My wife and I are planning on taking or daughter to Europe in late April. We are going to split our time seeing family (Lille/Brussels) and doing some traveling by car (toss up between Loire/Normandy and Western Germany (Rhine / Mosel / Black Forest). Can anyone recommend a travel crib?
Other things we may need? Our idea was to do the whole trip by car ... the thought of lugging through a stroller, car seat, and baby's bag in addition to our carry on sized rollies through train stations, in cabs, etc is unappealing. The current idea is to string a few several hour drives together, and do a lot of walking and cafes ... not much else! Advice? And yes, we do realize we are insane :).
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
I don't think you're insane. A car will make all things easier - and your expectations seem appropriately aligned. Have a great time!
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Definitely think a car is the only way to go. You can be on your own (well, actually your baby's) schedule and move about as you please. Just take the same things as you would for a trip in the US. What about a Pack & Play for travel crib?
Keep your expectations low and you will probably exceed them. Hopefully the little one will not be walking yet...it will make it easier. Have a great time.
Posted by
Minnetonka, MN
26 posts
In October/November, we took our 13-month-old to Italy for two weeks. We rented a car once we left Rome. Even though we typically pack light, there isn't such a thing with an infant, so a car is a good idea. A few thoughts: Hauling a travel crib along would be a hassle. Try to book hotels that indicate they have cribs available (the cribs are generally pack 'n plays). If your relatives don't have one, they could probably borrow/rent one. We used booking.com to book rooms the listings say if they have cribs. We brought an Ergo carrier with us, which was great. Our daughter usually took her morning nap in the carrier and her afternoon nap back in the hotel. Lots of restaurants didn't have high chairs, so prepare to eat with your daughter on your lap (we brought some old dish towels to protect our clothes). When you book your plane tickets, request a bassinet, unless you are paying for a seat for your daughter. This will allow both you and your daughter to be more comfortable. Although it was a little cumbersome, we did bring our own car seat. We had heard the quality of rental car agency car seats is hit or miss. If you rent and return a car at the airport, bringing your own seat shouldn't be too much of a hassle. We slowed down a lot from our normal pace. Most days we saw one site in the morning and then one site after our daughter's afternoon nap. Be sure to bring plenty of things to read at night in the hotel you'll have lots of down time after your daughter goes to bed. Have a great trip! And don't forget to get a passport for your daughter (if you haven't already).
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10207 posts
Decades ago, traveling with a little one, we always booked hotels with restaurants, would put the little one down and after he fell asleep would go downstairs for dinner. Today it's easier with the child monitors. We used to run upstairs to check on him every ten minutes. With more kids, we stopped moving around for many years, so enjoy.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
53 posts
Thanks for all the suggestions and words of encouragement! We were fortunately able to cash in FF miles and had enough for three seats. Given the amount we'll be moving around and our uncertain itinerary we plan on bringing the pack and play, and will hopefully still be able to use the stroller base her car seat fits in to ... but we'll have to wait and see if she still fits come late April. On our only hotel visit here in the States we loved having a "suite", where we can at least put the baby to bed in the bedroom while we hang out in the other room. Thinking smaller B&B type hotels might work out. Due to the onslaught of AA FF redemptions our route kind of found us, into Zurich and out of Paris with 10 days and a long weekend in Brussels/Lille ... I will be sure to post a recap if we survive :).