteria may seem a tad dull to some, but it’s my hope that having all the facts close at hand might encourage you to choose somewhere you wouldn’t normally consider. Or, at the very least, have no unpleasant surprises once you get there.

Cuba will be our first entry.  You can find the post here… as always, your input and feedback is much appreciated!

Check out some great travel photos over at Delicious Baby!

Waiting For Our Flight To Varadero - 2006

If Murphy’s Law applies to you as much as it applies to me, then you know that whatever can go wrong usually will.  What that means in terms of travel with a baby or toddler, is that in spite of your careful planning and preparation, you’ll probably be presented with a mess to clean up and/or a meltdown to cope with. If you’re lucky (and I think we’ve already determined that you aren’t!) these “presentations” will happen in front of the smallest audience possible.

FACT:  at 11 months my daughter had never had a wet diaper leak until 5 minutes before boarding our very first flight with her.  FACT:  my daughter had never thrown up from eating too much until she gorged herself on peas from the hotel buffet.  In both cases, I was prepared for the cleanup, but in the case of the latter, I was absolutely stunned by the reaction of those around us.  Stunned in a good way. I actually don’t know what our fellow diners thought of our baby’s Exorcist impersonation, as we were surrounded in seconds.  While I cleaned up Megan, all evidence of the pea frenzy miraculously disappeared.  In fact, it was the genuine concern and kindness shown by the wait staff at our resort in Cuba that was the clincher in making me fall in love with the culture and country – but that’s another story… 

Dirty diapers, vomit, ear-splitting screams – this is the trifecta of unpleasantness that we parents must deal with from time to time, and usually (hopefully?) in the comfort of our own homes.  But not for Michael B. of Nashville – his son Andrew unleashed all 3 on a flight from Hell to San Diego.  Unfortunately, Michael and Andrew weren’t met with an army of cloths and soothing Spanish reassurances, they were subjected to eye rolls, loud sighs and, of course, the unsolicited (and possibly counter-productive) advice of drugging his kid with Benadryl.

Susie S. was headed home to Atlanta from Boston with her 2 boys, and couldn’t fit into the washroom to change her youngest son.  According to Susie, the diaper was “legendary” and having to change him out in the open created a reaction of nose-holding and gagging amongst her fellow passengers. She said they were all mad at her.  They should have been mad at the aircraft manufacturer for designing such an inaccessible washroom on the plane.

The only time I’ve read horrifically nasty comments on an article or blog post other than on breastfeeding in public or circumcision, is regarding flying with an infant.  Even the New York Times’ Frugal Traveler Matt Gross’s column was bombarded with anti-breeder/entitled-parent rhetoric that tries to pass itself off as what the majority of the traveling public is thinking, when he wrote about flying to Italy with his infant daughter Sasha.  But I believe these grouches are the minority.  Some people are actually helpful – and friendly!

The day before Thanksgiving a few years back (notoriously the busiest travel day of the year) fellow passengers created a circle around Beth from Santa Monica’s toddler son Chris to prevent him from taking off at the gate.  It had been a travel day from Hell that involved 4 layovers due to cancellations… Flight attendants came to the rescue with blankets and wet paper towels to help Lisa C. tidy up after her 1-year-old daughter threw up everywhere en route home to Honolulu… Flight attendants also placated Joan H.’s toddler with cookies and juice after a meltdown while boarding a flight.  Joan was close to suffering a meltdown herself as she was 6 months pregnant flying with her 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son – headed home to Colorado after her grandfather’s funeral… I’m pleased to say the tales of helpful people aren’t as few or far between as you might be led to believe.

My original intention for this bit was to be a funny and light-hearted look at the embarrassing things that kids do and we clean up as parents, and how not to let that deter you from hopping on a plane with your tot and exploring the world together.  I’m kind of glad I just couldn’t get it out that way.

The weather’s still bad and the news is gloomy; time to escape with the family for a week and decompress on a beach – right?  Unfortunately, the economy is just as nasty as the weather and the news, and many are opting for “staycations” or canceling their travel plans altogether.  For me, neither are appealing options…  If I stayed close to home I’d never relax or let go of the chores that need tending to.  If I cancelled our trip, I’d be even more miserable. 

Back pre-baby, I was the cheapest traveler around.  I flew on rickety airlines at awful times, I stayed at hostels and tiny b&bs, and I’d live for days on end on nothing but bread, cheese, and wine.  But now that travel involves more than a backpack on my back and time on my hands, I’ve found it a challenge to travel on the cheap while still maintaining a certain level of comfort and safety for my daughter.  However, I’ve now got a number of trips with her under my belt, and I’ve leaned some money-saving tricks along the way. 

The economic crisis has affected the travel industry as well, so if you’ve already socked away your travel money, you may find it goes further than you were expecting it to with reduced prices on different types of packages.  However, if you’re building a trip from scratch, here are some ways to fly, stay, and eat for less…

Flying for less:
If you’re close (even close-ish) to an American gateway, it’s often worth the extra travel time to fly out of The States.  For example, flying direct to Tampa from Buffalo added about 2 hours to our journey (we got lucky at the border) but the total cost for all 3 of us to fly was less than the cost of one fare on a Canadian carrier.  Long-term parking from Buffalo airport worked out to less than $10 a day.  Some hotels nearby even offer free parking for up to 2 weeks (plus shuttle to and from the airport) if you stay with them the night before your flight.  Just a quick peek at some fares on US carriers:  Buffalo to Tampa return: $215 USD,  Burlington, VT to Cancun: $404 USD, Bellingham, WA to San Diego: $178.50.  All prices quoted are taxes-in!

If a US gateway is not a possibility for you, keep your eyes peeled for seat sales and charter sell-offs.  Also note that a mid-week departure is often significantly less than Saturdays or Sundays.

Staying for less:
They say that that travel is one industry that has been completely revolutionized by the Internet, and the Internet is your friend when looking for deals on accommodation.  If you’re looking for a small, family-friendly motel or b&b, chances are they have a website and chances are there are reviews to be found online as well.  One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that the hotels that are part of a package also book separately and the rate is often reduced.  This works out well for you if you’ve done your research and found a great flight online!  The types of deals usually to be had are 7 nights for the price of 5 and amazing mid-week deals as well.  As with any brochure, the web site of any hotel is meant to sell the property and may very well glamorize the rooms and amenities.  This is where online reviews come in.  Once you’ve sorted out your flight and hotel, you can then prepare to save money elsewhere.

Eating for less:
In a word: self-cater (ok, technically that’s two!)  This was never an appealing option for me as I thought cooking on holiday was not my idea of a good time.  However, the more we’ve done it, the more I prefer it.  Not only do we eat healthier and save lots of money, I’ve also come home at least the same weight as I left (I’ll admit to a bit of a self-control issue when it comes to buffets).

In order to make your self-catering experience as stress-free as possible, locate the nearest grocery store online before you go and have a few snacks and essentials on-hand so you’re not scrambling as soon as you check in.  We also keep our breakfasts and lunches very simple, and go out for nice dinners.  A loaf of bread, a few spreads, a box of cereal, milk, juice, cold cuts, fruit and pre-sliced veggies (and often prepared salads) have kept us full and satisfied with a minimum amount of fuss or dishes.  We’ll indulge in a couple of great brunches to fulfill the requisite vacation bacon & eggs, but otherwise our mornings are less rushed and if our early riser decides to rise extra-early, we’re not constantly checking the clock until the restaurant opens! 

Beer and wine are usually available at grocery stores in most other countries, and usually at incredibly low prices.  If you’re not renting a car, have one stay back with the kids while the other shops and grabs a cab back to your hotel.

The bottom line:
Travel is a luxury, and tough times often means giving up luxuries.  But for me, travel has become a necessity, so I have to find ways to make our money go further.  While this has sometimes meant staying in minimalist accommodation and/or curtailing fancy activities, my daughter only knows she’s on a fun adventure with mommy and daddy and has their full attention.  She was just as happy on the beach with a bucket & shovel as she was at Disney World, and so were we!

First Vacation With Baby - Varadero 2006

A vacation with baby can seem daunting.  After all, travel can be stressful in itself, throwing diapers and spit up into the mix doesn’t necessarily sound like much fun!  Leaving the house is often a major accomplishment in the early days of mommyhood.  But once you’re out and about, you can’t imagine ever staying housebound.  And once you’ve gone away with your baby, you can’t imagine ever experiencing somewhere new without her.   
 
Backpacking and hostels or exotic locales and boutique hotels may be postponed for the time being.  In choosing a destination, your first concerns should be safety and health.  If you feel the need for a little sun, there are many places in the Caribbean and South America that are peaceful and clean – at many price points.  The Southern U.S. is also a great option.  Europe can be pricier and trickier, but it can be done.  Deciding where to go is part of the fun!  Pick a place you’ve always fancied, and tailor your itinerary to baby’s routine and your needs.

You’ll be spending a lot of time in your room now, so it’s worth spending a little more to make sure it’s nice.  A kitchenette comes in handy, but it’s not necessary.  You will need a fridge – not only for baby’s food, but for your drinks as well!  Unless you’re arranging for babysitting, your evenings will be spent in once baby’s in bed.  Try to get a room with a balcony or terrace.  See if your hotel offers cribs, but if you’re concerned, toss a playpen onto your already giant pile of luggage.

Right, luggage… You’re going to have a lot of it and it will be heavy.  If baby’s traveling on your lap, you won’t get extra luggage allowance.  Some airlines will nail you with overweight charges, but you might get lucky with a sympathetic check-in person.  Either way, you shouldn’t be charged for checking a car seat or gate-checking a stroller, and your bags will be considerably lighter on the way back.  Make a detailed packing list or print one off the Internet.  How detailed depends on how easily you can buy what you need.  Florida?  No problem.  Cuba?  Not so easy. 

The travel days are tough, so be armed with extra everything – diapers, wipes, distractions, clothes (for you too!), and nourishment for baby.  Delays are common, and airports aren’t the best places to buy baby things.  Once you get where you’re going, the journey becomes a distant memory, and your new vacation memories can start!  Your holiday routine will fall into place if you go with the flow. 

A vacation with baby provides the opportunity for you all to connect away from the busy-ness of day-to-day life.  Take the plunge, and try a family getaway.  It doesn’t matter if baby won’t remember, because you will never forget it.

Whenever I talk about traveling with babies (which is a lot), for the most part I come across like-minded parents who have concerns but love the idea of travel with their young family.  Occasionally however, I’m met with a look of horror, or – at the very least – disbelief.  The concept of a family vacation does not appeal to them, often for the same reasons.  Because I hear and refute these ‘reasons’ now and again, I’ve decided to do it in print once and for all…

• “They won’t remember it…”
  I’ve never fully understood this reason, since your baby won’t remember anything before the age of two.  But just because they won’t remember, doesn’t mean you don’t cuddle and read to and sing to your baby… Plus, who cares if they won’t remember?  You’ll never forget that time together as a family, and new places, faces and foods are good for everyone – including baby.
• “They’d be bored/they’d rather be with Grandma…”
  This may be true with older kids if you haven’t given them a say in the itinerary, but for the most part, kids want to be with their parents.  I know the time will come soon enough when my daughter won’t be able to stand me, so we’re saving romantic getaways for later.  Plus, with our busy life, I’m lucky to see my daughter 3hrs a day, and weekends are always filled with chores and errands.  I want to be with her when I’m not working – and fully enjoy this quality family time.
• “It’s not really a vacation…”
  True – it’s a different type of holiday.  You’re up early and have routines to maintain, diapers to change and meals to think about.  But the thing is , you have to do all that stuff anyway, you might as well be somewhere nice!  Plus, sticking to a routine means you all know what to expect, gives you a basis to plan a few outings, AND, not having household chores means you actually CAN sleep when the baby does.
• “It’s not safe…”
  If you’re traveling with kids, you’re likely not going to plan a getaway to a war zone.  Even if you weren’t taking them with you, I’d hope that as a parent you’d choose a safe destination as well.  Even the most accomplished worrywart (me) can do a bit of research to figure out hospitals, health insurance, vaccinations, and preventative measures.  If you take the same health and safety precautions that you would at home, there is no risk in traveling with infants and toddlers.
• “If they act up, we’ll bother people…”
  Kids act up.  If you’re so afraid of annoying someone, how do you ever leave the house?  You’ve spent good money, you’ve come prepared, and in spite of all your best efforts, if your crying/fussing/whining child bothers someone, there’s really nothing you can do.  Just as there’s nothing you can do if a loud/smelly/drunk/offensive person is bothering you.  In the long run, the journey is the shortest bit of the big picture, and fortunately the most quickly forgotten.

So please, if you love the idea of getting away with your young family, don’t let the naysayers dissuade you.  A new parent is under a lot of pressure to begin with, and something like travel gives you the chance to escape together.  And repeated travel at a young age creates a great young traveler.  At not-quite-three, our daughter knows getting on a plane means going somewhere fun… but most of all means Mummy and Daddy get to stay with her for a whole week, and I love that she loves that the most.

Now I’m all for mini-breaks of weekends away somewhere close, but “relaxing at home”?  Not so much.  I’d never stop thinking of all those things I ‘should’ be doing, and then feeling guilty that I wasn’t doing them since I was “relaxing at home”.  Because travel has become such a big part of my life, I no longer look at it as a luxury.  For me, going to new places with my family has given us all uninterrupted quality time together, and dreaming of new places to visit has become a welcome distraction when the busy-ness of work and home gets to be too much.  Those first trips when our daughter was a baby gave me the confidence to do more of it, and also the experience to feel confident doing it for less.  Safety and comfort are priorities when traveling with small children, and you can still maintain maybe Prosecco taste on a beer budget.

Destinations:
Without a doubt, some destinations cost more than others.  And some are super-cheap but cost a fortune to get to.  The trick is to find a place that’s easy to get to AND not outrageously expensive once you’re there.  And they do exist… In the Caribbean, Cuba and the Dominican Republic offer the biggest bangs for your buck.  Mexico is not as cheap as it used to be but there are still ways to stay there inexpensively.  Florida can still be done on a budget, and if you fly from the States (if you’re lucky enough to be close-ish to a US airport), fares are so low they’re funny.  Pre-baby, my husband and I did a week on the cheap on the beautiful (and notoriously pricey) island of Barbados.  The time you invest in researching your trip can save literally thousands, so long as your heart’s not set on a 5-star resort.

Accommodations:
All-inclusives are very convenient, but if you add up how much food and alcohol you typically consume (or should consume!), they may not be the most cost-effective option for your family.  The least expensive way to stay somewhere is usually in a rented condo or house, but these types of vacation properties are often not centrally located and a rental car would be a necessity.  If you’re hoping to avoid the expense of car rental for the duration of your trip, your best bet is to find a small, self-catering hotel near to where you’d be spending the majority of your time. (For us that’s the beach).  The Internet is your friend here, as even the smallest motel or b&b often has a website and you can probably find online reviews as well.  Self-catering never appealed to me before (who wants to cook on holiday?) but it is so easy when traveling with kids.  Grocery shopping in a foreign country is fun and cereal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch is pretty much the extent of our vacation cooking.

Reservations:
The travel industry is one that was completely revolutionized by the Internet, so use it to your advantage in booking things as well.  Packages may be convenient and seem to be good deals, but often, individual hotels offer bonuses and specials that aren’t filtered down to the packages.  Most airlines offer web-booking discounts, and sometimes the added bonus of seat pre-selection.  Don’t forget about the discount booking engines as well.  I was hesitant, but we scored a killer deal on car rental in Florida through Hotwire.com and I extended a business trip in New York City with an amazing hotel deal on Priceline.com.  The kicker is you don’t know whom you’ve booked with until you’re paid in full, but since I wasn’t too picky (you pre-select certain requirements), the perceived risk was well worth the money saved.  Lastly, if you’ve got reward points or miles, check the balances.  I was sure the last time I checked one of mine I had enough points for a car wash.  I checked it just now and I have enough for us to fly to New York!

The best part about traveling with your kids, especially when they’re small, is they won’t know (or care about) the corners you’re cutting in order to make the trip happen.  On our most recent trip to Florida, our daughter was just as happy on the beach with a pail and shovel as she was at the Magic Kingdom, and we all felt better after eating simple meals instead of gorging at a giant buffet three times a day.  And the fact that it was just the 3 of us with no distractions from home or work?  Priceless…

Foolishly I believed that a day at Walt Disney World would be like a day at any other theme park.  I was mistaken.  First of all, there are 4 theme parks and 2 water parks to choose from – and they are all busy.  Then there are these crazy things like ‘Extra Magic Hours’ and ‘Fast Pass’ rides to consider.  Top it off with ‘Park Hopper’ passes and Walt Disney World can be overwhelming instead of exciting.  Fortunately I have a friend who’s a Disney expert (no kidding) so I was a little more prepared, but smug ol’ traveling me got a real crash course in how preparedness makes your Disney experience fun instead of frustrating.

If your trip is Disney-specific, try to stay on-site in one of WDW’s 17 resorts.   The difference in prices is fairly steep between deluxe and value, but they all offer free transportation to the different parks, and staying on-site allows you to take advantage of ‘Extra Magic Hours’ which vary from park to park and day to day but essentially the park opens early or closes late only for WDW Resort Guests.  We stayed at the Boardwalk Inn, which is fantastic, but as one of their deluxe resorts, it’s pricey.  It’s beautiful though, and a 5-min walk to Epcot where there are good dining options for those who didn’t make dinner reservations up to 6 months in advance.

Yes, I said dining reservations 6 months in advance.  I learned this the hard way when I thought I was being silly booking dinner a week in advance.  My daughter is mad for Cinderella and one of the character dining options is dinner with Cinderella and the gang at the Grand Floridian Hotel.  My husband told our daughter she’d be meeting Cinderella for dinner in order to get her psyched about our trip.  Imagine my horror when I called to reserve to be told there was NOTHING available.  I tried calling back every day up until we arrived to see if there were any cancellations.  As a last resort, I tried our hotel’s concierge and he managed to get us a table the following night.  The moral of the story?  Well, there are several…  Don’t – make your kids promises until you have a reservation confirmation number… Do – a bit of research to see if there are any special restaurants you’d like to eat at and book them immediately…and Don’t be surprised when your trip to Disney turns you into one of those crazy ‘my kid has to have everything’ moms!

We had 2 days and 2 days’ worth of park-hopper passes.  Although the Animal Kingdom Park looked cool, my being preggers limited the attractions and rides we’d be able to go on, so we decided to stick with the Magic Kingdom and a little bit of Epcot.

Now my husband went to Disneyland a lot in California and for me it was Florida at least 3 times, and it’s funny the things you don’t remember as a kid.  You don’t remember the lines, you don’t remember the expense, and you don’t remember the frazzled nerves of all the parents.  Luckily, we were visiting at a quiet time, so even though the park seemed busy, the longest we waited for a ride was 30min, and most times the wait was less than 5.  It actually took us 5 minutes to walk on to the Finding Nemo ride at Epcot – the line area is so long!  Frankly, I could not imagine visiting during peak season and waiting that long for a ride!  Apparently, good times to visit are November (before US Thanksgiving) and May (before school lets out).

It was really convenient to have the ‘Park Hopper’ passes, especially as we could walk to Epcot to eat, but it does add a lot to the admission.  With older kids you could probably plan out your days better but with a still-napping toddler, it was a relief to have the flexibility to come and go when and where we pleased.  The bus service between the resorts and parks was amazingly convenient, and even heading back after the fireworks (a must-see – plan for at least one late night!) was not as bad as I worried it might be.  Clearly Disney knows what they’re doing, especially in terms of looking after families with young children.  They even have little toddler toilets in their baby care centers!

There was a lot that impressed me about Walt Disney World… I loved that it is 100% accessible and that even the most severely disabled people can go on some rides.  I loved that the healthy options at the counter service restaurants were really good and not outrageously overpriced, I loved that it is super-clean and you can ask any Cast Member (Disney staff) any question and if they don’t know the answer, they’ll find out for you.  I loved that my daughter loved “It’s A Small World” and we went on it 5 times.

At certain points throughout our visit, I inexplicably turned into a blubbering idiot.  While I’d love to blame the hormones, I think it had something to do with only remembering the good from the Disney visits of my childhood, feeling sentimental about the past, and then sharing all this with my daughter.  It wasn’t until our 4th “It’s A Small World” ride that I made it through tear-free.  And the waterworks started again when they played “When You Wish Upon A Star” during the fireworks at the castle (and I don’t think I ever saw Pinocchio!)…

Our expectations were low, but ultimately, I’m glad we made the effort to visit Walt Disney World.  I think our daughter will remember a lot of it for a while yet, and I’ll never forget her reactions to some of the sights and sounds.  If you do decide to take the plunge, it’s well worth it to book with a Disney expert.  My friend Sandra Halket runs www.clickthemouse.ca, and you’ll consider her a friend if you book your visit through her.  Disney might be a little overwhelming for a more sensitive child – you’re the best judge of what your tot can handle.  After all, it’s your vacation too!

Sandra’s a travel agent that specializes in Disney trips, and has just launched a website called www.clickthemouse.ca.  If you’re planning to visit The Mouse with little ones in tow, drop by www.clickthemouse.ca to see the latest specials offered, and drop her a line about booking your trip. 

Here are Sandra’s Walt Disney World Tips for Toddlers:

1. Take or rent a stroller, Disney offers discounts for multiday rentals, and a rental is transferred to all 4 theme parks. Little legs get tired very quickly, a stroller is a must have to avoid tantrums.

2. Book character dining. Characters visit and interact with little ones so you can all enjoy your lunch or dinner. Tip: Advanced Dining Reservations are highly recommended, call 1-407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).  Advance Dining Reservations are available at most Full Service dining locations up to 180 days in advance (certain exceptions apply).

3. Take advantage of the “Child Swap” offered at Disney parks on most height restricted rides. One parent/guardian can go on a ride while the other waits with the child. You then “swap”, and the 2nd parent/guardian goes on the ride without waiting. Ask the Disney Cast member at the entrance of the ride about it.  Tip: use Fastpass! (Disney’s system to help reduce long waits at popular attractions) to make the wait for the first parent even shorter!

4. Take a break – go back to your resort for an afternoon swim/nap/snack and go back to the parks refreshed and ready for evening fireworks and parades.

5. Take advantage of early risers, most parks do not get crowded until around 10:30-11am. If you are a resort guest you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, where particular parks are open 1 hour before and/or 3 hours after regular park hours on selected days. Check the schedule at the Disney owned resort you are staying at for details.

6. Bring a change of clothes and/or bathing suit & towels. There are water spouts coming from the ground at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Little ones can have fun getting wet and cooling off. Good luck keeping your kids away from them!

7. Find the Baby Care Centre, there is one located at each major park. This facility is not only great for changing diapers, it also carries a great assortment of baby/toddler supplies and gives nursing mothers a quiet place to feed.  They even have toddler toilets for those who are training!

8. Purchase an autograph book for character greetings. Whether you are at character dining or meeting them at the parks, this is big for toddlers. Tip: don’t forget to put your name/phone number/address inside the front cover. Disney will mail a missing book to you if they have recovered it, and this tip comes from first-hand experience!

9. Keep your child safe and in sight. Sometimes crowds can be overwhelming especially after parades and fireworks. Make an emergency plan depending on the age of your child just in case.

10. Avoid disappointments by measuring your child ahead of time and know which rides they will be able to go on before you line up for them.

To make the most of your WDW vacation, please check out more Disney World Area Family Activities