https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:02:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2102023 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 09:38:42 +0000 lamariniere 2102023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: in Barcelona the trains are pretty big, but not all stations have elevators (but if you don't have a stroller, no problem). The bus system was pretty easy to figure out though, and that was a good way to get around. The Paris metro is extremely well connected, but there are practically no elevators and tons of stairs. The trains are fairly small (narrow) compared to other big cities. I love taking the bus in Paris because you can see everything, but it can be a little complicated to figure out the routes since there isn't always a bus map posted. I don't remmeber what it's like in Barcelona, but a weekly metro+bus pass in Paris is extremely affordable or you can buy a pack of 10 tickets or individual tickets.</p> <p>Eta: the Paris metro had no a/c, so it can get really hot and unpleasant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2102005 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 09:32:34 +0000 MenagerieMama 2102005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Thanks! Unless LO decides to hate being carried I think I will wear her the whole time. We aren't big stroller people. That's a good point about diapers! We cloth diaper but certainly won't do that traveling abroad and I suppose it's not logical to pack 2 weeks worth of diapers. We are usually low key travelers as it is, pre-LO we usually backpack, stay in hostels and then just walk/wander the city and go into a few attractions for entertainment. So we'll have pretty low expectations of what we need to achieve while we have LO with us. I'm assuming easy public transport in both cities? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2101995 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 09:28:26 +0000 lamariniere 2101995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: whatever you do, don't take anything bigger than an umbrella stroller, especially for Paris. </p> <p>In Barcelona, we stayed in the Eixample neighborhood and found it to be really pleasant, close to transport, tons of shops and restaurants. You must go to the Picasso museum. Strolling around the beach area is really nice, I bet it will be packed in summer (it was October when we went). I will dig up specific restaurants when I get a chance. </p> <p>As for Paris, I used to live there and spent time as a nanny there. :grin: Most places in central Paris will be fine, some parts of the 17th and 18th districts are really nice for tourists as are the 11th and 12th districts. Since your LO will still be pretty young, I would just suggest doing what you want to do and then try to follow her lead as to naps and down time. On the whole, Paris is very safe, so not much to worry about there. Not many restaurants have high chairs, so be prepared for that. But take advantage of the markets and have lots of picnicks! I would be happy to give more details about Paris, just wall me if you think of anything.</p> <p>Also, for logistics, in Spain I could only find ENORMOUS packs of diapers, like 70-80 count. In Paris you will be able to find normal 30-40ct packs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2101966 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 09:11:25 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2101966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: the best thing we did was buy a pass for the Barcelona City Tour bus (barcelonacitytour.com). The routes go to a lot of major tourist destinations, but you can hop on and off the bus all day, so you pick and choose what you want to explore and for how long and it's not a guided tour, so if LO gets fussy, you can leave right then. The other thing I would suggest is getting to the Sagrada Familia early. The line gets really long, really fast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2101962 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 09:09:38 +0000 jhd 2101962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: we used this site to book an apartment in Paris for our honeymoon in 2010. We stayed in the Louvre studio. Maybe not big enough with a LO but it was awesome! </p> <p><a href="http://www.parisflatrent.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.parisflatrent.com</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2101951 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 09:04:02 +0000 MenagerieMama 2101951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: @mrs.shinerbock: We decided on a week in Barcelona, then high speed train for another week in Paris! We're going to find a rental in each on VRBO. We don't have my husband's job/post doc plans finalized yet so I'm nervous to make plans but places are filling up quick! Any particular suggestions for areas to be near or places to do would be great :) Hopefully LO still loves adventures and being worn at 9.5 mo as she does now at 5.5 mo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2101074 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:33:18 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2101074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used VRBO for a rental in Barcelona (pre-LO) and it was super easy and the apartment was wonderful. I loved Barcelona and it was very easy to get around and we saw lots of people out walking with their strollers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2100967 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:05:29 +0000 Rockies11 2100967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: we were in London in March of last year for 2 weeks with our 10 month oldd, just staying in a hotel. Super easy to get around, lots of kid friendly stuff to do, great experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2100958 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:01:07 +0000 lamariniere 2100958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: We took our to LOs to Barcelona this past October. It was really wonderful! There are plenty of great neighborhoods to stay in and explore and tons to see and do and it's fairly kid friendly. The only downside is the late night eating culture. We would go to restaurants at 8 and they would be empty. The bright side was that we could always get a table and service and we weren't bothering anyone, but the downside was that they restaurants were empty except for people having pre-dinner drinks! I would be happy to give you recommendations if you end up going. (We are going back to the Barcelona region later this spring). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2100946 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:55:21 +0000 MenagerieMama 2100946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: thanks that's super helpful. That was my concern with July as well. DHA loves Barcelona and I've never been so that might be good. We went to Vienna together so I think we want something different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2100931 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:44:21 +0000 lamariniere 2100931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Europe (Austria) and have family in France and we've been fortunate enough to be able to travel pretty frequently to other countries. We've had good luck renting through Air BnB. Depending on where you decide, you could have really hot weather or decent weather in July. The last two summers have been unseasonably lukewarm in Austria and France (and most of Europe). Some places I would consider are Barcelona, Lisbon, Copenhagen and Stockholm, or Corsica. Vienna is also extremely child friendly with plenty to do in the summer :happy: . Another thing to keep in mind is that July and August are usually packed with tourists, so it's a good idea to start looking for accommodation early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2100884 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:21:51 +0000 tinyperson 2100884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were in Nice a few years ago and there were LOTS of kids around...lots of strollers on the boardwalk. We didn't have an LO at the time, but it looked pretty stroller/baby friendly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2100860 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:08:57 +0000 sunny 2100860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds fun! We traveled to Europe with our LO at 7-8 months. We did a week of sightseeing in London and then stayed with family for 2 weeks. Renting a vacation rental sounds like a solid plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-travel-wlo#post-2100850 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:02:13 +0000 MenagerieMama 2100850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So we are going to be leaving the east coast and moving back to the west coast this summer,and wanted to take a trip to Europe with LO before we left to capitalize on the quicker flight (and we love to travel and figure this is our last window of time before challenging toddler/multiple LOs stage). Originally we were thinking a cruise but we would have to pay for LO as well and apparently DH wants to be abroad at least 2 weeks so that is seeming to get too pricey. LO will be 9-10 mo at the time FWIW. </p> <p>We're thinking of renting somewhere in the somewhat country, Greece and Italy being two top contenders, and just hanging out with some day trips. I've done a lot of VRBO renting domestically (and Mexico) and travel like this, but not in Europe! Any suggestions of ways to rent? Any suggestions on where we should do it?</p> <p>I'm the vacation planner and to be honest I was liking the package deal aspect of the cruise but DH really wants to do this alternative plan and it is sort of his PhD graduation trip so I'd like to see how I could make it work. But of course it means I need to do all the planning...</p> <p>ETA: Particular thoughts on locales while traveling in July would be great! We've done central Europe together so I think we're thinking more western this time. </p>