I like traveling! Before having the my twins I have traveled quite a bit and no country was too far, no path too adventurous. Obviously I never needed agencies to plan my itineraries.
Even now that the Pispoli are born, I regularly want to travel, but since we are 4, the movements will have a completely different dimension.
Since I am of the opinion that you shouldn't give up moving when there are children, I want to give you 10 tips that can make your trip an even more beautiful experience.
1. Get organized in order to always have behind you no more than you can hold with one hand, and leave one hand free for the baby.
Please note that you may need the infant carrier or stroller. You will have to find the balance between the desire to be able to handle all emergencies and the need not to travel too loaded. It is not always easy, but try it, try to eliminate what you can still find or you will have at hand even where you will go.
If you are traveling in two, decide before leaving who will be responsible for documents, keys and tickets. In this way you will avoid that stressful situations happen between your head and neck and give rise to useless discussions.
2. Plan your times generously. Traveling with children is more tiring than alone and it is tiring even for the little ones. So after a long flight plan a day of relaxation; this also applies to the return. Also consider that you will need longer and more frequent breaks.
If your trip involves commuting, plan fewer things to see and make sure your arrival and departure dates can be a little flexible.
3. Book in advance and when you book remember that for long-haul flights there is a special one cradle on the plane and for train journeys the seat. For babies up to one year old, almost all the airlines provide cots that are usually found between Economy Class and Business Class. There may be 3 or 6 and they are highly coveted. So as soon as you have purchased the flight, contact the airline and book the crib (or cots in my case :). Maybe have your booking confirmed by email. If the company does not offer the possibility to book, ask at check-in, maybe some cribs may still be available.
For long train journeys, you can reserve several seats, for example a whole row of a compartment. This way the baby can rest or sleep.
4. Try to maintain sleep and meal times.
Children love routine. On a journey where everything is new they often need their own usual times and a place that they find as their own. Of course, you can't plan everything, otherwise you wouldn't enjoy the trip anymore, but many new stimuli, different times and places without your habits could cause some sleepless nights. And the sleepless nights strain your nerves even on vacation.
I recommend that you travel overnight or take advantage of a nap after lunch.
5. Better an apartment than a hotel. Especially with small children you are more independent. With a kitchen at your disposal you can prepare what you want when you want. In the hotel, times could be a problem. Not to mention that having more than one room bores children less and allows parents more breathing space. So consider the usefulness of having a room-hall or a terrace. It could be invaluable for a few moments of relaxation.
6. Take advantage of local amenities
There are children everywhere, and therefore also diapers, wipes & co.
Before leaving, ask if the structure that will host you has cots and high chairs available.
For the first trip with the Pispoli we simply put a mattress on the floor for the children, and it went very well.
7. Bring a piece of home with you
The sleeping bag, your favorite puppet, or something similar. Annika and David have a sheep and a bunny they play with before falling asleep. I always carry them with me during the holidays and the two little ones feel safe in the company of their stuffed friend.
8. Go to the restaurant early
When there are still few people and the children are not yet dead tired. Identify places with high chairs and changing tables, or in the best cases with a play area for children that can be controlled by eye from the table.
For older children, you may see that near where you eat there is something within walking distance: a port, a playground, etc.
9. Little surprises
… Make traveling more fun. Bring with you, especially for long journeys - some new toys, wrapped as a gift. Ps books, finger puppets, markers. Things that you can take with you to manage some downtime, some difficult situation or some tantrum.
In short, leave yourself the space for a little shot of the theater.
10. Give yourself some time for yourself
Even just for one night, so you can have good memories of the trip as a couple as well as as a family. Try asking hotels or apartment owners if they have babysitting services. More and more often they are organized to help you in these situations and for you it will be an extra moment to take home the experience.
What else could I add? Well, of course, only wish you a good trip together with your children, both in case you are leaving, and in the one that you are preparing your perfect itinerary.
