Sun Comes Up, It's Travel-Day Morning

I was definitely dreading it, our first flight with baby. Not only had I read horror story after horror story about how she was going to scream the entire time and everyone would be shooting daggers at us, but I also had to drag my sweetly sleeping baby out of her crib a solid 5 hours earlier than I usually would!

Booking a flight at 7:30 made sense at the time, we were always up then anyway. It was only after I had paid for everything that it occured to me we had to be at the airport 3 hours before that, therefore leaving the house 45 minutes before that! We had to get up at what time? Was there any point in even going to bed?

Turns out, with that flight and our subsequent flights at the crack of dawn, those were our easiest travel days.  Now we have a system down pat, and if given the choice between an early flight or mid-afternoon, I’ll take early every time.

Here’s a few tips on surviving that very early flight with a baby, toddler, or young child in tow:

• Put them to bed in their travel clothes.  Some just bring their kids on board in their pyjamas, but I’ll leave that to Paris Hilton (is she even around anymore?). I pick out clothes for my kids that are comfortable, but still look like clothes.
• Get up earlier than everyone else, get dressed, and finish the packing. Load up the car and warm it up if necessary.
• About five minutes before you have to leave, lift baby/toddler/kid out of bed, into their coat and into the car - stuffie, woobie, or blanket in hand. If they have a pacifier in bed, let them keep it.

Some kids might actually go back to sleep for the ride to the airport (mine didn’t) but I found they’re so stunned at being up and out that they just kind of sit there in shock. Once you’re at the airport, pack them into the stroller or carrier and have a drink handy. Usually you don’t have to worry about a diaper change or breakfast until you’re at the gate since they’d normally still be sleeping at that time anyway.

By the time you’re en route, baby may or may not doze off, but depending on your destination, you’re pretty much guaranteed a healthy nap after lunch AND an early bedtime. By day two of your trip you should all be raring to go.

The Afternoon After The Morning Before...

One of my fondest memories of our first trip is from the morning we first arrived. We’d landed and were all set up in our resort in Cuba by lunchtime, so we went to the poolside grill for a bite.  Megan was sitting on my husband’s lap, eating toast soldiers.  She fell asleep in his arms, mid-bite.  I was able to change her out of her swimsuit and swimming diaper and into a regular diaper and onesie, wrap her in a blanket, and put her down on a lounger, all without waking her. She slept there for 2 hours, while we enjoyed café con leche by the pool.

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.

Got Proper Voltage?

When I’m not making my own, I love to hear about other people’s travel plans.  And if you’re planning your first trip with baby, then you’re bound to have a question or ten.  I’m happy to answer as many as I can!

Recently I received an email from Samantha, who is exclusively pumping for her 6-month-old son.  That is a full-time job in itself, so Samantha definitely deserves to get away! She wrote to me regarding traveling with (and using) her breast pump…

I am looking at going to Varadero, and currently I pump and bottle feed. I want to bring the pump with me and continue but wondering about getting a converter for the power outlet because I can’t afford to fry my breast pump. I bought one 2 years ago but it didn’t work when I got down there..which would be disastrous! Just wondering if you have bought one and if so from where?

AND do you think it’s doable to pump and bottle feed with a 6 month old on vacation (my husband is coming as well LOL).

Firstly, kudos to you, Samantha, for pumping for as much and for as long as you have! Your best bet would be to get in touch with the resort directly with regard to power. One place we stayed advertised that they only had the 220v but when we got there our room actually had both. Not to mention, the plugs can be/are a different shape…

My husband bought our converter at an electronics surplus store downtown for around $20. It’s an RCA Foreign Voltage Adapter Kit (AH260R) (AH260R) and it worked fine for us on our last trip to Cuba. Once you’re there, test the adapter you end up getting on a less precious electric item to make sure it works.

If you can pump and bottle feed at home, you most  certainly can pump and bottle feed on vacation. Make sure to eat well and keep properly hydrated - but don’t deny yourself the odd pina colada - you deserve it!

Just a couple more notes… at 6 months you may be thinking about starting cereal and solids. On vacation is not the time to try new things, but if you’ve started on a cereal it’s fine to bring along a box or two for your trip. Make sure it’s the kind you can mix with water and that the bottled water you use has little/no sodium in it.

Don’t forget to pack your bottle brush and a small bottle of dish soap!

As for your second question, your husband will get to see just how much you actually have to do when you’re home looking after a baby!

Take care & Happy Travels!!

Morón, Cuba - January 2010

It’s been almost three years since I started Have Baby Will Travel, and in all this time I’ve been a total cheerleader for family travel. My goal with the site has always been to inspire and motivate new parents to travel with their babies and toddlers, and I think a big part of the motivation comes from hearing stories from other traveling parents.

The last trip we took was my 4-year-old daughter’s 8th and my 9-month-old son’s 3rd. Other than the usual hassles of a giant pile of luggage and figuring how to make sure both kids are fed and occupied on the travel days, it went off without a hitch. Come to think of it, the very first trip we took with our daughter also went off without a hitch, but I was still a very stressed out new mom who wanted to make sure we got to our destination in one piece physically AND mentally, and enjoy ourselves once we were there.

But when I think of that first trip, that’s not what I remember. I remember how my daughter kept dozing off in odd places during the first couple of days. I remember her squeals of absolute joy as she hit the beach and crawled in the sand for the first time. I remember her pointing at a cat and saying “cat”, and pointing at a dog and saying “cat”.

Much like childbirth, you just kind of forget the bad stuff. Like how I cried out of sheer exhaustion and frustration when she wouldn’t nap and woke at all hours during our first few days. Like how out of sorts I felt until we established our “vacation routine”. Like how I panicked when I realized the pasta with tomato sauce she was greedily eating had shellfish in it, and I hadn’t introduced her to that yet.

As my site nears its 3rd birthday, it’s a wakeup call of sorts for me to not forget where I came from. That first trip was tough, and as much as it’s easy to forget the bad, it’s important not to. I don’t ever want to seem smug or glib about the troubles and hassles involved in getting from point A to point B with a baby in tow. They’re real and they exist and I think being prepared is half the battle.

And also just like childbirth, it’s totally, totally worth it.

Imagine my surprise when almost none of that happened.

Read more at The Bump…

WestJet At Pearson, Terminal 3

This is WestJet’s first year flying into Cuba (Varadero, Cayo Coco & Holguin), and the first thing that struck me was how civilized the flight times are. Typically for Cuba you’re looking at an at least 7am departure, with 8pm departures home becoming more and more common (VERY difficult with a baby or toddler in tow). We left for Cayo Coco at a very reasonable 10am and our return at 2:45pm worked extremely well with our little passengers.

The last time I flew WestJet, they had still only just entered the Eastern market and were flying out of Hamilton.  It was a work trip that had me following the Barenaked Ladies for 3 dates in the West on their cross-Canada tour.  Sound glamorous? Consider it was mid-February, and the cold in Regina was so extreme my nostrils stuck together when I inhaled.  It was a gruelling schedule with 12+ hour shoot days, and I was exhausted.  The flight “home” to Hamilton from Edmonton took 11hrs as we had to stop in Regina, Winnipeg & Thunder Bay.  I remember landing feeling shattered and starving, as WestJet was the first to offer only cookies and juice instead of real meals The idea of flying them again anytime soon was quickly dismissed.

But WestJet’s presence across Canada has grown, and they’ve managed to achieve the nearly impossible by being a profitable airline.  Now I know why.  Heading down to Cuba, even in the midst of ramped up security and delays at the airport, was a breeze.

WestJet Promo Shot - Surprisingly Accurate

WestJet’s luggage allowance is (still) generous - two pieces per person for a combined weight of 50lbs. Our one suitcase was over and we somehow (somehow!) were able to switch stuff around to equalize the weight.  The fee for an overweight bag is $50.  We had no difficulty checking our 6 pieces - 3 suitcases, a playpen and two car seats.  They even supplied the bags to put the kid stuff in.

They do a pre-board for families, and the seat pitch is decent.  This is a big consideration for us as on our first (and last) experience with a charter jet, my husband was unable to sit properly (he’s 6′7″).  WestJet has live satellite TV (for free) on the seat backs (channel 1 is Treehouse - the preschool channel) and accepts regular headphone jacks.  The flight attendants were very friendly (no more groan-inducing jokes, thankfully), they introduced themselves and said to ask if I needed any help.  They even provided a baggie for the diaper-bomb released mid-flight AND there was a change table in the rear washroom (hear that SouthWest?)

There were complimentary drinks and snacks (cookies &  juice!), plus a number of food and snack options available for purchase.  

WestJet Promo Shot - Also Surprisingly Accurate

It cost about 10% more to go with WestJet Vacations instead of some of the other tour operators, but for flight times and service, for us it was well worth the money.  As with our experience with Porter Airlines, we’d go out of our way to use them again.

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.

2009 saw my family expand to where I’m technically Have Babies Will Travel, but I know that no matter how old your eldest child is, they’re always your baby.

I have a new project in the works for 2010, and I can’t to share! In the meantime we’re off to Cuba yet again for some R&R (not Rock & Roll - ha!), and we can’t wait to unleash the Bub on the beach now that he’s almost crawling!

Happy travels, and Happy New Year!

A Stain Waiting To Happen...

My uniform is typically black from head to toe, and while that can disguise a multitude of problems, when you’re with an infant it only highlights various slobbers and the kind of goo that only a baby can create with a cracker. After arriving at various destinations feeling less than fresh, I’ve learned enough to feel confident sharing my travel attire tips.

Layers aren’t just for cakes…
On any given travel day, you could go through as many as 3 different climates, and the plane offers its own temperature variations as well. If you start out with a few light layers, you can remove as needed. Bringing along a few changes means you can add or subtract as the thermometer dictates, and maybe even get away without a full outfit change should baby spit up or have a diaper failure. Try to avoid cardigans or sweaters with zippers, you’ll have to remove them going through security.

Shoes blues…
Everyone in your family needs to remove their shoes when going through airport security, even family members who are wearing them for fun instead of function. Have everyone in footwear that’s easy to get on and off, and if possible, have baby wear outfits with built in feet to avoid keeping track of yet another item.

Think flight patterns…
Multi-coloured patterns can hide a multitude of messes (including the aforementioned cracker goo), so even if you’re not really clean, you don’t look messy. Keep this in mind for babies and little kids as well. In a pinch, diaper wipes work remarkably well at taking out stains.

Save pyjamas for cats and bananas…
Was it Paris Hilton who popularized wearing pyjamas on the plane? I guess I’m old school, but I try to dress up a bit for air travel and the same goes for my kids. For a really early start, I’ll put them to bed in the (comfortable but cute) outfit they’ll wear on the plane, and my travel clothes are those that feel like stretch pants and sweats without actually being them. Not convinced? Note that you’ll never be upgraded on a flight if you’re wearing flip flops and sweatpants. A bit of effort CAN go a long way if you’re lucky.

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.

You're Going To Need A Cart...

Let’s face it, gone are the days of traveling light. I once prided myself on galivanting through Europe with one bag strapped to my back, but now that same said bag would barely hold all the diapers.

 Yes, you can order baby supplies to be shipped to your hotel ahead of time, and that might be quite cost-effective now with the ridiculous airline baggage allotments (or lack thereof). Yes, depending on where you’re going you can always buy what you need once you get there (although rushing out to find a store is not the first thing I want to do when I’m traveling). My exhaustive, extensive packing lists are based on our trips to Cuba, where not only is it difficult to find baby supplies, the selection is minimal and what is there is quite expensive.

If you think I’m a bit of a nervous Nellie and that I’ve gone overboard, I’ll agree with you. But in my defence I’ll say that I’m loyal to certain brands and it would stress me out to try new foods and products with my baby when I’m away from home. 

So please check out my Mother Of All Packing Lists - and of course you don’t have to pack EVERYTHING on it! It’s just a guideline so you don’t forget anything.  I’m working on creating a special printable version and it will be hopefully up soon.

Also, you don’t want to be 30,000 feet up in the air and realize you absolutely need something! Definitely also check out my Carry-On Packing List.  Not once in our umpteen flights have I had that sinking feeling that something I need is either under the plane or back at home. 

Have I forgotten something essential - or essential to you?  Drop me a line in the comments and I’ll be sure to add it.

Happy Travels!

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

It was a week in a self-catering studio across from a beautiful beach in Barbados. We saw babies and kids everywhere!

Read more at The Bump…

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.

I really should do these more often but I just wanted to shout out a few site updates and make mention of a some places where you may see our name!

I’ve just added a bunch of new trip reports for Cuba.  Still a family favourite for us Canucks, I’m sure it won’t be long before Americans are “allowed” to enjoy what we’ve had to ourselves for decades!  Thinking of heading to Cuba with your family this winter, be sure to check out our Fast Facts For Families.

Also, our new article on going through security with babies and toddlers has been generating a lot of hits.  This is definitely the time of year where travel ramps up, and hopefully we can all board our planes with a minimum of drama!

I’m excited to say that I was part of the Yummy Mummy Club once again with another article for Erica’s vibrant site, and I’m also stoked to say that now I’ll be contributing to Real Mom’s Guide! My first post for them went up yesterday!

I also want to thank MSNBC Travel’s Christopher Elliott for including me in his post that’s a holiday wish list for the  airline industry.  I know we’re all divided on whether or not boarding early is a good idea, but I’m sure we can all agree that it’s nice to have the option!

Right now I’m still plotting out all the pieces from our recent trip to Florida, and am ramping up for more travel in 2010 - gotta practice what I preach!

Thanks to everyone for all their support - please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me with any questions or suggestions.

Happy travels!

Is it worth the drive to Buffalo?

The drive to Buffalo usually takes about 2 hours - although take the information from the Current Border Crossing Traffic Conditions Hotline with a grain of salt.  They said the Peace Bridge had no delay and we actually waited for 45min.  That left us less than 2 hours once we got to the airport to park, check in, pass security, feed/change kids and board.  Would have been plenty of time in the olden days or if the kids were older - but we felt rushed and it was not a good feeling.  Next time we’ll cross at Niagara Falls and leave 30min earlier.

Southwest has a generous allotment of luggage per person - so we did not have any extra charges due to having 5 pieces (3 suitcases, 1 car seat, 1 playpen).  We hung on to the baby’s  car seat in case there was room on the flight.  No room on the way out so we gate checked it with our stroller with no problems. On the way home from Tampa the flight was not full so he was safely ensconsed in his bucket for the entire flight - and slept the whole way home!

Sleeping Bub on Southwest

Ok so here’s what I’ve figured out about Southwest’s boarding procedure… There are no seat assignments, it’s first come-first served. You can pay $10/pp extra for priority pre-boarding, but that does NOT guarantee you’ll be one of the first to board. Luckily, if you’re traveling with children aged 4 or younger, you can escape the rigamarole and board following the “A”s. It’s a pretty mad scramble to get seated and organized, but on every trip we had no issues and first access to the overhead bin! One note - only the immediate family of the person aged 4 and younger can board.  Grandma was with us for our trip last year and she was not allowed to board with us.

We found the Southwest folks very friendly, you get a little snack (peanuts - beware!) and a drink for free, and the seat pitch is decent - even for my 6′7″ husband.  The Southwest website is really informative when it comes to flying with children.  Don’t know if this is good or bad, but these were the first flights where the flight attendants did not make a point of going over procedure of taking off and landing with a baby.

Pretty Blue Plane, But No Change Table

We had just 2 issues…  The washroom in the rear of the plane (Boeing 737-700) was extra small and did NOT have a fold-down change table in it (don’t know if the front washroom had one, but doubt it), and our stroller was damaged after being gate checked on our return flight.  Keep this in mind for future Southwest flights - had we reported the damage within 4 hours of landing, we may have been compensated.  However, I just wanted to get our things and go home, so when I inquired a few days later I was informed (via super-friendly automated email) of the 4 hour window.

Driving home is a bit of a slog, but the savings in airfare is definitely worth the drive to Buffalo! In fact, with how great Porter Airlines is out of the Island airport, I have a feeling our trips out of Pearson will be fewer and fewer.

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

Cinderella's Castle

 
We had dinner with Cinderella, we stayed up late and watched the fireworks, we went on “It’s A Small World” five times. Even cynical ol’ me shed a sentimental tear or two on the trip (and so did my dad when I asked him about our trips to WDW when I was small - weird).  Anyhoo - she remembers that experience with almost alarmingly vivid detail, so we were a little concerned about possible pouting due to this year’s theme park-free trip to Florida.

This year we had neither the time nor the money to trek out to Walt Disney World, or any other theme park in the area for that matter.  At not-quite four years-old, initially she expected that this trip would be a carbon copy of the last, and was planning what she would wear for dinner with Cinderella, and what she would say to Drizella this time around.  We just very matter-of-factly explained that we wouldn’t be going to Disney this year, but we’d try to go again some other time.  

She didn’t react. And she didn’t mention it once while we were there.

A bucket, shovel, and a strange pink plastic floaty were our big expenses for the week.  The Gulf was a little cool, but nothing would keep her out of it. 

Clearwater Beach

When we weren’t at the beach, there’s a beautiful park down the road from my brother-in-law’s house called John Chesnut Sr. Park where we had a cookout one night, and brought Chinese take-out on another. It was wonderful to watch her run around with her cousins while her baby brother enjoyed the breeze off Lake Tarpon, and how it made the drippy trees dance and sway. (Funnily enough, it’s the shelter and playground we used that are on their site’s virtual tour.)

This was a wonderful break for all of us.  I felt a tad guilty taking her out of school for the week, but I think the quality family time was far more valuable for her than 5 days of JK.

Madeira Beach

Currently my head is a jumble of posts and articles. It’ll take a bit to sort them all out, but it’s amazing to see how a few days away can inspire and relax, all at the same time…

However, if you DO decide to check out the Mouse, here are some Family Accomodations in Disney World Area

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.

Conveniently, I received an email from Julie, who will be traveling with her children to St. Kitts and was looking for a bit of babysitting for an adult dinner out.  The quote she received seemed mighty steep…

I just found your site while searching for babysitting services on St. Kitts, which I am exhausted trying to find. The Marriott will arrange for babysitting for a fee of $35/hour (4 kids) plus transportation. Can you imagine that the 3 hour minimum for dinner will cost $116 in babysitting fees. And believe me, I called twice to confirm this wasn’t a mistake.

I don’t know what you think about this, but I believe this amount is exorbitant! If you know of any babysitting services on the island of St. Kitts, I would really appreciate it!

Um, yeah. $35/hr with a 3 hour minimum is a lot more than I’d expect to pay for babysitting services on holiday.  So I decided to search a bit around on the ol’ Internets, and thanks to the power of said Internets, we’ve found someone!

Her name is Krista and she’s an American living on St. Kitts and working at a school there. She comes highly recommended from someone with a vacation home on the island, and she also has a handy-dandy website all about St. Kitts. I’m presently surfing that site like a madwoman, ’cause if St. Kitts is where we end up in January, I want to know all about it!

I’m considering creating a page on Have Baby Will Travel that lists babysitting/nanny services for vacation and tourist destinations. Whaddaya think?

Have a wonderful time on St. Kitts, Julie - can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back!  In the meantime, check out what other parents had to say about their visit to St. Kitts w/kids.

Little Miss No Nap in Cuba

After our first less-than-successful experience with a hotel crib, we’ve brought our old hand-me-down playpen with us just in case.  More often than not, we haven’t had to use it.  But when we did, I was grateful to have a clean, comfortable, and safe place for our daughter to sleep.

BABYBJORN has offered Have Baby Will Travel readers the chance to win a Travel Cot Light - a value of almost $300. At only 5kg/11lbs, it folds down super-small and is a pretty swank little crib for your little traveler.

BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light

To enter, visit www.Babybjornbelievers.com and sign up to become a BabyBjorn Believer, then leave a comment here letting us know. For an extra chance to win, become a fan of Have Baby Will Travel on Facebook, and leave another comment here once you’ve done that. Current Facebook fans just leave a comment here for your extra chance to win!

The winner will be drawn at random on Monday November 30, 2009. Your travel cot can arrive just in time for your holiday travels!  This giveaway is open to both Canadian and American residents.

***Update December 1/09*** Random.org selected #21 as our winner - Congrats Nic!  Many many thanks to all who entered and stay tuned for more great giveaways in 2010!

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

In Quebec City, even the poshest bistro welcomes children, but we didn’t go there.  We did manage to avoid fast food, and stuck with places that were nice and affordable.  Keep in mind that most restaurants are retro-fitted into tiny, centuries-old buildings, so even though they welcome you with baby, doesn’t mean they welcome your stroller.  Highchairs were plentiful, and most families folded their ride and left it at the door.

We didn’t have any terrible meals, but we did have a couple that didn’t knock our socks off. I’ve decided not to mention those.

So first - when it’s been a long day and you need somewhere fast and reliable - you go for chicken…

St. Hubert:
St. Hubert is a  Quebec institution -  rotisserie chicken with a special dipping sauce that’s reasonably priced, fast and fresh.  St. Hubert is not to be confused with the Ontario institution of chicken and sauce, and though purists will insist you can love only one, I enjoyed seeing a familiar logo after a long day of trekking around.  The St. Hubert on Grand Allee was pretty swanky as far as chicken joints go, but the location is great, the food is decent, and the service was fast.

Fancy Schmancy St. Hubert on Grand Allee

I’ve never fully understood their “all you can eat coleslaw” promotion (creamy or vinaigrette!), but as a nursing mom with a then 10-week-old, it’s always a relief to see this sign…

International Breastfeeding Symbol

Le Bistro, Delta Hotel, Quebec City:
This was the restaurant in our hotel, and due to inclement weather and longer-than-planned days, we ended up eating here much more frequently than we anticipated.  The buffet breakfast was decent (albeit a little pricey) and kids under 12 eat free off of a special menu (the chicken pot pie was pretty good).

What was exceptional about Le Bistro was the friendliness of the breakfast staff.  Maybe it’s because I’m accustomed to getting the stink eye when we walk into restaurants, but the waitstaff made such a fuss over the kiddos that it’s enough to soften the fact that we were eating there - again.

L’Astral, Loews Hotel, Quebec City:
Lovely, sweeping views of the metal rooftops and the Plains of Abraham - L’Astral is a revolving restaurant on the top floor of the Loews Hotel on Grand Allee. 

L'Astral Restaurant

Their servers were super friendly, and the lunch buffet was excellent and (we thought) very reasonable. My daughter devoured their Cream of Turnip soup (it was delicious) and seemed excited by the fact that the restaurant rotated (though not nearly fast enough for her liking!).

This was one of the few places we could bring our stroller to the table, which was appreciated as the bub slept through our leisurely lunch.

Spag et Tini:
There’s no shortage of Italian restaurants in Quebec City but we enjoyed our lunch at Spag & Tini down by the port.

Spag & Tini Patio

It’s a bit tricky to manoeuvre inside but it’s lovely with the old stone and beams. Weather permitting, sit on the patio… The cheerful yellow umbrellas contrast so nicely with the stone of centuries past, and the classic Italian menu is great comfort food.  The kids’ menu has alternatives to the typical chicken fingers and french fries (my daughter’s pizza & caesar salad was a welcome change and thorougly enjoyed), and the service was friendly and attentive without being intrusive.  Prices at Spag & Tini are very reasonable as well.

Rue Saint Jean:
We happened upon this street as we were trying to find something that seemed a little more local.  It runs behind the Delta Hotel (where we were staying) and offers plenty of smaller bistros, cafes, and markets.

Patisserie on Rue Saint Jean

A great market on Rue Saint Jean is J.A. Moisan - we stocked up on some staples for our room and I pretended to be in Paris one morning as I popped down for fresh baguette and fromage to take back to the fam.  I purchased a reusable shopping bag for $7 which seemed a little steep at the time, but it’s a great souvenir and I feel kind of chic carrying it.

There’s certainly no shortage of restaurants in Quebec City - and the fact that they all welcome children makes your life a little easier.  If you’re planning a trip there, at least now you have a heads up on some decent places to manger!

Find other food-related posts at Wanderfood Wednesday.

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!

First up is called the Head Snuggler - a device for helping kids heads not to be all kinked to the side when they fall asleep in their car seat or stroller.  I’m going to try it out on my daughter, who’ll be moving into a high-backed booster in our car in the next month or two as she’s rapidly approaching 40lbs.  It does not look at all like what I thought it would be - should be interesting to see if she’ll cooperate!

Next up is a new carrier from ERGObaby.  It’s called the Heart 2 Heart and it’s not being unveiled until September.  We’ve used our ERGO a few times now and are very happy with it.  I’m definitely curious to see how they’ve improved upon a design that gets nothing but rave reviews from every mom I’ve met.  I’ll be receiving the new ERGO in Sept. - just in time to use it (with Bub) to walk my daughter to Kindergarten (sniff!).  This is all the info they’ve sent on the new carrier:

Keep your baby close to your heart. Coming this fall -  from ERGObaby - The only baby carrier you will ever need.

The best part is I’ll be giving away a Head Snuggler AND 2 of the new ERGOs - so stay tuned for that in September!

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!

Ah yes, that “time management” thing… not quite as adept as I’d like to be but getting there!  Over the past few weeks I’ve made some updates to the main site…

New trip reports for British Columbia, St. Maarten, Italy & Jamaica…

New trip reports are forthcoming for Cuba, Mexico, Florida & Quebec…

And a brand new article has been added to the main site - The 5 Rs To Rosy Road Trips…

Over the past few months, yours truly (Have Baby Will Travel of course!) has had some great media mentions.  I just thought I’d list them here…

A fantastic mention on Entrepreneur.com
A mention in Report On Business magazine (mostly on my “old life” but mentions HBWT!)
A great (3 page!) profile in Mompreneur Magazine.
A great mention & quote in Today’s Parent.

Presently I’ve got a whack of articles brimming in my head from our latest adventure to Quebec City.  It was our first as a family of four - a real learning experience AND much-needed getaway for our little fam.

Appreciate your patience!

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!

Here’s a picture of her as we were leaving…

One Night Inclusive Package-
From Niagara’s only family resort comes Niagara’s only Inclusive Package!

A family of four saves $100!
Your package includes:
Our signature ‘all-you-can-eat’ breakfast buffet for each guest.
One personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut and one fountain drink or one deli sandwich or salad and one fountain drink from Bear Claw Cafe for each guest.
One dinner buffet for each guest.
One game of mini-golf + one $6.00 Cub Club craft + 10 arcade tokens for each child.
2 days of water park play.
FREE parking.
Use promotion code INCLUSIVE when reserving your room

Here’s the lowdown on  GWL’s summer events…

July 1st - Celebrate Canada Day at the Great Wolf Lodge!
*Fireworks show
*Great Wolf Lodge’s own Canada Day parade
*Official cake cutting
*Pie eating contests
*Poolside entertainment

July 31 - August 3 - August Civic Holiday and Wiley’s BBQ Bash!
*Great Wolf fireworks display!
*BBQ fun for the whole family!
*BBQ Bash dance
*Watch the BBQ Bash race for your chance to win a free nights stay
*Pie eating contests, three legged races, pool side games and contests

August 20 - September 4 - It’s a Howl B4U Hit the Books! 
*Cool back to school cub club crafts
*Demos on back to school snacks and fun
*Back-to-school games and activities
*Water safety

For full details, visit Great Wolf Lodge Niagara’s official website at http://www.greatwolf.com/niagara/waterpark

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

Check out what other families have to say about their stays in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler!

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!

Congratulations to our winners & many MANY thanks to all who entered!!

Have Baby Will Travel is pleased to say that Taresa Fawcett of Flesherton, Ontario is the winner of the Ultimate Baby Travel Gear Grand Prize Pack!

With a dream destination of Walt Disney World in Florida, Taresa is a mom of 2 - a toddler AND a baby - so she can truly use all the items she’s won.  Valued at over $800, Taresa will be receiving…

• The Grand Prize:
  * A PeaPod Plus travel bed
  * A BedBugz bed rail
  * A HandySitt portable high chair + travel carrying case
  * A Trunki
  * An ERGObaby hands-free carrier system
  * A Travel ‘N Doodle
  * A Snack & Play Travel Tray
  * A SnackBall
  * A Mommy Mat
  * A Wet Happened waterproof bag
  * A CARES safety harness
  * A Bibagogo travel bib

Maruxa Murphy of Friendswood, Texas and Heidi Pawluk of Winnipeg, Manitoba each have won a Toddler Prize Pack!  Maruxa’s tip was to nurse upon take off and landing when flying with a baby - that kept her sane during her first flight with baby, when her daughter was only 5 months!  Heidi suggests renting a cottage for an easy summer getaway with the family.  Maruxa and Heidi will each be receiving…

• The Toddler Travel Prize Pack :
  * A Trunki
  * A Travel ‘N Doodle
  * A SnackBall

Tricia Flindall of Aurora, Ontario is the winner of our Baby Travel Prize Pack!  Good timing - as Tricia just gave birth to her third child on May 8!  A portable DVD player + lots of books and games helped keep her kids occupied when traveling to Scotland last summer.  Tricia will be receiving…

• The Baby Travel Prize Pack:
  * An ERGObaby hands-free carrier system
  * A PeaPod travel bed
  * A Bibagogo travel bib

Congratulations to all our winners and stay tuned to Have Baby Will Travel for more great giveaways!

Related Links:
Baby Travel Gear - Canadian Buyer’s Guide
Baby Travel Gear - How To Purchase

I’ve never been to St. Kitts & Nevis, but a couple of good friends have and they have nothing but good things to say.  The St. Kitts Trip Reports are quite complimentary as well!

Here are the official deets:

** Island-Wide Value-Added Program Includes Hotel Savings of 25% to more than 40% **

** Savings of 10% or more on Flights from American and Delta **

 Basseterre, St. Kitts (April 28, 2009) – For those who want to save money this year yet still go away on vacation to St. Kitts & Nevis, the redesigned “Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis” offer is a destination-wide added value program designed to make visitors fall in love with a charming Caribbean island that is unlike any other.

Whether preferring to stay at a beachfront hotel or one of the island’s elegant plantation inns, visitors are guaranteed to save.  Select properties on St. Kitts & Nevis are participating in the “Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis” offer*, presenting visitors with one of the following options-

Stay Four Nights, Pay for Three: For guests staying at a property for 3 nights or longer, the fourth night stay is free – a 25% savings!
Stay Seven Nights, Pay for Four or Five:  Those who want to enjoy a full week at their island retreat, two or even three nights of every 7-night stay are on the house.  This provides a savings of as much as 40% and more on the entire hotel stay.
Guests also receive complimentary breakfast daily, Food & Beverage Credit, or other inclusion as varies by property at participating hotels, making the deal even sweeter!  Select properties are also offering the Worry Free promotion, which waives cancellation fees on new bookings made in conjunction with the “Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis” offer.

In addition, American Airlines’ AA Vacations and Delta Air Lines’ Delta Vacations are both offering 10% and higher discounts off standard published rates when booking flights in conjunction with a stay at a participating hotel as part of the “Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis” offer.

If the savings on airfare and hotel aren’t enough to make visitors “Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis,” there’s more!  The offer includes a special discount card provided to the hotel guest upon check-in entitling the bearer to additional discounts at participating establishments such as local tour operators, restaurants, shops, car rental companies and more along with a list of those establishments.  The more times a card is used, the greater the overall savings becomes!  In fact, the offer provides savings for just about anything a visitor may want to see or do.

To take full advantage of the “Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis” offer in conjunction with discounted air from AA Vacations or Delta Vacations, travelers must make their reservations between now and December 12, 2009 for travel between now and December 19, 2009.  American Airlines serves St. Kitts & Nevis non-stop from Miami and from New York’s JFK International Airport, as well as via connecting service via San Juan on American Eagle. 

Reservations can also be booked exclusive of air for the same time periods through a traveler’s local travel professional, online, via the St. Kitts website at www.stkittstourism.kn or by booking a stay directly with the participating hotel.  The “Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis” discount card must be presented to participating establishments in order to receive the discounts.  

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history.  The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches.  Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts. 

For more information about St. Kitts, please contact the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 or from Canada 1-888-395-4887, e-mail info@stkittstourism.kn or visit the website at www.stkittstourism.kn.

# # #

* - Various rules, restrictions, regulations and blackout dates apply and features of the “Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis” offer vary by hotel. Please inquire at time of booking.

Book by May 23 Booking window: April 23 - May 23Travel Dates: between May 2 and October 25, 2009   $5599* for a family of 4 2 adults and 2 children (2 - 15 yrs) Taxes and air-inclusive (Air Transat or Canjet) Two choices of reknown family destinations:: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Choose your gateway: Montreal, Toronto Cancun Yucatan, Mexico Choose your gateway: Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton

*Sample price is for a departure from Montreal and Toronto, on June 7 for Punta Cana, for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children between 2 & 15 yrs old) lodging in the same room (Family Club), air and taxes included, for 7 nights. Offer valid for new bookings made between April 23 & May 23, 2009. Offer applicable to families of 4 (2 adults and 2 children between 2 & 15 yrs). Some booking restrictions/blackout dates apply depending on resort. Departures are on Saturday or Sunday. Not combinable with any other offer. Subject to availability at time of reservation. Not applicable to group bookings. Offer is subject to capacity control and can be withdrawn/changed at any time without notice. Club Med membership fees of $60 per adult and $30 per child are extra. Other restrictions apply including current brochure Terms and cancellation/change fees. Applicable in Canada only. Quebec permit.

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!

Enjoying the sand on Jibacoa Beach in Cuba - 2007.

When I was about 7 or 8, my mom took me to Cuba for a week’s holiday with her friend and her 2 kids close in age to me.  I don’t remember much, but I do remember strange, orange, hard plastic seats on the plane, a pretty spartan room with twin beds, intermittent power and water outages throughout the day, and incredibly friendly people that only spoke Spanish.  I also remember fantastic fun at the beach & pool, trying frog’s legs (they did taste like chicken!), and everyone enjoying a laid-back week in the sun.

Cuba’s come a long way in catering to visitors since the late-’70s (did I just give away my age?), and truly you won’t find a place that will embrace your children more.  These days, Cubana was one of the more civilized flights I’ve taken recently (the offer of a complimentary baby meal!), rooms come in varying degrees of size and luxury, the power and water’s been sorted out, and a large number of Cubans speak English or French (certainly those working in tourism do).  Best of all, you can still enjoy that laid back week in the sun.

With President Obama lifting restrictions for Cuban Americans to visit their families, I think the time will soon arrive that all our American friends will have the (legal) chance to experience what we Canadians (and Brits, and Europeans, and Aussies, and everyone else…) have been able to keep for ourselves for decades - the opportunity to visit Cuba.

We’ve been there twice with our daughter, and wouldn’t hesitate to go back again.  If you’re thinking about taking your family to Cuba, here are some articles that you may find useful.

Have Baby Will Travel - my first adventure in family travel…
Have Baby Will Travel - Una Vez Mas! - this time she’s a toddler…
Cuba Trip Reports - first hand reviews from parents who’ve been to Cuba with their babies and toddlers…

We’re hoping to go again as a family of 4 next winter, and my husband and I are planning a long weekend in Havana for an upcoming big birthday of mine - yes, it’s the new 30!

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.

The PeaPod Plus travel bed:
Click here for the complete list of Canadian retailers, stores & online.  If there’s a particular colour that your want that isn’t in stock, they should be able to order it for you.  if not, the people at KidCo are very helpful - their contact info is also on the page if need be.

BedBugz bed rail:
Surprisingly, in spite of listing a number of Canadian retailers, I could only find one (still operational) online store carrying these.  Baby Travel Planet is located in Ontario but has very reasonable shipping rates to the rest of the country.  Also, they carry a lot of other really great travel gear - definitely worth a look…

HandySitt portable high chair + travel carrying case:
Click here for the complete list of Canadian retailers.  You can also purchase it online at their official Canadian distributors here… ***currently offering free shipping to all Canadian provinces!!***

Trunki:
There are currently a few places online that you can buy a Trunki in Canada… WeeTravel, MomsFinds, and one place where you can call to order - WeeBrits (as a total Anglophile, I’m looking forward to that shop getting up and running - as I’m sure my relatives across the pond are sick of my placing orders online and having them mail me stuff!)

ERGObaby hands-free carrier system:
The ERGObaby line is widely available in Canada - their searchable database of Canadian retailers is here.

Travel ‘N Doodle:
Spin Master is the maker of the AquaDoodle series of toys and is a Canadian Company!  Their stuff is widely available, and the official AquaDoodle website is here.

Snack & Play Travel Tray:
I’m sure there’s more, but here are some Canadian retailers for the Snack & Play Travel Tray - Safety Superstore in Mississauga, My Little Sunshine in Manitoba, Cater Tot in Airdrie, Alberta and Barks N Giggles

SnackBall:
I was just ogling Boon’s cool products at Babies R Us this afternoon!  I love that they’re all free of bad plastics… Their list of Canadian retailers is here, and their list of online stores is here (Canada is the bottom of the page).

Mommy Mat:
Currently the Mommy Mat is only available online at the Toronto-based agentmommy, but I’m sure that will change shortly!

Wet Happened waterproof bag:
They will ship to Canada from their official website, but the Wet Happened bags are also available in Canada via Barks N’ Giggles, BushBabies, Sugarbaby Inc., and Bebe Trends.

CARES safety harness:
This great invention (by a traveling Grandma!) is now available throughout Canada at Little Traveller www.littletraveller.ca, The Kiddies Store www.tjskids.com, Baby Shack www.babyshack.com, Diaper Days www.diaperdays.ca, Health and Safety Store www.healthandsafetystore.com, MacKlem’s www.macklems.com, Precious Travelers www.precioustravellers.ca/, and The Safety Superstore www.safetysuperstore.com.

Bibagogo travel bib:
The brainchild of two Edmontonions, the Bibagogo is available online at their site and they also have a number of Canadian retailers here. 

Phew! Hopefully you are able to find what you’re looking for! But I do really want you to win all this stuff instead of buying it!

Unfortunately, the Have Baby Will Travel Online Store is only available to those in the United States, as a lot of the vendors there either don’t ship to Canada or you’d have to pay duty upon delivery.  Currently I’m still working on a Canadian Buyer’s Guide for all the gear shown, so my fellow Canadians can either shop in person, or online via a local store.

Thanks for your patience, and happy shopping!

You can get a little more info on all the gear in my Baby Travel Gear Guides 1-4 - unfortunately we ran out of time so there were a couple of items that we didn’t get to mention:  The CARES Safety Harness, The Bed Bugz Travel Bed Rail, and the Snack Ball (though Jennifer and Frank were playing with it at the very beginning of the show).  Currently I’ve linked the items to either their official site OR their official Canadian distributor.  Over the next couple of days I hope to have a full Canadian buyer’s guide for all the items up here on the blog.  They’re all available in Canada - I made sure of that!

But hopefully you can WIN them!  Please send either a trip report, your best travel tip, or your dream family destination to win@havebabywilltravel.com - you’ve got lots of time as I’m not doing the draw until Mother’s Day!

Thanks again - and a very special thanks to Breakfast Television too.

Happy travels!

Everything you’ll need for eating, sleeping, playing, and getting around when you’re traveling with baby!

Have Baby Will Travel is celebrating its first giveaway since the relaunch with an amazing Baby Travel Gear Grand Prize Pack.  But there’s more chances to win as we’re also giving away 2 Toddler Travel Prize Packs and 1 Baby Travel Prize Pack…

• The Grand Prize:
  * A PeaPod travel bed
  * A BedBugz bed rail
  * A HandySitt portable high chair + travel carrying case
  * A Trunki
  * An ERGObaby hands-free carrier system
  * A Travel ‘N Doodle
  * A Snack & Play Travel Tray
  * A SnackBall
  * A Mommy Mat
  * A Wet Happened waterproof bag
  * A CARES safety harness
  * A Bibagogo travel bib

• The Toddler Travel Prize Pack (2 to give away):
  * A Trunki
  * A Travel ‘N Doodle
  * A SnackBall

• The Baby Travel Prize Pack:
  * An ERGObaby hands-free carrier system
  * A PeaPod travel bed
  * A Bibagogo travel bib

The Grand Prize total value is over $800 - and includes everything you need to travel with your tot for years to come!

To enter, simply send a trip report, your best travel tip, or (in case you’ve yet to travel or yet to have a tot!), tell us your dream family destination at win@havebabywilltravel.com by Mother’s Day - Sunday May 10, 2009.

The winners will be chosen in a random draw on Monday May 11, 2009 and will be contacted by e-mail.  Please, only one entry per submission - multiple entries require multiple submissions.  Odds of winning depend on the numbers of entries received. There is no cost to the winners. All legal residents of the 50 United States including the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older as of the time of entry and legal residents of Canada, over the age of majority in their province/territory of residence, as of time of entry, excluding residents of The Province of Quebec, are eligible to enter the giveaway.

There’s getting there and getting around… Getting there means you have to carry all your stuff and your little one, and getting around once you’re there means making sure you have the gear necessary to enjoy yourself.  There seems to be the stroller camp, and the carrier camp - and never the twain shall meet.  I’m in the middle - they both have their pros and cons for different reasons.  For me, in the airport, a stroller is indispensable.  I can load it up with the child AND some bags, and while she’s buckled in she has no choice but to stay put, even if she’s being difficult.  We’ve flown with our stroller on Air Canada and on the cheapest of charters and never had an issue with gatechecking it.  In Mexico it was waiting for us on the tarmac and in Cuba it was at the baggage check.  Everywhere else it was happily waiting for us at the next gate.

I probably would have used a carrier more had we had one that didn’t feel as though my back would split in half.  With this baby we’re going to invest in a good one - hopefully we’ll have better luck this time.

Getting Around:
For walks and daytrips, depending on the age of your little one, you’ll want both.  Some will still argue the case for just one or the other but having both gives you the most options.  Plus, carriers or slings - for the most part - don’t take up a lot of room in your luggage, so it’s not a big deal to take it along.

Even if the sidewalks or trails aren’t the most stroller-friendly, having even a lightweight one with you means you have a safe place for both eating and sleeping while you’re out and about.  Carriers or slings can become hot and uncomfortable for you both in warmer weather.  Because our daughter hated her carrier (and so did my back), and we’ve always brought along our big, bulky jogging stroller.  It does fold so we’ve been able to gate-check it (even on the cheapest charter) and it has sailed over sand, cobblestones, steep curbs and any terrain our destination has presented.  We’ve never regretted bringing it on any of our trips.

Personally I think there’s no need to invest in a stroller specifically for travel, so here’s some other nice-to-have gear to help you get around…

Trunki by Magmatic:

Family travel just got more exciting!  Wave good bye to tiring travel, tears and tantrums with a boredom busting Trunki, the world’s first ride-on kid’s suitcase!  Designed for family holidays, children can pack, sit-on and ride their own luggage, while parents can keep them in tow. 

Trunki’s light weight and durable design is hand luggage approved, with generous space inside for toys, games, books and spare clothes. Trunki is the ultimate travelling companion.

ERGObaby Carrier by ERGObaby:

This is the one we’ve decided to invest in… The ERGO baby carrier’s ergonomic design supports a correct sitting position for the baby’s hip, pelvis and spine growth. It disperses most of the baby’s weight between the hips and thighs, which helps to eliminate compression of the spine when hanging by the crotch which most other designs require. The ERGO baby also balances the baby’s weight to parents’ hips and shoulders, and alleviates physical stress for the parent.

ERGO baby recommends a weight limit of 40 pounds for its carrier; however, the carrier has been tested up to 90 pounds. Our carrier will accommodate you as long as you would like to carry and/or your baby would like to be carried. This carrier holds you child longer than most traditional carriers on the market.

Many celebs have been photographed toting their tots in an ERGObaby, including Julia Roberts, Amanda Peet, Keri Russell, Bridget Moynahan and Elizabeth Hassellbeck.

Wet Happened by Minime:

I think this is an ingenius idea!  Now that plastic bags are on their way out, this is a smart and eco-friendly way to store all the laundry that you end up making while traveling.  With the spills, diaper leaks and motion sickness that can (does) happen while you’re traveling - throw all the messy clothes into the Wet Happened bag, and then throw the bag and its contents in the wash once you’re there.  Having a couple of these would definitely make getting there and getting around a lot easier, as I’m always the one who forgets to replenish the (ever-dwindling) supply of plastic bags anyway!
Of course, all of these things are not necessities.  But, if they make your life easier while you’re away, it’s well worth the effort to lug them along.

CARES Safety Harness by Kids Fly Safe:

CARES is the only harness type child aviation safety restraint  ever certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  It is an elegantly designed belt and buckle device for kids 22-44 pounds that is easy to use and creates a safe airplane seat for your child without the hassle of carrying a 20 pound car seat.

CARES weighs just 1 pound and fits into a 6″ stuff sack!  It is simple to install, adjustable to virtually any size airplane seat, and keeps your chilid as safe as a car seat would.

It’s never occurred to me to not bring my daughter along when we’ve gone away.   Now that she’s here (and another’s on the way) we’ve had to alter our ‘dream’ destination list for a while, spend a little more thought and money on suitable accommodations (suitable for her and comfortable for us), and learn the ins and outs of flight booking to find the best flights times for the best prices.  The work’s been worth it, though.  Our journeys as a family aren’t particularly adventurous YET, but with every trip my daughter becomes a better and more seasoned traveler, and I hope the same will be true once our family expands to four. 

Every trip has taken A LOT more planning than my previous baby-free jaunts.  After all, this little human being relies on us 24-7, and none of us will enjoy ourselves if some basics aren’t looked after.  We’ve already looked at some nice-to-have gear for eating and sleeping while you’re traveling - but what about playing?

Playing:
A great thing about travel with babies and toddlers is that the new places, faces, and food are usually enough to them interested and occupied and you don’t have to think about amusing them constantly or providing them with toys to keep them busy.  However, being cooped up in a plane, train or an automobile DOES require distractions that will last for longer than 10 seconds, and once you are out and about, there may not always be somewhere safe and/or clean to sit down and play… 

The Mommy Mat by agent mommy:

The Mommy Mat is a two-sided large play mat measuring 50″x50″.  It comes in either bold prints of cotton blend or hemp/cotton on one side and polyester knit sandwiched with a waterproof, non PVC coating on the other. The Mommy Mat is machine washable and dryer safe.  For greater versatility, it rolls up easily and can be  placed into the rain or shine tube for travel. It has hooks for attaching to stroller buddy clips and a shoulder strap for when no stroller is needed. The mat with its travel case is ideal for trips to the park, the beach, a play-date or dinner party.

The Mommy Mat will find many uses in the home and anywhere mommies want the baby or toddler to have a safe play space.

The Snack & Play Travel Tray by Star Kids:

How many times have you contorted yourself in an airplane seat to retrieve an errant crayon, or seriously compromised your safety by reaching for a dropped sippy while driving? The Snack & Play Travel Tray helps eliminate all that by providing a flat, safe area for children to eat and play.

Snack & Play Travel Tray is ideal for short and long trips. It smunches up small and weighs less than 1lb - works for strollers too!

Aqua Doodle Travel ‘N Doodle by Spinmaster:

When it is time to hit the road, you can keep your little one occupied on the go with Travel ‘N Doodle. It is the same Aquadoodle fun in an easy-to-carry, compact format. Travel Doodle features 2 doodle surfaces and a doodle pen for mess free fun. Watch the designs disappear in minutes for a clean doodle surface.

Aquadoodle’s Travel Doodle folds up to the size of a book and the pens are filled with plain water, so there’s no mess to worry about when your tot decides the walls of the plane need some decoration!

For the time being at least, the days of traveling light are long gone…  Just as I wondered how such a tiny person would have so many things to quickly fill and clutter-up our tiny city house, I also wondered how all of a sudden we have the same amount of luggage as J. Lo (except ours is not Louis Vuitton and we have to schlep it ourselves).  Come to think of it, J. Lo now has twins - can you imagine what her luggage cart looks like?

We’ve looked at some nice-to-have gear when it comes to feeding baby on your travels, now let’s take a look at sleeping… 

Sleeping:
Co-sleeping/bed sharing never really worked for us (more like co-thrashing-around/bed hogging), so a safe place to sleep away from home was important for us.  Our first experience with a hotel crib was not a good one, so from then on we’ve always brought something with us.  Not all playpens are as lightweight as ours, though, so it may be worth it to invest in one of the really portable ‘tent-like’ travel cots.  Many of them have a high UV protection rate in their fabric as well, making them ideal to bring to the beach for naps!

On our latest trip our daughter was too big for a playpen, so we bought what can be described as a sleeping bag with a built-in air mattress.  She thought it was fun, but it was not a suitable bed for anything more than the occasional nap.  We ended up putting her in a regular bed with an assortment of furniture and pillows for makeshift bedrails, but upon our return I’ve learned of a number of travel bedrail options, so we’ll give one of those a try on our next jaunt.

Baby Travel Gear For Sleeping:

The PeaPod Plus by KidCo.

Whether you have an infant or ‘big kid’ the PeaPod Plus is the perfect travel bed. For short trips across town when naptime nears, or long cross-country vacations, the PeaPod Plus becomes your child’s own portable bedroom. And it’s so lightweight even your child can carry it.

The inflatable air mattress helps protect from cold, hard surfaces (inside or out) and provides a comfortable place to sleep or play. Great for outdoors because of its UV protection and adjustable wind screens. Sleeping bag unzips completely to form a one piece sleeping pad. A large front zipper panel allows parents quick access to infants or easy in/out for older kids. The slick, easy to fold design makes it ideal for storage and use at a moment’s notice.

Bed Bugz by Toddler Coddler

Get rid of those hard metal bedrails! Create a cozy, safe atmosphere for your children and prevent them from falling out of bed. Our award-winning inflatable BedBugz bed bolster replaces the traditional hard rails and attaches to any type of bed in a snap! It fits up to a double-size mattress. O Lightweight enough to take on the go. BedBugz is also great for hotel rooms or at Grandma’s house.

The inflatable BedBugz bed bolster replaces the traditional hard rails and attaches to any type of bed in a snap. Great for families on the go. One BedBugz bed bolster is included in each package.

In my ’20s I traveled for 6 weeks through Europe with one backpack that I carried myself.  For our week-long honeymoon, my husband and I took one large suitcase between us.  Just over 2 years later, my husband, 11-month-old daughter, and I had an overflowing luggage cart that held 2 large suitcases (overweight), 2 stuffed-to-the-brim carry-ons, and a car seat.  In hindsight, we should have added our playpen to the pile, since the hotel-issued crib for that trip was pretty wobbly.

My husband was mortified, but he soon realized that this wasn’t just me bringing along 10 pairs of shoes I’d never wear… we NEEDED this stuff!  We were traveling to Cuba, where baby items that we deem necessities are difficult to come by, so the bags were stuffed with diapers, lotions, potions, baby food, bottles, food, etc.  I’ll grant that I do tend to over-prepare and over-think things, but the point of getting away is to have a break, so with these things taken care of you can start to relax once you’re there.

In our subsequent travels with our daughter, I’ve learned that there are some things that can make your life a whole lot easier while you’re away with baby - for eating, sleeping, playing, and getting around…

Eating:
I’m not talking bottles and baby food here - I’m guessing you’ll have that covered.  But depending on where you’ll be staying, you’ll need to make sure there’s a safe place for baby to sit to eat (or at least allow you to eat!)  Most larger hotels and resorts have high chairs, but not all local restaurants do.  If there are high chairs, there may not be enough to go around.  Your lap is always an option, but one-handed meals for any length of time are bound to become annoying, so if you’re not sure about the availability of high chairs, there are a number of lightweight travel booster seats on the market that can attach to most tables and/or chairs.  Don’t forget to pack a couple of wipeable bibs as well, unless your tot has better table manners than mine!

Baby Travel Gear for Eating…

HandySitt by minui:

The HandySitt(tm) is a portable and fully-adjustable high chair with simple and sleek Scandinavian style. It is made of solid beech wood and steel which accents along the side.
     
It combines the comfort and stylishness of a full-sized booster chair with the portability and convenience of a portable booster seat. The HandySitt(tm) chair easily adjusts to fit most chairs from 12 inches to 17 3/4 inches high and folds easily for storage or use outside the home. It is the ultimate solution to your child seating needs. Installation is simple and takes just moments. 
 
Simply place the HandySitt(tm) atop your own chair, hook it onto the chair’s back and tighten the safety strap beneath the main chair’s seat for a secure fit. The three-point safety harness keeps your child securely in place. Made in Demark, this beautiful and functional chair is perfect for both travel and a permanent position in the house. It is suitable for children 9 months to 4 1/2 years old and is available in nine different color combinations.

SnackBall by booninc:

Kids and parents love this fun, sphere-shaped snack container. The rigid form protects snacks from crushing, making the Snack Ball great for travel. Two halves unscrew for easy cleaning and the lid snaps in place to keep snacks inside.

BpA-free, Phthalate-free, and PVC-free, the Snack Ball’s lid stays attached (no more lost lids!) and all toddlers love an excuse to play with their food!

Bibagogo by IsisUnders: 

The bibagogo™ is a portable, stain-resistant baby bib that travels “roll & go” style. It is a spoon, facecloth & all - a must for every Mom, Dad and Babe. The bibagogo is a perfect baby gift, school craft bib, and formal bibs for weddings, parties and special events.

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.

Don’t forget to check out my article Howling When It’s Time To Leave to survive your visit there!

Niagara’s One Night Inclusive Package!
A family of four saves $100!

Your package includes:           

Our signature ‘all-you-can-eat’ breakfast buffet
One personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut and one fountain drink for each person
Dinner buffet
2 days of water park play
FREE parking
Use promotion code INCLUSIVE when reserving your room.

Niagara’s Two Night Inclusive Package!
Stay two consecutive nights and your meals are FREE.

Your package includes:       

Our signature ‘all-you-can-eat’ breakfast buffet each morning
One personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut and one fountain drink for each person each day
Dinner buffet each evening
3 days of waterpark play
FREE parking
Use promotion code TWOINCLUSIVE when reserving your room.

The Ultimate Inclusive Package!
A family of four saves over $140!

Your package includes:           

Our signature ‘all-you-can-eat’ breakfast buffet
One personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut and one fountain drink for each person
Dinner buffet
One keep sake photo & frame
One waterpark tube (yours to keep)
Unlimited mini-golf
One Cub Club craft and 20 arcade tokens for each child
2 days of waterpark play
FREE parking
Use promotion code ULTIMATE when reserving your room.

Offer valid only at Niagara Falls, Ontario  location, March 23 - April 30, 2009, must be mentioned at time of  reservation. Limited number of rooms available for each date. May not  be valid during holiday and blackout periods or combined with any other  discount or promotional offers. Multiple night minimum stay may apply.  Offer may end at any time without notice. Must have one individual 21 years of age or older staying at the resort.

Check out more Family Things to do in Niagara Falls…

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!

Thanks for your submissions!

What’s your (and your readers) most favorite Caribbean accommodations for two moms travelling solo with toddlers? We’re trying to find somewhere to go for two moms and two toddlers (while husbands stay home to work). Could you recommend your most favorite place?It’s a last-minute plan to go during the first week of March. No more time to read trip reports and research each place, unfortunately.  If you don’t mind offering your top picks, we so would appreciate it.

Expense is an issue, as well as travel ease/simplicity and safety. As two moms, we need to go from airport to beach destination then back to airport. Though I’m more of an adventure nature back-pack traveller, I’m not with a toddler, especially without my husband. US Virgin Islands, or other Caribbean destinations (including Central America), are all fine as long we we can get the kids’ passports in time, are safe and healthy, and it’s relatively simple. Our kids love the water. And, if possible, we’d like the option of safe babysitting (even if family-owned place) so that we moms can have a break too. Both kids can sleep and play in two pack n’ plays or safe cribs, if the accommodations offer them. We don’t want to see Mayan ruins with toddlers. Nature is plenty interesting. Perhaps a little hiking. Perhaps my friend and I can switch off watching the kids while the other one of us swims and snorkels.

Thank you for your time and top suggestions! It’s soooo appreciated from two weary moms.

I’m not sure where you’re from Kristine, but my very first thought was Cuba.  It’s my first recommendation for a Caribbean destination that is safe, clean, affordable AND adaptable - you could do lots or you could do very little and still have a marvelous time.  If you’re from the US, Cuba is not a (legal) option for you YET!  If Cuba is an option for you - I highly recommend the Cameleon Villas Jibacoa, which is a totally bare-bones, incredibly inexpensive, but wonderfully relaxing place smack dab between Havana and Varadero.  It would be perfect for 2 moms with tots who just want a break from the weather without too much of a resort-ish vibe or drunken louts who never leave the swim-up bar (there isn’t one - but ever notice when there is how the people NEVER leave?  A swim-up bar is not a draw in my book!)

As I just realized you’re hoping for the first week of March, put your applications in for the kids’ passports now.  Here in Canada you can put a rush and get them in less than a week (I have a friend who got hers in 20min - no joke).  Also, since you won’t be traveling with the kids’ daddies, you’ll need notarized (or at least official-looking) letters stating that they know you are taking the kids out of the country and they are ok with that.

The Dominican Republic can also be very inexpensive, but you do have to decide whether or not to take anti-malarials.  My VERY well-traveled friend just came back and she said the beach in Punta Cana is probably the nicest she’s ever seen.

Riviera Maya in Mexico can be done at a reasonable price, is safe and clean and offers a few places that would have off-shore snorkeling.  Cozumel would be your best bet here - for price point and for snorkeling.  Try to get a flight directly into Cozumel, as the ground/ferry/ground transfers would be tough with toddlers if you’re on your own.

If your passports don’t come in time - as I just suggested to Julie - maybe give the Gulf Coast in Florida a try… Possibilities for very cheap flights for two airports (Tampa & St. Petersburg), as well as very cheap beach motel accommodation as well.

Have an amazing time with your toddler and your friend, Kristine!  I wish I had thought to do something like this when I had the time!  Please let me know if you have any further questions, and please get in touch when you get back!

My parents (active early 70s) would like to take my family (husband and me in our 30s, twin boys 7 months) on a vacation somewhere warm.  Mostly to hang out together, do some active things - swimming, hiking, walking, but in a relaxed atmosphere.  All inclusive appeals to me for the simplicity but is not necessary. We’d like to have a fridge in the room for formula and don’t want to have too hectic of travel with the twins. 

We’d like to go late March/early April if possible. Money is not a huge issue but we’d like to go somewhere reasonable.  Maybe where there are things to do without packing the boys up in the car.  Somewhere we can take the boys in a warm pool (obviously not potty trained) and not worry about disturbing anyone.  But also don’t want to be in a place where kids take over the place and we can’t bring our boys in the water.  So, the trip is more for the adults, but I would like it to be very infant friendly. 

Any suggestions?  We live in the DC area so Florida would be an easy flight.  Also don’t mind getting passports for the boys. Thanks so much!!

My very first thought was Club Med. Ixtapa Pacific is such an amazing resort and a great part of Mexico too.  It’s pretty pricey, however, and I’d feel a bit guilty about suggesting someplace so expensive on someone else’s dime.  However, their Sandpiper Florida resort is a lot more reasonably priced and you’d have a better chance of getting a good price on a flight inside the US.  Club Med Punta Cana also offers the Baby Club and baby-friendly facilities as Ixtapa Pacific and Sandpiper, but for your first getaway, you could do without the worry of vigilant mosquito defence in the Dominican Republic.  The great thing I learned about Club Meds, even the family-oriented ones, is that there’s plenty to do for the adults without kids in tow, so everyone can have a great vacation.

Since you mentioned Florida, a great option might be the Gulf Coast… Two airports from which to search for reasonable flights (Tampa & St. Petersburg), you don’t have to lug so much stuff with you as you can buy your same brands of food and formula from local stores + the option to do lots or the option to do nothing.  We had a great time at Treasure Island, but there were lots of shells in the sand that would be a bit of a worry for younger babies.  Clearwater Beach has sand like baby powder, and I’ve heard similar about North Redington Beach just down the road.

At 7mos., babies don’t really care where they are, so long as they’re with their parents, so the main focus should be on what you, your husband and your parents like to do, and just make sure that babies will be welcomed when you’re doing it.  The beach and pool are perfect, and you can go for a stroll around your hotel grounds or the local ‘drag’.  One thing I will mention is that if the boys have an early bedtime, try to make sure your room has a bit of a terrace or balcony where you and your husband can escape to with a couple of drinks and a lovely view.  After a day of sun, surf, and sand, your babes are likely to crash, and then you get to spend some quality time together too!

Have an awesome time, Julie, wherever you decide to go.  If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  And make sure to tell us all about it when you get back!

Now some of the other lakes you may be familiar with, even if you’ve never been… The top of Lake Joseph is called ‘Billionaire’s Row’.  Pretty much every single Toronto Maple Leaf has a place on Lake Muskoka. Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell, Steven Spielberg, Martin Short, and Tom Hanks all have properties on Lake Rosseau - and now you can stay there too!

Whether guests are looking for a romantic getaway under the stars or an outdoor adventure, The Rosseau, the newly opened JW Marriott Resort & Spa in the heart of Muskoka, offers a number of great activities the whole family will love, not only on Valentine’s Day weekend, but throughout the month of February. 

Set high on a bluff overlooking picturesque Lake Rosseau, The Rosseau offers guests a spectacular winter escape with activities, restaurants, spa services, amenities, stunning scenery and exceptional service that are sure to beat the winter blues.

“In addition to the breathtaking views to soothe the mind and soul, we have a number of winter activities that will bring out the nature lover in anyone,” says Leah Leslie, Director of Sales and Marketing, The Rosseau. “But if indoors is more your thing, The Rosseau offers an unpretentious surrounding that engages guests with our simple, organic foods, spa services and workshops with local artisans, authors and craftspeople. We want our guests to experience nature on their terms.”

In surroundings of comfortable luxury, The Rosseau appeals to those seeking a unique atmosphere in a grand hotel setting.

Just two and a half hours away from Toronto, the JW Marriott is located in the heart of Muskoka”s Red Leaves resort community. Guests of The Rosseau will appreciate the unspoiled beauty of pristine Northern Ontario.

Some activities planned throughout February include:

February 14 and 15

Family Ice Fishing Excursions  -  February 14 & 15

No fishing license required - Departing every hour from Wallace Marina, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Make Your Own Fishing Rod - February 14 & 15 - Wallace Marina, 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.В 

Miniature Boat Building  - February 14 - At Butson Boats, 2:00 p.m.

Classical Guitar with Dr. Alvin Tung – February 14 - Muskoka Room, The Rosseau, 8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  

Fishing Lure Lecture - February 15 - Wallace Marina with Dr. Alvin Tung, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.

Chocolate Making  -  February 15 - The Rosseau, 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

February 20 & 22

“Beat the February Blues” weekend

Snowmobile Safari to the Village of Rosseau for the Annual Dog Sled Run

February 21, 10:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. 

Live Blues Music at the Marina

February 27 & 28

Below Zero - Pole to Pole

Journey to the Arctic with Pat Fairhead

Friday, February 27, 8:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 28, 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

Watercolour Workshop  -  The Colours of Ice and Snow with Pat Fairhead - Saturday, February 28, 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

Journey to Antarctica with Naturalist Robin Tapley - Saturday, February 28, Cottages Restaurant, 7:00 p.m.

Winter Weekend Menu, Scandinavian Style

For more information on The Rosseau or to inquire about bookings for this resort, please visit www.jwrosseau.com.

I have to admit, it sounds pretty fabulous (well, maybe not the fishing lure lecture - Sorry Dr. Alvin!) and the idea of a winter weekend away at a luxurious resort is a good one right now!  Just so long as Scatman Crothers isn’t the handyman!

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