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Trip planning with small children

Posted by (Fredericton) on

Hi all,

Hoping for some guidance as I plan our first trip back to Europe since we went to Italy in 2011, but this time with two children in tow, a 3.5 year old and an 8 month old at the time of travel (next June).

We have a wedding in Devon, and figure for the price of getting there it's well worth staying 2-3 weeks depending on how far I can stretch the budget.

I'm in the very early planning stages, and this will be a much slower trip compared to our usual, but I'm hoping to be able to see a few places during the trip (one obviously being the Devon area).

We love culture, and local experiences, as well as seeing the sites. We are deliberating staying in England, or venturing to the Netherlands or France afterwards. I'm thinking 2-3 weeks (dependent on cost) and about 5-7 days per destination, depending how long we stay in Devon.

Thank you!

Posted by
565 posts

I've just got a 13 month old international traveler so I'll share my limited experience. So far, she's been much more adaptable than we ever have. I've heard horror stories but I think it's more about the parents trying to stick to an old routine than just satisfying whatever the current need is. Do what you want and tend to whatever the brief interruption is. I highly recommend the book "Bringing up Bébé". Gave me a new insight to my helicopter mom friends. If it were my trip I'd make just a change of place a week but you may have more nerves than me. So far, the one thing I think is consistent with all my international travel moms is where you stay. Apartments work best where you have a kitchen and a washing machine. In cities, watch what level you are on. Hauling strollers and babies up a flight of stairs is aweful. Hotels aren't a horrible choice for a couple of days but I'd put a week apartment rental in there somewhere for a separate sleeping space and a washing machine. You will hear about parks close by being a necessity but I never saw it as any more benefit as home. The 3.5 year old will enjoy the grocery store as much as the 8 month old will enjoy the box the cereal came in. You will probably hear how they won't remember it so what's the point. You will. That's the point! Enjoy your trip and do what you want. The little ones are along for the ride.

Posted by
8141 posts

I've never been one to take very young children on very long foreign travel. I cannot think of anything that'd be more difficult--logistically. It's bad enough just traveling with my wife who carries her own carryon luggage.

We were very fortunate to have great parents to leave our daughter with. We started her traveling with us to Europe at age 11, and it was a perfect time for her.

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